Redefining Learning Beyond the Classroom

What if the school day consisted of exploring the jungles of Anji and treasure hunting in Pingyao Ancient City? Or visiting the Potala Palace in Xizang, sliding down Mingsha Mountain, and surfing in Hainan? Well, for our grade 5 to 12 students, these were just some of the ways they filled their days during Concordia’s annual educational travel week!  

In late September, students embarked on 3 to 5-day in-depth trips, divided into 18 itineraries, to destinations including Zhejiang, Dunhuang, Hainan, and even Mai Chau in Vietnam.

 

Beyond cultural experiences, students engaged in meaningful service activities: some taught English at a migrant school in Beijing, others participated in desert conservation efforts in Dunhuang, some brought warmth to a special needs children’s center in Hainan, and others traveled to Vietnam to witness rural revitalization in action. These weren’t just trips. Our students stepped out of their comfort zones, broadened their perspectives in real-world settings, built meaningful connections with local communities, and reflected on the relationship between individual actions and social responsibility.

 

Let’s revisit some of these moments through a collection of on-site photos (some taken by accompanying teachers and high school students): 

·      Grade 5: Anji, Zhejiang exploration

·      Grades 6–8: Three-day trips to Qiandao Lake, Beijing, and Pingyao respectively

·      Grades 9–12: Mixed-grade TrIBES trips, each route with its own unique highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are truly delighted by the growth students demonstrated throughout their journeys. Of course, this study experience does not end here—from social research before the trips to continuous reflection afterward, they are well on their way to becoming genuine “global citizens.” 

 

These young individuals have shown through action that true understanding of the world requires not only eyes to see but also a heart willing to empathize.

Want to see more of their journeys unfold? We heard that some students are busy editing vlogs of their educational trip experiences. Selected videos will be featured on our school’s social media platforms—stay tuned!