Project background:English is part of the curriculum for business management assistants at vocational schools with one lesson per week. More and more trainees see themselves confronted with communication in English. Due to rising internationalization and globalization we see the need to qualify our students for these challenges. This is most efficient in an authentic surrounding where you can experiece and acquire new skills in a direct way. Above all, trainees who have not had the opportunity of being supported, i.e. especially not through European exchange programmes, should be enabled to profit from this project.Learning outcomes:The participants are expected to deepen both their general and business knowledge of English during the 3-week-course at the European College of Business and Management (ECBM) in London. With the project-related work they shall be encouraged to work on their own, improve their presentation skills as well as develop team-spirit qualifications which are essential in a modern business world. Moreover, we want the participants to improve their language competence and gain valuable intercultural experience, build up a healthy self-confidence and develop self-worthiness not only for their professional career. Closely connected we see the project as a door-opener to a positive attitude towards life-long learning and minimizing internal barriers when it comes to work abroad.Participants: Amount and Profile:The 20 participants are training to become business management assistants in industry concentrating on the commercial side of the business. They have served at least about half of their traineeship of two and a half respectively three years already. They have gained basic practical experience, a solid knowledge of English, which mainly results from a secondary education, partly higher secondary or A-levels. Their language skills are above average. Basic task-related vocabulary has been acquired at vocational school. There is also a basic knowledge of intercultural communication - partly achieved at vocational school. Activities / Implementation:The course at the ECBM includes lessons as well as group work on projects (assisted by tutors). The students' tasks also include research activities (field, internet, and other) and a presentation on a chosen subject which is part of the examination. A written executive summary has to follow the presentation. The cultural aspects include an overview on British and London politics, economy and society in lessons as well as excursions with the ECBM. At a personal level the participants will be enabled to experience another culture, life in another household and host family, a completely new surrounding in a world city thus learning to understand, respect and accept other people. Their language skills will profit immensely not only from the stay at the college but the contact to and within host families as well as managing daily life. The teachers from vocational school accompanying and monitoring the project will take them on cultural tours, e.g. tours of the city, visit museums, concerts, theatre plays, typical markets or sports events, and a trip to Brighton as an example of British seaside resorts.Results / Long-term outcomes:On the long run this project will help improve the participants to develop skills which will enhance performance in the workplace as well as be of personal benefit for the students. They shall be encouraged to see work abroad as part of their business life and accept life-long learning as an essential part of a professional career. The project may as well serve as a signal to other students. Implementing our corporate philosophy we see this project as a contribution to an international, modern, and progressiv educational and business region.