A group of staff and students from Forth Valley College took part in an educational visit to the roof of the world in Nepal recently, with the help of Turing Scheme funding and LCCI Global Qualifications.
As part of the UK Government’s Turing Scheme, the FVC students were able to embark on life changing experiences around the world this year, after being successful in securing £117,000 funding for academic year 2025/26.
This has supported students and staff to also visit Japan and Norway, and help a new group to make a return trip to Nepal, where a party of FVC students and staff benefitted from a very successful educational trip in February 2025.
The visits offered students opportunities to enhance their skills within an international setting, whilst also improving their cultural awareness and understanding of common global issues. These skills are highly valued in the workplace and will ensure they are fully equipped for today’s rapidly changing labour market.
Students mainly from FVC’s range of Business Management courses had the opportunity to apply for one of the sought-after places to Nepal, and they made the most of their visit from January 31 - February 17, hosted by LCCI Global Qualifications.
During the trip they visited AITM College and were introduced to its programmes and students, found out more about their innovative Early Genius programme structure and this was followed up later in the trip with visits to some of their Early Genius Schools. They also immersed themselves in cultural learning, sampling Nepalese cuisine, travelling to places such as Chobhar and the Patan Durbar Square which is a Unesco World Heritage site.
The Chitwan Brewery visit proved popular and that was followed by a safari experience at the Chitwan National Park, where the FVC students found out about biodiversity and attained an understanding of eco-tourism.
Cultural tourism was to the fore as well, with a trip to Pokhora and they were able to share and discuss their newfound business knowledge when they met with the Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs Forum.
And before they completed their once in a lifetime journey they were delighted to see how the iconic capital Kathmandu’s heritage and business evolution, has developed over the years to become an extremely popular tourist destination.
The group also met with the British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn.
Kerry-Ann Dickson (23), from Falkirk, who is studying for a HND Accounting, said: “The time it was great, the experiences and the friends I have made has made the time so much better. I won't ever get the chance to do this again and with everyone and everything it has made me a better person.”
Marta Styczynska (32) from Falkirk, who is studying for a NQ Business Management with Digital Technologies, said: “The opportunity I received from the college to participate in the external education trip to Nepal was an incredible experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
“From the very beginning, people were kind, friendly and very helpful. One example that really touched me happened about a week before the trip. I had my birthday in Scotland and even my close friend forgot about it, but people who had only just met me remembered. They prepared a cake for me and for a few other people celebrating birthdays and sang ‘Happy Birthday’. It showed how much they think about others and how positive their attitude is.
“During the trip I learned about their culture, history, how they start businesses and their way of teaching. This helped me understand the difficulties they face in everyday life and the challenges they deal with.
“I also had the chance to meet students in Nepal. We spent a lot of time talking, sharing our experiences and learning from each other. I made new connections and friendships, and we now keep in touch on Facebook. I’m really looking forward to the day when they come to Scotland so we can meet again.
“I was also amazed by how proud they are of their country and how they take care of their culture. In most restaurants and hotels you don’t walk into modern luxury or glamour – you walk into a place that truly reflects Nepal and its traditions.
“Nepalese people seem to find joy in everything – waking up in the morning, the sun shining, and even when it rains because it gives water to the flowers. And when they pray, they rarely pray for themselves but for others.
“In my opinion, even though Nepal is still a developing country - and believe me, it is on a very good path - we can learn a lot from them. I came back as a different person – more grateful and trying to see more positive things in life. Thank you Leanne, Tricia, Kim and Suzanne for giving me this opportunity.”
Carrieanne Craig (36), from Falkirk, a single parent mother of three, studying for a HND Accounting qualification, said: “Nepal for me was a life-changing experience. I never believed I would ever be able to go to such a beautiful country. I am so grateful to FVC and The Turing Funding Scheme for gifting me with this experience.
“The country was overwhelmingly beautiful and strikingly spiritual. My favourite part was when we climbed to the top of the Kallupande Hill and could see the Himalayan mountain range. The views were so stunning, and it made me extremely emotional to be viewing it with my own eyes. It looked like a picture! I could not fathom that it was real. I've never felt so grounded at 11,000ft and it is so difficult to describe the feelings I felt up there.
“I also enjoyed the friendships I created among fellow students, but also the students from the AITM college who we now follow and catch up with on social media. The difference in lifestyle in Nepal was eye opening. The way businesses operate and the rate of pay and price of things over there seems like pennies to us, but for them, a monthly wage can average around £100, which I thought was shocking but it never seemed to phase the Nepalise people.
“I have never met a more friendly, welcoming and helpful culture. From the moment we arrived, our every need was taken care of. Their hospitality is second to none and they are always so happy and honoured to be able to assist with anything we needed help with. There were emotional ups and downs throughout the trip, but overall this trip has changed the way I think about life, how grateful I am to have what I've got in life and taught me to slow down and enjoy the moment rather than rushing through life at a million miles an hour.”
Atlas Reid (20), from Grangemouth, who is on the HND Business with Information Technology course and who also took some of the photos included in the carousel, said: “Nepal was such a life-changing trip for me! I was deeply immersed in the culture and kindness that the people of Nepal offered us during the trip. The country is a beautiful place that people should consider when going abroad - for a first time trip, I regret nothing and will cherish the memories and friends I made there.”
Patricia Setchfield, FVC Business lecturer who accompanied the students on the trip, said: “It was a privilege to join the students in Nepal, I was most excited about sharing this experience with student who may not have had an opportunity if it were not for the Turing Scheme Fund.
“This trip not only allowed for relationships and bonds to be developed, but a greater understanding of how a mix of cultures can come together to work for a better future, by respecting differences in values and beliefs and using those differences as the strengths they are. We were able to see the country from different perspectives as well as the different stages of development it is currently going through.
“Speaking with the British Ambassador, visiting businesses and education establishments allowed a lot of the students learning from their course to be contextualised by linking our approach in the UK to that of Nepal, which will help the students as they move further with their own studies. However, it was the personal growth in some of the students that I am most proud of. This came from the greater level of understanding we were given into the main religions of Nepal, as this linked to everywhere we visited from the mountains, to the safari and the temples, to Nepal’s rich historical sites.
“Thank you to the hosts and all the people who took the time to share their country with us. Also a big thank you to the FVC students who embraced this opportunity.”
Kim Reid, FVC’s School Partnership Manager who also travelled, who provided many of the photos of the trip, said: “This was such an amazing experience to share with the students. Nepal is a beautiful country and one I would never have considered visiting, but it has so much to offer.
“It is a developing nation, yet their passion for entrepreneurial business and the mindset they have is incredible. Most businesses are small and family-run, and in Kathmandu, where we were based, it is very different from our cities, which are mostly filled with chain stores. Small business is a huge part of Nepalese culture, so the students were able to explore start-up costs as well as ongoing expenses such as wages and tax. Finding out about take-home pay and the cost of essentials like rent, food, and electricity was eye-opening.
“Seeing their education system was also very interesting. We are incredibly lucky with the access to education we have here, whereas many schools in Nepal are private. Their national basic education system is still developing, and many young people leave school by the age of 12 to work and support their families. We were fortunate to visit one of the basic schools and were treated to a cultural dance by the pupils.
“Nepalese people are incredibly helpful and friendly, and they were so kind to staff and students throughout our visit. A massive thank you to our hosts, who supported and guided us every step of the way. They truly made it a trip to remember.”
Suzanne Galloway, Learning, Teaching & Quality Manager, who also visited Nepal, added: “This was truly an experience of a lifetime for both students and staff. The visit offered valuable insight into Nepal’s rich culture, education system, business environment and wider economy, and how closely culture shapes business practices and entrepreneurship. There was so much for both students and staff to learn from Nepal, particularly through the warmth of the people, their resilience, and the way values are reflected in everyday life and business.
“We explored education from early years through to degree-level study, including courses accredited by Qualifications Scotland, alongside visits to cultural, tourism and hospitality-based businesses. Meeting with the British Ambassador, Rob Fenn, the President of the Pokhara Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs Forum, and a wide range of tourism and hospitality business owners gave students and staff a real sense of the challenges businesses face in Nepal, as well as the determination and entrepreneurial spirit that drives them forward.
“Through workshops delivered by LCCI Global Qualifications, Forth Valley College students connected with Nepalese students, grew in confidence and formed meaningful international friendships and connections.
“As a developing country, Nepal offered powerful learning far beyond the classroom. Students returned more confident, more globally aware and better prepared for an increasingly interconnected world. I would like to thank everyone involved in supporting and delivering this unforgettable experience.”
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