Netherlands 

It was an amazing week. Extremely busy but really worthwhile. Chloe and I met the whole teaching team of their Music Department, sat in and co-taught on classes with 1st Year, 2nd Year and 3rd Year students. We also met with, interviewed and auditioned the 6 students who will be coming to us in March. We made plans for their upcoming visit to us and for our KA1 trip to them next January, including work experience. In addition we met the Course Directors of their Event Management and Stage Crew & Sound Engineering Courses. We had a meeting about course design, electives, student retention and engagement. We also had a meeting about sustainability and their plans for a future green campus. We saw their students performing at The Three Sisters music venue as part of Eurosonic Music Festival and we attended the Music Industry Conference together on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.   

As a team, we are really looking forward to further developing our exchange programme with Noorderpoort. I meet with my Dutch counterpart on Teams regularly and we keep nudging our plans along.

It was a privilege to have the opportunity to meet in person, carry out reconnaissance for our students next year and deliver on our plans. The whole experience was exceptional and I am personally very grateful for the opportunity afforded to me.

Lara Norris