A school trip can provide us with some of our strongest memories. International schools in Singapore are offering more exciting learning trips every year to varied destinations. They also involve projects, from camping to community involvement. We hear what these Singapore international students did while travelling and learning on their recent overseas trips.
Nexus International School (Singapore)
Overseas trip to Kathmandu, Nepal
The Year 12 IB Diploma Programme learners from Nexus International School (Singapore) went on a 10-day overseas trip as part of their Creativity, Activity, Service programme. A significant focus was to understand different cultures and ways of life outside of Singapore, and to develop a mutual respect for others. There was also emphasis on sustainable travel, to highlight the wider environmental impacts that people have.
The learners visited cultural heritage sites and trekked through the peaks of Kathmandu to Gre village, where they built authentic connections with the communities there by interacting with the villagers, teaching local students and donating learning and sport resources, which they had raised funds for prior to the trip.
Resilience, teamwork, communication, empathy and reflection were key skills the learners developed from the trip, according to the school. The Year 12 learners also connected with Kindergarten learners at Nexus who asked about their trip through questions around their inquiry into Our Learning Around the Globe.
The Year 12’s kept a travel journal for the Kindergarteners, complete with photos of the K-class bear that travelled with them on their CAS learning trip.
Hear from an international student from Nexus
“My biggest takeaway from the journey was the importance of maintaining sustainability as it is an important aspect of human/social relationships and economics. The one moment I’ll carry along with me forever is the day when we arrived at Gre. All tiredness we felt from our earlier trek was erased by the warmth of the villagers and the bright smiles of the children. What was more precious was our interaction with the village school children. Hearing their laughter when we learnt and played together, and sharing their culture through traditional dance made me fascinated about their vibrant energy and passion regardless of their limited condition. It stirred a deep emotion in me and left me in tears.” – Lisa
1 Aljunied Walk | 6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg
Australian International School
Overseas trip to Bangkok, Thailand
The first secondary boys and girls Softball team of Australian International School spent three days in Bangkok for SEASAC (Southeast Asia Student Activities Committee) Softball. Over three days, they played some of the best international school teams across Southeast Asia, culminating in the finals on the third day. In between games, they explored the local markets and sampled local food and soaked in some cultural experiences too.
Through this overseas trip, students build independence, teamwork, adaptability, flexibility, resilience and collaboration.
Hear from an international student from AIS
“The last game was the most memorable part of the overseas trip for me. I felt like we had become such a strong team throughout the training leading up to and during the trip. I saw our team’s growth and how much we had developed from when we were just starting out. We supported other teams, whether they were the AIS boys team or other teams from Singapore. During our breaks, we would strategise for our upcoming games or play card games and bond as a team.
Travelling away from Singapore to represent our school in a sport that we’re all still new to taught me team bonding skills. It also allowed me to strengthen, build and create friendships with people who I wouldn’t have met without playing softball. This learning trip has also taught me to build resilience and perseverance when playing teams that are a lot more experienced than us.” – Holly
1 Lorong Chuan | 6664 8127 | ais.com.sg
Singapore American School
School trips to Malaysia and Indonesia
At Singapore American School, Classroom Without Walls (CWW) provides students with opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. By engaging in activities such as challenge courses, nature hikes and service projects, middle school students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade build confidence, set goals and enhance their environmental awareness.
The school says that CWW fosters friendships, develops leadership skills and encourages Singapore international students to embrace diverse cultures and global responsibilities. These experiences support social-emotional learning, preparing students for future challenges, including the high school Interim Semester. CWW empowers students to develop a deep connection to nature and become responsible global citizens and environmental stewards.
Hear from three international students from SAS
“CWW was great because I got to try new experiences like staying overnight with my friends and classmates.” – Noah
“I wish CWW was longer because it was so fun. My favourite was staying overnight with my classmates and friends and the hawkers.” – Vir
“I really like CWW. You get to experience and learn about new cultures in the kampongs.” – Max
40 Woodlands Street 41 | 6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
International French School (Singapore)
Learning trip to Bintan, Indonesia
This five-day, four-night learning trip to Bintan aims to provide CM2 (Grade 5) students with an enriching educational experience outside the traditional classroom. It offers hands-on learning opportunities that give real-world context to their studies.
Highlights of the trip include a visit to a seaweed farm to learn about sustainable aquaculture practices, a tour of a local sea gypsy house to experience traditional ways of life, and an exploration of the local maritime museum, which offers a glimpse into the region’s seafaring history.
The school says that international students gained a deeper understanding of their curriculum while also developing a greater environmental awareness and respect for sustainability. Through visits to local communities and solidarity initiatives, they also cultivated a sense of empathy and social responsibility. The overseas trip further encourages their curiosity and initiative, while promoting teamwork and mutual aid, helping them grow as independent and collaborative learners.
Hear from an international student from IFS
“My biggest takeaway from the overseas trip was how special it is to connect with people and places that are different from what I’m used to. It was also my first time being away from home and my parents, and I really enjoyed it! I loved where we stayed. Every night, we gathered by the fireplace, learning how to sing Indonesian songs. It made me feel really connected to the culture there. It was an amazing experience that helped us learn about their traditions.” – Damien Tessier
3000 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 | 6805 0000 | ifs.edu.sg
Dulwich College (Singapore)
Learning trip to Perak River in Gopeng, Malaysia
The goal of this overseas trip to the Perak River in Gopeng was to nurture creativity through exploration, build resilience through challenges and encourage responsibility, both for the environment and within the Year 7 students and their communities.
The highlight for the students was an overnight rafting expedition where they learned essential expedition skills including swift water rescue, an experience that the school says was both challenging and rewarding. It helped students to grow in resilience, teamwork and responsibility as they planned and cooked meals, paddled, set up camp and worked together to clean up.
Hear from an international student from Dulwich
“My most memorable experience of the trip was our 40km rafting adventure – we learnt how to cope in harsh waters and navigate rocky rivers. Our arms felt like they were going to fall off after we rafted for 10km straight. We had no hope we would make it to the end, until one of my friends started singing. We all joined in, building up momentum and rhythm as we powered down the river. In that moment, I realised that I was having one of the best moments of my life.
My biggest takeaways from the overseas trip were that friendships are one of the best things in life and we all must make the most of the ones we have.” – Tenzin
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 | 6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
Tanglin Trust School
School trip to Sarawak, Borneo
The Sarawak overseas trip has become a rite of passage for Year 6 students at Tanglin. It celebrates their completion of Junior School and fosters independence as they prepare for the move to Middle School. The stories, photos and adventures surrounding the trip are so legendary that they even feature in the school’s Centenary Exhibition.
The itinerary includes exploring the caves in Bau, taking on a rope bridge challenge and visiting the Sarawak Cultural Village, where international students learn about local customs and participate in the famous Borneo Headhunters stick dance. Students also visit a local school, see orang utans and spend a night in the rainforest, enjoying a riverboat trip, kayaking adventure and jungle walk.
Five nights away from home offer Singapore international students the chance to build independence and resilience as well as learn about other cultures and Borneo’s natural habitat.
Hear from international students from Tanglin
“The cave trip and having our own rooms were highlights! Little cheeky monkeys chased us while we were exploring the rainforest near our cabin. We had a good giggle about it on the flight home. We enjoyed the learning trip because we truly went on an adventure and tried new experiences with our friends. Having stepped outside of our comfort zones, we loved the chance to be more independent. The trip was a real highlight of Y6!” – Eshana B, Benjamin D and Coco Y
95 Portsdown Road | 6770 3480 | tts.edu.sg
Canadian International School
Overseas trip to Quanzhou, China
Grade 8 students visited Quanzhou and Yongding as part of the school’s excursion week. The five-day itinerary was curated based on student interest and included visits to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hakka roundhouses (tulou), Xunpu village, Jiuri Mountain, Tianhou Temple and other significant locations around the historical port city of Quanzhou.
The location provided CIS students with a learning journey centred on sustainable development and community outreach. They completed parts of their Service as Action component there by combining research on sustainable tourism and new rural economies.
By engaging with local small businesses and members of the Yongding Tulou community, Singapore international students learnt about Fujian’s past and present, and ensured a lasting and positive impact on the communities visited through their interviews with local residents and a sharing of perspectives.
Hear from an international student from CIS
“Our stroll along Fujian’s main river was the highlight – the dazzling light installations turned a 20-minute walk into a mesmerising experience. It was the perfect way to end a long day on the road.
This trip was a total deep dive and immersion in Chinese culture, with a special focus on the Fujian region. We explored the Yongding tulou dwellings and visited temples and museums. The most valuable part of this trip were the stories and conversations shared by the locals. Hearing them recount their lives and childhood memories was inspiring; it offered us a unique glimpse into life in Fujian through their eyes.” – Jacob Goldstein
7 Jurong West Street | 6467 1732 | cis.edu.sg
Stamford American International School
Overseas trip to Sa Pa, Vietnam
The Grade 11 trip to the Sa Pa highland brings students on an extraordinary adventure to the Fansipan Peak at the altitude of 3,143m.
Students have various opportunities to interact with local people during the trek. They learn more about the effect of tourism on local ethnic groups, immerse in local traditions such as trying a technique of wax-resist dyeing on cloth, and visit the Temple of Literature and Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.
The trip aims to foster community, resilience and a profound appreciation of nature. At the same time, the Singapore international students build outdoor comfort levels, learn leadership skills, challenge limiting beliefs, develop global awareness and resilience, and learn to be positive in the face of struggles.
Hear from an international student from Stamford American
“The most memorable moment would have to be conquering the summit of Fansipan – it took us 10 hours to complete! Looking out above the clouds from the summit was beautiful. Although it was one of the hardest feats I took on, it truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
My biggest takeaway from the trip was the ability to persevere. Each day we were tasked to try new things. This trip tested our strength, communication and, most importantly, teamwork. I know for certain that I couldn’t have conquered these challenges alone.” – Jackson, Grade 12
1 Woodleigh Lane | 6602 7247 | sais.edu.sg
This article on school learning trips for Singapore international students first appeared in the November 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy! Also, read on for the best things to do with kids in Singapore and where to go for singing, dance and drama classes. To make the most of living in Singapore, read our latest City Guide here for free!
