Pupils embark on ‘life changing’ trip to Southeast Asia

NINE pupils have set off on a ‘life changing’ school trip to Vietnam and Cambodia with adventure travel organisation World Challenge.

Accompanied by an experienced expedition leader and two school leaders, the group will be given the opportunity to work on a community project in rural Cambodia, and encouraged to arrange their own transport and accommodation, as part of the month-long programme of travel.

Students have spent the last two years raising money for the trip, which was delayed due to the Covid pandemic, and left in the early hours of Monday morning for the first leg of their adventure.

The day before departure, Year 12 pupil Nathan Forrest, who is taking Geography at A Level, told us: “It's hard to put into words how I’m feeling - the obvious response would be to say I’m excited, however this barely scratches the surface! My emotions range from slight trepidation to an almost euphoric sense of anticipation.

“This experience will be life changing. I am excited to see the differences in the way people live in these two awe-inspiring countries.  From food and language to religion, the cultural contrast is going to be astonishing in both Vietnam and Cambodia.”

The 17-year-old held a number of fundraising events to raise much of the £4,799 needed for the expedition. He said the World Challenge experience will support his future hopes of working on overseas humanitarian projects with a Non-Governmental Organisation.

During the expedition, the group of three girls and four boys in Year 12 and two boys in Year 11, will spend ten days in Vietnam. There they will visit the floating markets of Mekong Delta, snorkel along the coast of Nha Trang and complete a three-day trek in the Yok Don National Park.

In Cambodia, they will take a five-day jungle trek in the Virachey National Park,  stay in the capital city of Phnom Penh, and visit the Angkor Wat temple complex, the largest religious monument in the world.

While travelling in rural Cambodia, they will work on a water project – helping to dig a well or construct a water harvesting system -  to support the local community.

Dame Allan’s Chief Technician Angus Aitchison has worked as a World Challenge school leader since 2007 and, together with Head of Art Zoe Allonby, will support the students during their excursion.

He said: “The whole experience will allow students to learn about responsible travel and their role in the global community. It will hopefully increase their confidence and resilience, while developing their independence and self-awareness.”

Angkor Wat