Travel and tourism students from West Nottinghamshire College have strengthened international links and broadened their understanding of responsible tourism during a week-long visit to Estonia.
Visiting historical sites in Viljandi.
The visit saw second year Level 3 Travel and Tourism learners travel to Tartu as part of an on-going partnership with Tartu Vocational (Voco) College, where students have previously taken part in work placements and cultural exchanges. The trip continues to build on this strong relationship, offering learners valuable international experience aligned with their studies.
Focusing on the theme of responsible tourism, students took part in a range of lessons, joint activities and guided tours alongside Estonian staff and learners. These experiences enabled them to explore how tourism is managed sustainably in Estonia while comparing approaches with those used in the UK.
Students outside the Voco college.
During their time in Tartu, they gained insight into the city’s cultural significance, including understanding why it was named the European Capital of Culture in 2024. The visit also provided opportunities to engage directly with Estonian students, helping to build confidence, communication skills and cultural awareness.
As part of the itinerary, the group visited the historic town of Viljandi, known for its castle ruins, lakeside setting and strong traditions in arts and folk culture. This visit allowed students to examine how smaller destinations balance tourism with preserving heritage and local identity.
Seeing the sights in Viljandi.
The final part of the trip took students to the capital city of Tallinn, where they explored the Old Town, harbour area and the iconic TV Tower. Learners were encouraged to try local cuisine and reflect on cultural differences, further enhancing their global perspective on the tourism industry.
Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing Estonia as a welcoming and inspiring destination. Several learners have maintained contact with Estonian students they met, further strengthening international connections.
Student Ellie Spier said: “What I enjoyed most about the trip was being pushed out of my comfort zone and having the opportunity to travel to a new country and experience a completely different culture.
“Visiting Voco College was a highlight – the students and staff were incredibly welcoming, and it was great to be able to communicate so easily with them.
“We spent time exploring Tartu, visiting places like the science centre and having the freedom to discover the city for ourselves, before heading to Tallinn where we experienced even more of Estonia’s culture, including the TV Tower.”
At the top of the TV tower in Tallinn.
The trip was co-ordinated by travel and tourism head of department Hannah Locke, who worked closely with Voco College to plan the visit.
Hannah said: “This visit continues to be an incredibly valuable experience for our students. It not only supports their academic studies but also helps them grow in confidence, independence and cultural understanding.
“We are proud to offer opportunities like this and look forward to continuing our partnership with Voco College in the future.”
Exploring scenic Tartu.
Four of the students who visited Estonia are now participating in a range of engaging sessions across the college’s travel, tourism and hospitality areas, while gaining valuable industry experience through work placements with the college’s Refined restaurant.
To build on their work around responsible tourism, students visited the Peak District with uniformed protective services teacher, Alan Viggers, who took them on a guided walk to the summit of Mam Tor. This gave them an opportunity to explore sustainable tourism practices within a UK context while experiencing one of the region’s most iconic landscapes.
The students followed up their responsible tourism project with a trip to Mam Tor in the Peak District.
The college hopes to continue offering the Estonia visit to future cohorts, building on the success of this year’s trip and further strengthening its international collaborations.