International
Find out how you can take part in an International Experience
International Girlguiding
Every year young women and adult volunteers from across the County have the opportunity to take part in exciting international adventures. Sometimes these involve travelling across borders, but international adventures can happen closer to home too. Explore some of the different ways you or your unit can experience an international journey, learn more about other cultures or meet fellow Scouts & Guides from around the world.
London South West’s County International Adviser
Hello! I’m Caroline and I’m the County’s International Adviser. My role is to promote international opportunities to the county and to support girls and leaders going on trips, for instance with grants, advice and information. I should also be your first port of call if you’re thinking of planning an international trip.
I’m lucky to have had several memorable international experiences with Girlguiding, including most recently as the LaSER Leader for the World Scout Jamboree in Korea. I’m passionate about international adventures big and small (including ones that don’t require any travel!).
You can email me on: lswinternationaladviser@gmail.com
Region events:
Every year young women and volunteers from across our Region (London and South East England) have the opportunity to explore the world on a range of exciting trips. These have included interrailing adventures in Europe, service projects, jamborees and trips exploring South East Asia. Participants (volunteers and young women) are chosen through selection events. Before the trips, groups meet for training weekends to get to know each other and prepare themselves for the trip.
County, District or Unit events
Counties, districts or units can arrange their own international adventures too. This could be a visit to a UK International Camp or Jamboree (you can find out about some upcoming events HERE), a visit to a WAGGGS World Centre or an International Evening in your unit.
Change to: Girlguiding LaSER also organise meetups in international cities that units, districts or divisions can attend as part of their trips – so far these have included Breakaway to Brussels, Escape to Edinburgh, Converge on Cardiff, and Assemble in Amsterdam.
In October 2026, the destination will be the fantastic German city of Dusseldorf. Find out more here:
World Thinking Day
is a great time to explore different cultures with the girls and young women in your unit, you could tie it into an International Day or Week or a religious or cultural special event.
Why not ask the volunteers, parents or carers of the girls in your unit if they could share something about their culture with the unit?
Other opportunities:
Regular international events such as Roverway and the World Scout Jamboree can be a great way for volunteers and young women to travel and meet Scouts & Guides from all around the world.
Adult volunteers can apply to be International Service Team (IST) volunteers, where you help with the running of the event – roles could include supporting adventurous activities, catering, facilities management, pastoral care and more. Sometimes camps also need volunteers with specialist skills, such as in healthcare.
Young women can attend as participants – places for volunteers and participants are usually limited, and so there is usually a selection event.
Naomi - LaSER Explore Europe 2023
I travelled around Europe visiting Lille, Lyon, the Guiding HQ in Switzerland ‘Our Chalet’, Venice, Vienna, Berlin and Brussels. I made lifelong friends along the way, met Guides & Scouts from around the world and dealt with awful weather, train delays, being on the wrong train and freezing cold tents in the Swiss Alps – but I enjoyed every single second. It was a life changing experience and one I will never forget – I am also now really good at playing Uno on a train, on a pavement or on the move.
Sofia - LaSER Japan trip 2025
Can you tell us about your experiences – for instance what did you enjoy, what were the best bits, what did you learn about yourself?
We did a lot of everything! We started in Tokyo visiting the Imperial Palace Gardens and Girlguiding HQ and a trip to Shibuya for the observation deck and the famous crossing. We also visited many many temples which was such a lovely experience!
We also had such an amazing time at the Team LAB planets and a trip all around the Mount Fuji area where we fed swans, walked through lavender gardens and went to a small town. Then we moved on to Kyoto. my personal favourite – where we took a bullet train to get there and went to walk up the Fushimi Inari! Such a hot day! We also saw the Monkey Park which was so funny – we even got to feed them and lastly went to see the infamous Bamboo Forest! We then moved onto Osaka where we took a day trip to visit the Kobe Girl Scouts who were extremely welcoming and were so happy to have us there!
We had an amazing day at Universal with many huge rides! We also took an incredible sushi making class which was super fun! Lastly we went to visit the deer in Nara which was one of my favourite days! An amazing thing about the deer is hat you can buy biscuits to give them and when you go up to them to feed them the biscuit you now to them and they’ll bow back to you! It was a once in a lifetime experience and I’ve made such good friends on this trip that I still talk to everyday!
Is there anything you’d like to say to girls and young women from LSW thinking of applying for a Region trip in the future?
Do it!!!! You’ll never get another experience exactly like this and it’s such a great opportunity to make some really close friends!
Charley - LaSER Explore Europe trip 2025
Can you tell us about your experiences – for instance what did you enjoy, what were the best bits, what did you learn about yourself?
I loved making friends with guides and scouts around the world and being able to experience the culture of the different countries we visited. I think my favourite places we visited were Energylandia in Poland as it was super thrilling, the Lindt factory in Switzerland and the Hard rock cafe in Hungary. This trip made me more adaptable, improved my team work and communication skills and made me more self-sufficient.
Is there anything you’d like to say to girls and young women from LSW thinking of applying for a Region trip in the future?
It’s probably one of the best experiences in girl guiding out there, you make friendships and memories that last a lifetime. You will learn so much about yourself and have life-changing experiences. Make sure to express yourself, speak your mind and stand up for yourself and others as well as being open to compromise.
Don’t be disheartened if you are not accepted the first time but make the most of your experience nonetheless. You will have the best time!
Follow Us on Instagram
Follow the Girlguiding London and South East International Instagram account to see the latest snaps from international adventures across the region.
International Guiding Grants
We have a grant scheme for any members of Girlguiding London South West to apply for if they would like help towards the cost of International Trips.
You can fill out the County International Grant form here: Apply for a County International Grant. Please note that we ask grant recipients for photos and feedback on their trip when they return, so that we can use this feedback to promote international adventures in the future.
