Queen Mary students gain global experience through outgoing summer 2025 programmes
Between June and September, 66 Queen Mary students from across all three Faculties spent two to eight weeks abroad this summer through academic, cultural, and professional experiences in China, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey, the Netherlands, and the United States.
2025 Global Leadership Summer Programme (GLSP) participants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Through these international experiences, coordinated by the Global Partnerships and Opportunities (GPO) team, our students developed key employability and intercultural skills while immersing themselves in new academic and cultural environments.
Participants joined either GO Summer!, the Global Leadership Summer Programme (GLSP) delivered in collaboration with Common Purpose, or the Spelman College Summer Exchange in Atlanta. These opportunities are supported by the University’s Turing Scheme funding, which from 2026 will expand to include cost-of-living and travel grants for disadvantaged students taking part in short-term mobility programmes abroad lasting as little as two weeks.
Pre- and post-programme surveys conducted by GPO show strong gains in key skills valued by employers. Students from Widening Participation backgrounds reported higher confidence, communication, and adaptability, with notable increases of over 30% in intercultural awareness and empathy. Overall, employability and job-readiness improved by around 18%, underlining the impact of these international experiences.
MA Heritage Management student Niranda, who studied Dutch art and history at Utrecht University, said:
“I would highly recommend studying abroad. The programme gave me the opportunity to see things from a new perspective. You can choose a programme that complements your current studies or try something entirely new — either way, the experience will broaden your horizons. It’s also a great chance to challenge yourself and develop valuable life skills. Learning to travel alone, for example, is something that really boosts your confidence.”
BSc Biochemistry student Shannon, who took part in the Spelman College Summer Exchange and now works as a GO Ambassador with the GPO team, said:
“The programme gave me the chance to explore heritage sites, experience campus life at Spelman, and reflect on how shared learning across cultures can shape both academic and personal growth. It was also wonderful to reunite with the Spelman students who joined us in London earlier this summer — experiencing both sides of the exchange made it a full-circle moment!”
MEng Aerospace Engineering with Industrial Experience student Emmanuel, who spent a month studying Global Business as part of Tecnológico de Monterrey’s iSummerMX programme, added:
“It was one of the most life-changing experiences I’ve had, both academically and personally. Studying global business in Mexico pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as a communicator and team member. [...] If you’re open to growth and challenge, I’d absolutely recommend going abroad — you’ll come back with more than just knowledge; you’ll come back changed.”
Find out more about these opportunities on the GO Abroad Outgoing page, and discover more stories from our summer 2025 students on Instagram at @qmulgo