In May 2026 Edinburgh College Childhood Practice staff and students gave a very warm welcome to students and staff from the University of Florida.
As part of a studying abroad partnership, students from University of Florida came to the Edinburgh College’s new Childhood practice hub to share, collaborate and discuss health inequalities and early interventions in Scotland and USA.
University of Florida and Edinburgh College students enjoyed a day of interactive fun ice-breaker games, presentations, group discussions and creative activities.
The day kicked off with a fun game of ice-breaker bingo which saw students getting to know each other and putting their collaborative working skills into practice.
The Florida students brought the brilliant weather with them, so the days activities were enjoyed in the hub as well as the sunny outdoors!
Throughout the day there were wonderful examples of collaborative and comparative practice as students shared differing experiences of health inequalities in US and UK from discussions on the American healthcare system and NHS to early years legislation and policy.
As part of the day our HNC Childhood Practice students showed off their presentations skills and knowledge by presenting on a range of topics related to health inequalities from ACEs and Child Poverty to Education and Wellbeing.
Students got to show off the full range of their creative thinking as we asked them to reflect on how influences to health and wellbeing could be found and represented in outdoor spaces.
The students really impressed by creating a washing line representing lifespan stages, mindful meditations, songs using natural instruments and even a poem invoking the sounds of nature.
We hope all students from both sides of the Atlantic enjoyed a memorable day of connection, creativity, and collaboration.
Huge thank you to lecturers from both Edinburgh College and University of Florida for planning, organising and co-ordinating such a successful event.