First and second year Business students from TyneMet College recently returned from an exciting international trip to Disneyland Paris where they attended the inspiring Business Live 2026 conference.
The trip took place from Saturday 21st February to Wednesday 25th February, with students travelling to France by ferry on Saturday before beginning their packed itinerary.
On Sunday, students enjoyed a full day exploring Disneyland Paris, making the most of the park’s famous rides and attractions.
The highlight of the visit came on Monday, when students attended the Business Live 2026 conference. Throughout the day they heard from a range of inspiring guest speakers who shared insights into different areas of the business world.
Among the speakers were Sean Spooner, who delivered an engaging session on digital marketing strategies, and Jess Malley, who spoke about the importance of equality and diversity within modern organisations. Students also had the opportunity to hear from the Head of HR for Disney Global, gaining valuable insight into one of the world’s most recognised brands.
The conference opened up students to a wide range of career pathways within the business sector, helping them understand the range of opportunities available in areas such as marketing, human resources and leadership.
Students also took advantage of the networking opportunities provided at the event, speaking directly with guest speakers after their talks. Their enthusiasm and initiative were widely praised, with several speakers complimenting the group for staying behind to ask thoughtful questions and learn more about their career journeys.
Beyond the conference itself, the trip also helped students develop their personal and professional skills. Travelling internationally together encouraged them to build confidence, strengthen their time management and leadership abilities as well as create strong bonds within the group.
Deputy Head of Department, Dawn McLean said:
This is the second time we’ve organised this trip for our Business students, with the first taking place in 2025, and it definitely won’t be the last. It’s an incredible opportunity for our students to gain valuable business insights while also experiencing how the real business world operates beyond the classroom.
Students themselves also described the experience as both enjoyable and educational with second-year business T Level student, Isabelle Holroyd commenting:
My college trip to Disneyland Paris was an unforgettable experience that really strengthened our class relationships and brought us all closer together as friends. Spending time outside the classroom helped us bond in a different way, and the rides were brilliant, giving us loads of laughs and memories we’ll never forget. As well as the fun, the business conference was really educational and gave us a valuable insight into successful business owners. Overall, the trip was the perfect mix of enjoyment and learning.
The trip proved to be a memorable and valuable experience, combining the excitement of an international visit with meaningful opportunities to learn directly from professionals in the business world.
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