International students discover the Outer Hebrides through UHI North, West and Hebrides
UHI North, West and Hebrides has welcomed students from Heinrich Hertz Vocational College in Düsseldorf, Germany, to the Outer Hebrides for an international learning experience that has taken them from the classroom into island communities
Since arriving in Stornoway on 5 September, the group has spent two weeks experiencing local culture, meeting businesses and organisations, taking part in educational activities and exploring communities across the islands.
The students received a warm welcome to UHI North, West and Hebrides from Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive, who addressed the group in German and English, before they began their programme of activities across the Outer Hebrides.
The visit gave the students an insight into the distinctive learning and career opportunities available on the islands, while allowing them to experience the communities, culture and environment of the Outer Hebrides first-hand.
Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said:
“The college’s visit has become an annual institutional part of our international relationships with Germany, and we are really delighted that we can welcome another cohort of students this year. Partnerships like this are really important to us. I really value the connection that we have between our two colleges and hope we can grow that in the years ahead.”
Roddy Ferguson, Curriculum Manager for Engineering said:
“It was a pleasure once again to welcome students from Heinrich Hertz College in Düsseldorf to the Outer Hebrides. The group had a packed itinerary visiting cultural sites, industries, and college campuses throughout the island chain. Visits like this give young people the chance to experience island life, culture and education while strengthening valuable international connections between our institutions. We look forward to continuing to develop this relationship in the future."
A key focus of the programme was hydrogen and renewable energy, reflecting the growing importance of these sectors across the islands. The students took part in an introduction to hydrogen at the college, including practical activities involving hydrogen-powered technology, before visiting BASF in Callanish, where they undertook a laboratory exercise involving hydrogen.
The group also visited Point and Sandwick Trust's community wind farm, learning about renewable energy and the benefits it can bring to local communities. They also visited the Arnol peat monitoring station, exploring the relationship between the environment, land management and the islands' developing energy sector.
Learning extended beyond technical and vocational subjects, with the students experiencing the distinctive culture and heritage of the Outer Hebrides. Their programme included a Gaelic presentation and Highland dancing, visits to Museum nan Eilean and Lews Castle, and activities across Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra.
The students also visited a range of local organisations and businesses, including Hebridean Seaweed, ISHGA, A.S. Apothecary and Uist Wool, giving them an insight into the diversity of island industries and the ways in which local businesses operate within a remote and distinctive environment.
Their experience also included exploring the islands' marine heritage, with a boat trip from Grimsay and a visit to the Ceann na h-Airigh maritime museum, as well as a visit to a local distillery.
The group's time in the Outer Hebrides concluded with a traditional ceilidh, giving the students an opportunity to experience local music, dancing and community life before returning to Germany.
The visit demonstrated how UHI North, West and Hebrides can provide international students with learning experiences that extend beyond the traditional classroom, connecting education with local businesses, communities, culture and emerging industries.
Jayne Macleod, Gaelic Officer at UHI North, West and Hebrides led Gaelic and Dancing activities for the group.
She said: “It was an absolute pleasure to teach the students from Dusseldorf some Gaelic and some Hebridean step, Highland and ceilidh dancing. As well as being science students, they were also linguists with most of them able to speak three languages. They were a friendly group with a real interest in our language and culture. During our time together, they picked up lots of Gaelic phrases, which they hope to use on the rest of their trip of the Western Isles.”