Innovate Forge Academy
Students presenting their ideas together at a whiteboard

International Study Tours • Melbourne

Learn With Melbourne, Not Just Visit Melbourne

Bring your students to Melbourne for more than sightseeing. Innovate Forge Academy creates customised educational study tour experiences where international students can learn, collaborate, create and exchange ideas with Australian students through structured and supervised learning experiences.

Global perspectives. Local connections.

From Student Visitors to Student Collaborators

A meaningful international study tour should allow students to participate rather than simply observe. Innovate Forge Academy can create learning experiences where visiting students work alongside Australian students through structured workshops, challenges, projects and conversations.

International students can bring their own perspectives. Australian students can contribute their experiences. Together they can explore ideas, solve problems and learn from one another.

Different cultures. Different perspectives. One shared challenge.

Programs can combine

  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Innovation
  • Technology
  • Robotics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Design thinking
  • Future readiness
  • Cultural exchange
  • Collaborative projects

International students + Australian student ambassadors

Australian Student Ambassador Experience

Selected programs may include participation from Australian students who act as student ambassadors during structured and supervised activities. The intention is not for Australian students to function as tour guides or informal hosts. Instead, they participate as peers.

Student ambassadors may:

  • Welcome visiting students
  • Work in mixed international/Australian teams
  • Participate in collaborative challenges
  • Share aspects of student life in Australia
  • Discuss learning and interests
  • Present projects
  • Participate in leadership activities
  • Exchange perspectives
  • Solve problems together
  • Participate in student showcases

Peer-to-peer learning can transform an international visit into a genuine exchange of ideas.

Program philosophy

Learn. Collaborate. Create. Share.

  1. 01

    Learn

    Students explore new concepts, perspectives and capabilities.

    Possible topics

    • Innovation
    • Communication
    • Technology
    • Leadership
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Design thinking
    • Australian education perspectives
  2. 02

    Collaborate

    International and Australian students work together in structured teams.

    Focus on

    • Communication
    • Teamwork
    • Cultural awareness
    • Critical thinking
    • Listening
    • Problem solving
  3. 03

    Create

    Students develop something together.

    Examples

    • Innovation concept
    • Technology prototype
    • Robotics challenge
    • Startup idea
    • Presentation
    • Social-impact concept
    • Design-thinking solution
  4. 04

    Share

    Students present what they developed and reflect on what they learned from one another.

    Possible outcomes

    • Student presentations
    • Demonstrations
    • Pitches
    • Showcases
    • Reflections
    • Group recognition

Study tour themes

Build a Study Tour Around Your Students

Innovation & Design Thinking

Students identify problems, develop ideas, prototype solutions and present their thinking.

Possible themes

  • Future cities
  • Sustainability
  • Student life
  • Community challenges
  • Technology
  • Future education

Technology & AI

Students explore technology through accessible, practical experiences.

Possible areas

  • Coding
  • AI literacy
  • Digital creativity
  • Computational thinking
  • Web development
  • Software concepts
  • Responsible technology use

Robotics & Engineering

Where program requirements and equipment allow.

Possible areas

  • Robotics
  • Engineering design
  • Team challenges
  • Problem solving
  • Prototyping
  • Competition-style activities

Leadership & Communication

Practical experiences that build confident, collaborative young people.

Possible experiences

  • Public speaking
  • Student leadership
  • Teamwork
  • Presentations
  • Collaboration
  • Confidence
  • Leadership conversations

Entrepreneurship & Future Founders

Students learn how founders think, from problem to pitch.

Possible experiences

  • Identifying problems
  • Developing solutions
  • Customer thinking
  • Startup concepts
  • Pitching
  • Student entrepreneurship
  • Innovation challenges

Future Readiness

Older students explore the capabilities that matter beyond school. Career outcomes are not guaranteed.

Older students may explore

  • Future capabilities
  • Leadership
  • AI and future work
  • Careers
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Technology
  • Learning pathways
  • Global collaboration

Student ambassador options

Different Ways Australian Students Can Participate

Welcome & Exchange Session

Australian and international students meet through facilitated activities, discussion and team challenges. Ideal for shorter visits.

Collaborative Workshop

Mixed teams participate in a structured innovation, technology, communication or leadership workshop.

One-Day Challenge

Students work together on a significant challenge before presenting their solution — for example an innovation, Future City, entrepreneurship, robotics or sustainability challenge.

Multi-Day Project

Australian and international students work together across multiple sessions before completing a presentation or showcase.

Australian student participation depends on the study tour design, timing, partner arrangements and safeguarding requirements.

Example only — every program can be customised

Example: Melbourne Future Innovators Study Tour

  1. Day 1 — Welcome to Melbourne

    Connect & Discover

    • Orientation
    • Australian student ambassador welcome
    • Communication activities
    • Team formation
    • Cultural exchange
    • Introduction to the week’s challenge

  2. Day 2 — Innovate

    Design Thinking & Problem Solving

    • Identify a real-world challenge
    • Design thinking
    • Ideation
    • Mixed student teams
    • Solution development

  3. Day 3 — Create

    Technology & Prototyping

    • Coding
    • Robotics
    • Digital design
    • Prototyping
    • AI literacy

    Activities depend on selected theme and resources.

  4. Day 4 — Lead

    Leadership, Communication & Entrepreneurship

    • Leadership
    • Public speaking
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Pitching
    • Preparing team presentations

  5. Day 5 — Showcase

    Present & Celebrate

    • Final team project
    • Presentations
    • Australian/international student showcase
    • Reflection
    • Completion recognition
    • Closing celebration

Program lengths

Flexible Study Tour Formats

Half-Day Experience

Ideal as one educational component within a broader Melbourne itinerary.

One-Day Student Exchange

A concentrated peer-learning and project experience.

2–3 Day Innovation Program

Students work towards a collaborative challenge or project.

5-Day Future Ready Study Tour

A comprehensive program combining several capability areas.

Custom Multi-Day Program

Designed around the visiting organisation’s objectives.

Australian student connection

Genuine Peer Exchange

One of the most valuable parts of international learning can be meeting young people who live and learn in another country. Where suitable Australian student participation can be arranged, visiting students may have opportunities to:

  • Compare school experiences
  • Discuss interests
  • Share culture
  • Work in teams
  • Present ideas
  • Solve challenges
  • Practise communication
  • Develop international friendships in an appropriately supervised learning environment

Melbourne

Melbourne Becomes Part of the Learning Experience

Study tours can be designed to connect Academy learning with Melbourne’s broader environment as a city known for education, technology, culture, design, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Where suitable and separately arranged, a program may complement other Melbourne educational visits organised by the visiting institution or tour provider. Visits to universities, companies, government bodies, incubators or schools are not included unless formally arranged.

Partner programs

School-to-School and Education Partner Programs

Innovate Forge Academy can also explore collaborative programs with Australian schools, international schools and education partners. Potential models may include:

  • Australian student ambassador participation
  • Joint workshops
  • Collaborative projects
  • International student challenges
  • Student showcases
  • Online preparation before arriving
  • Melbourne-based program delivery
  • Online follow-up after returning home

Partnership formats are developed individually based on objectives, student age, timing and organisational requirements.

Explore Partnerships

Before and after

The Experience Can Begin Before Students Arrive

  1. 1. Before

    Optional online preparation may introduce:

    Australian students • Program themes • Challenge briefs • Team introductions • Learning expectations

  2. 2. Melbourne

    Students participate in the main in-person study tour.

  3. 3. After

    Possible continuation may include:

    Forge activities • Reflection • Online student showcase • Continued project development • Selected online collaboration

Ongoing Australian student participation after the visit is not guaranteed.

Organiser journey

How We Develop a Study Tour

  1. 1

    Discovery

    Meet with the school, organisation or education partner.

  2. 2

    Objectives

    Understand student ages, group size, desired learning outcomes, dates, available time and areas of interest.

  3. 3

    Program Design

    Create an appropriate customised study tour concept.

  4. 4

    Australian Student Experience

    Where requested and feasible, determine the appropriate student ambassador or peer-learning format.

  5. 5

    Delivery

    Deliver the agreed program in Melbourne.

  6. 6

    Reflection & Continuation

    Optional follow-up activities may extend the experience beyond the visit.

Safe, Structured and Supervised

Programs involving international and Australian students must be designed with appropriate child-safety, safeguarding and supervision arrangements. Australian student ambassadors participate within structured educational activities.

Specific arrangements depend on:

  • Student age
  • Group size
  • Participating organisations
  • Program location
  • Activity type
  • Parental permissions
  • Applicable safeguarding requirements

Innovate Forge Academy does not provide unsupervised peer hosting, private accommodation, homestay services, guardianship, international travel supervision or transport outside agreed arrangements. Our approach is guided by the Victorian Child Safe Standards.

Program Delivery vs Travel Arrangements

Innovate Forge Academy focuses on the educational program. Unless specifically included in an agreed proposal, visiting organisations remain responsible for arranging:

  • Flights
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Local transport
  • Guardianship
  • General tourism activities

We may work alongside appropriate education or travel partners where relevant. Innovate Forge Academy is not a travel agency and does not provide visa or immigration advice.

Our international offering

One Connected International Pathway

  1. Individual Student

    International student visiting Melbourne with family

    → Custom one-to-one coaching and mentoring

  2. Student Group

    School or organisation visiting Melbourne

    → International Study Tour

  3. Peer Experience

    Visiting group + Australian student ambassadors

    → Collaborative learning experience

  4. International Partner

    Overseas organisation wanting ongoing programs

    → Partnership and licensing opportunities

  5. Ongoing Learning

    Student returns home

    → Selected Forge, online mentoring or partner programs where appropriate

For individual families — not school groups

Travelling as a Family Instead of a School Group?

The Melbourne Future Ready Experience offers flexible half-day programs and personalised experiences for individual international students visiting Melbourne.

Explore Family Programs

For schools, education organisations & partners

International Study Tour Discovery Call

  • 30 Minutes
  • Online
  • For Schools, Education Organisations & Partners
  • Custom Program Discussion

Study tours need a longer organisational conversation. Tell us about your group and we’ll reply to arrange a 30-minute online call or prepare a proposal.

Study Tour Enquiry

Areas of Interest (select all that apply)

Please don’t include student passport, identity or personal details — we only need information about your group.

Visiting Melbourne as a family?

Personalised Programs for Individual Students

For individual students and families, explore personalised one-to-one coaching, mentoring and Melbourne learning experiences.

Explore International Student Programs

Have Fun. Build Something. Show What You Learned.

What Will My Child Have to Show for the Experience?

Holiday programs should be enjoyable — but enjoyment and meaningful learning can happen together.

Depending on the experience, students may finish with:

  • A prototype
  • A digital project
  • A speech
  • A story
  • An innovation concept
  • A venture pitch
  • A presentation
  • A completed challenge

Selected programs also contribute towards Forge Academy badges and credentials. Recognition is earned through completed practical challenges — never simply for attending.

Explore Certification Pathways

Study tour recognition

Recognition that shows what students demonstrated.

Study tours can recognise general participation, and — where formally assessed — applied project work.

  • Participation Recognition. For general participation in the study tour.
  • Applied Project Credential. For students completing a collaborative project, challenge, presentation and reflection.
  • Study Tour Learning Record. Partner schools receive a record showing demonstrated capability areas.

More Than Attendance

Learn

Develop new knowledge and skills.

Create

Apply learning through something tangible.

Demonstrate

Explain, present or showcase what has been learned.

The goal is not simply to say, “I attended.” It is to be able to say, “This is what I learned and this is what I created.”