With the school community’s speedy return to normal this year after the pandemic halted many traditional CDNIS activities, the Insight Editorial Team has dedicated this spread to students’ sharings on their Experience Week trips back in November. Upper School students chose between destinations in Asia, each providing opportunities to participate in service activities while exploring local cultures and interacting with foreign communities. In celebrating the resumption of our Experience Week travels, below are some of the reflections our team has collated about the different trips.

Khao Sok & Krabi (G9):

Participating in their first overseas Experience Week trip, the Grade 9s explored the southern regions of Thailand, Khao Sok and Krabi. There, the students engaged in a plethora of outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking—activities that were intimidating to many.

The charming appeal of nature pushed students to enjoy their time amongst the flora and fauna. Ernest Kong shared, “The highlight of the trip for me was planting mangroves, as I never had similar experiences before.”

The food was incredible, and the accommodations were also nice. This trip gave the freshmen a moment of tranquillity and contributed to a slightly easier transition into Upper School. After a week of sightseeing, students were thankful to the teachers and JUMP! staff who accompanied and planned a remarkable trip.

Kyoto & Osaka (G10):
In a trip of cultural enrichment, many Grade 10 students ventured to Kyoto and Osaka for Experience Week. During the excursion, students dove deep into the rich tapestry of Japanese culture and landmarks. Bernice Wu shared, “It was fun immersing in nature and exploring the beauty of Japanese culture.” Visiting attractions including the iconic gold leaf-covered Rokuon-ji temple and the iconic Nijō Castle, the itinerary was packed with a plethora of historical sites.

Students journeyed through forest trails to Miyama, a rural village in the Kyoto prefecture known for its well-preserved thatched roof houses. They learned about the art of thatching under the supervision of a local expert, gaining firsthand knowledge of the ancient craft and the intricacies involved in preserving these architectural works.

The trip continued to Osaka as students were captivated by the grandeur of Osaka Castle, filled with historical artifacts and a breathtaking view of the city. Students ended the trip on a high note by visiting Dotonbori, a lively shopping district known for its illuminated billboards and mouth-watering street food. An indelible mark was left on the students, who came back home with a newfound appreciation for Japan’s rich history and culture.

Kunisaki, Nagasaki (G10):

With trip options all around Japan, some Grade 10 students had the chance to visit the beautiful regions of Kunisaki, Nagasaki, Fukuoka, and Kumamoto, which all offer rich cultural heritages and significant historical sites.

The groups that visited Kunisaki engaged in hands-on activities of community service, visited fascinating religious sites, and savored authentic Japanese cuisine. Students had the chance to practice ingenious farming techniques employed by the people of Kunisaki to grow crops. Following this introduction to agriculture, the groups toured a massive farm belonging to locals, who shared the process of growing shiitake mushrooms with the groups.During this time, students could apply their newly learned methods to the mushroom logs they had set up themselves.

Jasper Yam, one of the students who visited Kunisaki, shared that “while this process was physically demanding, it was also incredibly rewarding to contribute to this welcoming community.” There were also countless visits to local shrines and temples, with many being located at the top of mountains, so students and teachers could gaze at the miraculous skyline views as they hiked up trails lined with stunning scenes of nature. This exploration was paired with time for relaxation, as the trip came to an end with an entertaining night of shopping and karaoke.

Those who visited Nagasaki, Fukuoka, and Kumamoto learned about the riveting historical experiences that the regions have undergone. There were excursions to museums where they witnessed major artifacts and learned about the aftermath of the 1945 bombings.Students also met survivors of the bombings and had the chance to speak to them about their firsthand accounts of the events. On top of the visits to historical sites, these groups rode cable cars for an exceptional view of the scorching volcanic pools of Mount Unzen, as well as took trips to Karesansui and Glover Gardens where they had the chance to admire the craftsmanship and the preservation of a merge between natural and man-made landmarks. A student who took part in this trip, Richard Wang, said: “The view was truly one-of-a-kind and it felt so peaceful”.

Borneo (G11):

Enveloped in a mixture of culture and nature, students embarked on a fast-paced journey through various parts of Borneo, which ended with a snorkeling getaway at Dinawan Island. From canopy walks on towering trees to soaking in hot springs and hiking the rigorous Aki Aki trail, students were able to take a break from city life through exposure to Mother Nature. However, students were also pushed out of their comfort zones, having to practice teamwork in instances such as kayaking through the maze-like mangroves as a storm loomed ahead and preparing raw fish under the guidance of Borneo villagers. Thankfully, the students met these challenges with gusto, taking initiative in team activities and interacting with local culture on the trip. An impromptu collaborative performance with local musicians at a night market cemented the trip as unforgettable and an excellent bonding experience amongst the Grade 11s.

Cambodia (G11):
To kick off one of the trips on the Grade 11 Experience Week roster, many embarked on a journey to Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia. Students participated in a service initiative, where they taught English to the local children and built a house for a Cambodian family. The house took three days to build, and the students endured both the scorching sun and pouring rain, but “the family’s tears of gratitude made it all the more worthwhile,” said Kaitlyn Yu. Despite the language barrier, the Grade 11s formed memorable friendships with residents, bonding over football and the local playground.

Aside from service, the students visited the Angkor Wat Temple and feasted on delicious local cuisine. Using tuk-tuks as their main transportation, many enjoyed perusing the streets of Siem Reap, admiring the bustling city center. Overall, the cohort enjoyed a unique experience, creating new and lasting memories to reminisce on.

:Vietnam (G11):
Immersing themselves in the rich culture of Hanoi, Vietnam, a group of Grade 11 students embarked on a journey delving into the country’s quick-paced urban lifestyle and rural serenity. Over the first four days, the students conducted a service project in the northern outskirts of Hanoi, engaging in the construction of a concrete road and tree plantations, as well as clearing ditches. Following this service initiative, the students reconnected with the metropolitan city center, embracing the succulent Vietnamese cuisine and the lively streets. Ending off the trip was an overnight stay on a cruise at Halong Bay, where students admired a magnificent panorama of the bay’s landscape. This trip to Hanoi was an unforgettable experience, as the students immersed themselves in the diverse landscapes of Vietnam and engaged meaningfully with the local people.

Bali (G11):

A relaxing break from the IB is exactly what the Bali trip provided for the Grade 11s. Activities galore, zip-lining, thrilling white water rafting, and many more.

For most, surfing was a highlight of the trip; Elliot Lindner shared, “It was something I’ve wanted to try for a while but never had the chance.”

Students connected with Balinese culture through cooking traditional foods as well as mud wrestling with a local tribe. However, the infamous “Bali Belly” struck many, in addition to the blazing hot weather. Nonetheless, the students brought forth a positive attitude and did their best to not let these factors set them back in their fun. Ultimately, an Experience Week experience in Bali allowed the Grade 11s to connect with the roots of the island through a large variety of activities. To commemorate this trip, a visit to the night market was the cherry on top of an amazing trip.

Chiangmai (G12):

The Grade 12 Experience Week trip was an exhilarating opportunity for the Seniors to escape the IA, EE and TOK deadlines for a one-week getaway in the beautiful tapestry of Chiangmai. Unlike the Grade 9s, 10s, and 11s, the Seniors travelled to northern Thailand as one collective without several destination options — besides the local trips — hoping to give the cohort a chance to bond one last time.

The activities were enjoyable, though not necessarily relaxing! Students’ athleticism and fitness were tested in an arduous four-hour trek across the mountains of northern Thailand, alongside a rafting, biking, and kayaking expedition in the following days. Despite the grueling activities, the trip also provided a thrilling opportunity for Grade 12s to engage with Thai culture and heritage. One of the most beloved activities by the Seniors was the Khantoke Dinner, a customary roundtable dinner held by the Lanna people of northern Thailand, where students ate sticky rice, fried chicken, fruit, and other traditional delicacies while enjoying a cultural performance. The Grade 12s also explored Thailand’s vibrant nightlife at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, where they shopped for trinkets and souvenirs and savored local cuisine.

For those who preferred staying in Hong Kong, local excursions ranging from cooking and hiking to visual arts and music trips were offered to suit the vast interests of our students.

Music:The Music group indulged in several music production opportunities throughout their stay in Hong Kong, working together to create unique pieces.

Aden Tse shared, “I was certainly quite anxious at the start as everyone had different music tastes and ideas of what kind of projects they wanted to do. However, throughout the first few days, our instructors helped us discover the cross-talk between different musical genres, and through creative mini-projects, we were able to produce some impressively sound music.” He also reflected that the most memorable part of the week for him was the final project, where he and his group composed a piece for piano, saxophone, oboe, violin, and euphonium, attempting to depict the relatably daring feeling of facing a heavy deadline after a series of procrastination.

After a series of composition workshops, the groups visited Sunset Studios to record their pieces in a professional studio. The studio manager taught students about how music covers are recorded, mixed, and edited. Overall, the experience was eye-opening and taught many how to be more open-minded towards the endless types of music available.

Visual Arts:

The visual arts trip offered students a fascinating experience encompassing trips to museums, workshops, and more. The trip began with students experiencing a taste of Turkish culture, engaging in a Turkish lamp-making workshop at Mosaic Art Studio. Students also visited the JC Contemporary Art Gallery, where they enjoyed the “Maria Hassabi: I’ll Be Your Mirror” exhibition, which captivated students with an artistic performance inside a room adorned with golden mirrors.

Additionally, the students had the privilege to visit the M+ museum, immersing themselves in both local and Western art. Roaming about the various exhibitions, they had the opportunity to explore the mediums of art that intrigued them the most, from traditional paintings to a display of robotic silicon men in wheelchairs that provided a shrewd commentary on today’s political leaders.

Students also engaged in two workshops: a candle-making workshop at PMQ, where they were introduced to an ingenious way of painting candles involving blowing paint onto the candle with straws to create aesthetic splash effects. In connection with our own school, this group met back on campus to learn the skill of urban sketching, practicing different techniques to draw various scenes around CDNIS. To end the trip with a celebration of the art and memories created during the week, the group had a fun pizza party and gallery at school.

Cooking:

Students who attended the local cooking trip remarked that the takeaways of the trip were practical in preparing them for independent university living, especially the Grade 12s! Throughout the week, students learned to make dishes under the guidance of the Hong Kong Culinary Academy, such as different ways to cook eggs. While the cooking process felt therapeutic and rewarding for many, and students enjoyed meeting new friends outside of their grade, it was unfortunate that their delicious creations were often cooled by the time they had the chance to eat them. Some participants reflected that the varying paces of students could be considered for everyone to be able to enjoy their fresh food, even if that means eating together becomes difficult. Additionally, some students who attended the program hoped to see dishes that will cater to a wider range of diets in the coming years!

Hiking:

Those who participated in the hiking trip enjoyed sprawling mountainous paths, quiet beaches and scenic views in their escape from the breakneck pace of the city. Although the hikes were challenging for many, the leisurely pace and breaks helped students see the citythrough new eyes and also provided a valuable opportunity for them to bond with their fellow students without the presence of technology and academic expectations. Moreover,while there were some issues with turnout as the trip progressed, the participating students ended up being rewarded ice cream on a day with sparse attendees — an unexpected but welcomed surprise for sure!