Students from Singapore’s international schools have been enjoying some eye-opening excursions around the region and beyond.

Community and Service Trip to Nepal

Arriving at our sister school, Loding School in Kathmandu, Nepal, we received an amazing greeting. Some students placed silk leis (garlands) over our heads while others did Nepalese dances. Some students from our group performed the Haka in return.

The next day, we interacted in a wide variety of activities with the students. It was great to spend time with children who are in such need, yet are so friendly and grateful for things we take for granted. We donated computers and second-hand uniforms, and have agreed to assist financially with a hydro- electricity scheme in the area. This project will provide electricity to over 200 homes and three schools.

From Kathmandu we flew into the Solo Khumbu region. Seeing a donkey on the dirt runway as we boarded our Yeti Airlines flight was less than reassuring.

Over the next seven days, we trekked over mountains and through the picturesque countryside of Nepal, covering about 60km. At lunchtimes, we would look out over amazing mountains, including Everest. We played soccer with the locals, and drank their delicious tea. Friendly Sherpas carried our food and equipment.

Each day we walked for about six hours along dirt tracks. We saw ancient prayer stones and visited Buddhist temples to learn more about the values and beliefs of the people. We also visited a yak farm and, in the town of Phaplu, experienced firsthand a Nepalese market.

It was a life-changing experience, spending time in an environment that does not have the conveniences or mania of the modern world but is soaked in natural beauty and simple joys. It was also a great opportunity to get to know Nepalese people and customs.

After spending nine days together, our own group of twenty-two students and teachers was more like a family than a school group. I think we all feel great satisfaction about our contribution to the hydro-electricity scheme which will change the lives of many Nepalese.

Bronte Morel
Australian International School

Loola Adventure Resort

I had a remarkable time in a beautiful place called Loola. Set in one of the best places in Indonesia, it was our home for three days. There was so much to do, it was literally impossible to get bored.

One of the first things we did was climb a ladder to a thrilling flying fox! Nothing could have stolen that moment from me. The coconut-tree climbing was also a highlight. We climbed up this tall palm tree, with anticipation, until we reached the top. Once I was on the ground again my friends were full of high fives.

We also went to a mysterious place called Survivor Island, where we camped out and lived the harsh life of a survivor. At the end of the day, we were all survivors!

We had other adventures as well. We went boom-netting, where we jumped into a net that was in the sea. The rope was hard, but even so, it moved swiftly through the water. We did a lot of grand things; even snorkelling in the warm sea was entertaining. Everything was lovely in Loola!

Bryony, Year 6

Wow! We had a fantastic time at Loola! From coconut tree climbing to boom-netting, it was all an adventure to us. The beach was magnificent and in our free time we went snorkelling and caught a few crabs and jellyfish.

On the first night the Year Fives and Year Sixes got to go on a real-life survival journey. We cooked our own breakfast, had a bonfire at night, looked at all the beautiful stars while relaxing on the sand, ate food without cutlery and slept in tents without sleeping bags (we were covered in sand). Not what I call a five-star hotel, but the experience was amazing! Then came the challenging activities. Imagine jumping off a 10-metre platform while only attached to a rope!

The Flying Fox was scary and challenging for most people but we all made it. I loved being with my friends and having fun!

Aprile, Year 6
Avondale Grammar School

Where?...When?...Why?... Mount Kinabalu

Students from Dover Court Preparatory School had the privilege of undertaking an expedition to Kota Kinabalu in East Malaysia.

For weeks we had participated in a vigorous programme of physical endurance. This was to ensure that each student would achieve their goal of reaching the summit of Mount Kinabalu.

We set off in the early hours of the morning for the first leg of our journey – a flight to Sabah. On arrival, our first port of call was Rose Cabin, where we spent the night to acclimatise. There was great excitement within the cabin and the chance to bond with each other.

Next morning, at a civilised hour, we set off through a jungle-like terrain on what appeared to be a gentle climb. This image was soon dashed as we struggled with the increased steepness of the ascent and a poor oxygen supply. 

Slowly we made our way upwards, until the world below us disappeared beneath the clouds. Our efforts were rewarded when we finally reached the Low Peak, at approximately 4,500m.

Feeling frozen to death, we jumped up and down with joy. We had achieved our goal; a personal challenge, yet at the same time an educational experience.

This was the opportunity of a lifetime. We have to thank the commitment of the staff that trained us before the expedition and accompanied us on the trip.

Anthea Demetriou (15 years),

Gabriella Demetriou (15 years)

and Regina Henares (14 years)
Dover Court Preparatory School

Johor Bahru Business and Economics Field Trip

In April, Grade 9 and 11 students of IB Diploma and IGCSE Business and Economics at Emaar International School went to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, as part of a curricular Business and Economics field trip. The trip was organised by our Business teacher Ms Sonali and chaperoned by her, Ms Sadhana and Mr Sagoo, who also teach Business & Economics at EIS.

On the first day, we visited farms that grow mushrooms, herbs and organic fruit and vegetables, a noodle factory and a pewter factory. On the second day, we visited Kukup, a small fishing town in Johor State, popular for its fish farms, a batik factory and a cocoa-rich chocolate factory.

It was a wonderful trip for us as we learnt how a business begins and about the various stages of production. We also learnt about traditional industries. It helped us to understand more about running our own businesses smoothly in the future.

We look forward to taking more trips as they provide a great opportunity to experience real-world scenarios, improve team building, develop our research and communication skills and practise organising, critical thinking and decision-making. These skills are helpful to us in classroom discussion, in writing our Internal

Assessments and also with our IB Extended Essays.

Orathay Chantho, Baik Ji Eun, Keo

Vitou, Chatoulong Ousitthideth
Emaar International School

Helping India or Educating Ourselves?

Every year, students of Grade 10 of the German Section and European Section of GESS travel to India to work for a selected social project. In the last academic school year it was our turn. We went to Kochi in Kerala, lived in a Christian institution and explored the Indian people’s lifestyle and culture. There is enormous poverty in India. Many people live at the minimum of existence, yet they are still some of the most helpful and friendly people I’ve met.

For two weeks, we worked hard and got involved in the Indian culture. We saw people living, working, and playing. During that time we developed maturity and gathered experiences. To reach our goals we had to be disciplined, adaptable and responsible.

Some days it was hard to get up. Our bodies were aching but we reminded ourselves how much our work meant to the people, so we did our jobs.

Other days it just made us proud to see how thankful and friendly the Indians were – smiling at us and helping us as much as possible. Up to twenty people would come to support us in our work. We worked hand in hand with the locals and we pulled everything together.

In only fourteen days we had rebuilt a road so that a public bus was able to pass by. We had grown up mentally and had experienced a formative time. It wasn’t only about helping a community in India and it wasn’t only about educating ourselves. The two aspects went hand in hand.

Linda Ross, Secondary II
German European School Singapore (GESS)

The Simple Things

Many people around the world live their daily lives in unfortunate circumstances, or are deprived of the basic necessities of life.

For a week in the middle of April, I spent my days preparing and serving food to people with low incomes, the homeless, or even people with drug addictions. This was at a Christian centre, known as the Kawan Centre, located in a red-light district in the middle of Georgetown, Penang.

Even though I only worked there for three days, I witnessed sights that will stay with me forever and help me to cherish the simple pleasures of life. For example, people don’t only go to the Kawan Centre for food. They can also rest or take a shower. The very sight of a mother bringing her little boy for a shower, made me appreciate what I have.

Similarly, seeing people running into the centre and grabbing and shoving a slice of bread into their mouths, the second the doors opened, made me appreciate the sandwiches that I constantly take for granted.

And the fact that some of these people walked into the centre barefoot makes me appreciate the pair of Nikes that I slip on every day without thinking how truly blessed I am.

What I will take from this trip is not to take the simple things for granted.

Max Soh
International Community School

Project Week

Every year, UWCSEA Grade 11 students research, plan, organise and then travel on an independent, low-cost trip based on the IB programme’s creative, action and service requirements. The challenge is known as Project Week. 

In 2009, 76 groups travelled to 12 countries. They were well prepared, having been given extensive guidance as well as first aid training and access to 24-hour medical and travel support services from International SOS.

Project Week was, without a doubt, a poignant and life-changing experience for the students involved.

One group – Tasha, Estelle, Max and Moon – visited the Blue Dragon Centre for street kids in Hanoi, Vietnam. Despite language barriers, the students quickly connected with the children, playing various games that involved lots of laughter and running around. They also painted a mural in the centre’s large lunchroom, representing the diverse backgrounds of the children at the centre.

The students then spent a few days in the slums in the outskirts of Hanoi, where they built bamboo-hut walls for a family of four and refurbished the walls of a stone house.

“It was a really fulfilling week,” says Tasha. “The people at the centre were incredible; in just a week we grew so amazingly close that saying goodbye was very hard. Having to be independent and move totally out of my comfort zone taught me many new things that I could never have learned in school, and gave me a hands-on, real and meaningful service opportunity. I hadn’t realized that the trip would be as much about self-discovery as it was about service.”

United World College of South East Asia