“If you never go, you shall never know.” To evoke the ‘wanderlust’, the students must go beyond classrooms to discover the world which is awaiting to be explored. We often teach students about various aspects of life, starting from academic achievement, skills, self- discovery, resilience, adaptability, time management, networking, financial independence, as well as moral and ethical development. But, all these theoretical knowledge given in the classroom must be put into practical application via travelling.
Without delaying the idea of giving a real life experience, Roots Country School, Panchkula, decided to organize its first international school trip for students to learn beyond classroom walls which worked as a resounding success, turning moments into milestones. I, myself, witnessed the wonderful transition of my dear students into little explorers as I account the trip which is fresh in my mind.
Developing TRAVITUDE
It is easier for students to enjoy a lazy Sunday, sleep for longer hours, may be binge on some Netflix movies or play some video games. But, when we mold a student with travitude attitude, they learn to wake up early to watch the rising Sun, jog/run/walk to experience new places, they are always ‘on-the-go’, they value time as they travel new places to explore as much as they can. This demands them to pull themselves out of their beds, may be take early showers, organize their belongings, eat well and try not to fall sick. Their entire mental make-up is highly altered by travelling. The development of this phenomenon is important during the crucial days of students’ lives. So, students who travel and account their stories are always a couple of steps ahead from others because they decided to move out of their comfort zones.
The journey commenced on the night of 4th December 2024. It took the entire team to reach their first destination, Singapore in about 18 hours, starting from Panchkula itself. It was an arduous journey that required us to rest adequately to start off with the places to visit in the itinerary. Nevertheless, the team members rested to buckle themselves for the day’s plan. Singapore trip spanned 4 days where students visited Universal Studios, aquarium, Madam Tussauds, Sentosa and city walk Gardens by the bay, Marina Bay visit. The learning outcomes were well achieved by the visit. The pointers in my mind were exactly attained when the team visited these well defined tourist spots.
City of Singapore: Rule Regulated Country
A country that has no industries, grows no vegetables, imports everything from abroad, etc is able to bring itself on the position of second highest GDP in the world is far more interesting to believe. Miraculously, this tiny country is just 59 years old. Students were left awe-struck to acknowledge various facts about this small country that is comparatively as same size as Chennai state of India. With majority of population of Chinese (74.2), Malay (13.7), Indian (8.9) and others (3.2). Also, mostly Tamilians are seen in Singapore with about 5% population that makes Tamil, an official language of Singapore. As history elucidates that Naraina Pillai accompanied Sir Stamford Raffels (the man who discovered Singapore) in May 1819, was a Tamilian. Apart from the fun students had while sight- seeing, they learnt various rules of the country and strictly followed them. As famously quoted, “While in Rome, do as Romans do”. Similarly, “While in Singapore, do as Singaporians do”.
Money Matters
Another learning for students was, to manage their resources well. While the country is well defined with various amenities. The sky is the limit for the expenditure. One can go on buying the fancy items or on a shopping spree, but what we looked forward was the perfect outcome goal of the trip. Students learnt how to change their currency from money exchange, curbed their desires of buying unnecessary items, focusing more on travelling and exploring the country on foot and interacting with the localites. The trip was well organized by the travel agent, Mr Rajinder Chauhan who made sure that students ate healthy meals, drank plenty of water, slept in comfortable rooms as well as provided guides that gave students opportunities to learn , inquire and interact with their endless questions. The school manager, Mr Utkarsh Negi, made sure that students were well responsible with their passports and expenditure.
Discovering Singapore on Foot
A bottle of water, a backpack, a portable charger, a phone with good camera, some energy bars, a good application of sunscreen, a cap/hat to bear the warm sun, and good sports shoes are paramount requirement to visit places in the country. Bottle of water for timely refills as a bottle of water is expensive to buy. Universal Studios was undoubtedly awarded as the best place to visit by our little explorers. The rides were safe, fun and themed parked evoked a sense of imagination and curiosity in their minds. However, waiting in the queue for rides were undesirable but at the same time, this brings the lesson of patience and adaptability. There was never a dull moment displayed and even the warm sunny day couldn’t exhaust their spirits.
Belonging To School
Hoisting your school flag brings another set of emotions and gratitude for the opportunities that an institute offers. Similarly, Rootians marked these places with their school banner that inculcated a sense of belonging, pride, inspiration, confidence, motivation, anticipation, a positive outlook, etc and lot more than expected. These qualities or emotions are very important to built up character. A school plays a major role in shaping camaraderie, good fellowship, lifelong friendship and these travel opportunities strengthens these qualities. They work as teammates, develop a deeper understanding, cultural appreciation, empathy and improved communication skills. Such opportunities offers an advanced and modern perspectives to students.
The Country That is Constructive
After spending 4 days in Singapore, students timely, again and again noticed the incredible infrastructures with magnificent architecture ideas. The thought process of people in Singapore makes them what they signify today i.e marvelous. This city or country never sleeps, they are workaholic, enjoy their weekends, polite to speak, safest country, pragmatic and culturally inclusive. They have “Kiasu” attitude, it means fear of losing out in Chinese. A common stereotype that reflects a competitive spirit and a desire to secure best opportunities. When Lee Kuan Yew arrived and established an independent country from Malaysia in 1965, he started from scratch. It was a barren land with limited natural resources, less land, more sea, poverty, poor housing, ethnic tensions and geopolitical vulnerability. The story of Singapore inspired our students to be visionaries and dream big! If a man with almost zero resources, can establish one of the richest countries in the world, then imagine the boundaries that a human can push to achieve things regarded as unachievable by critics. I, Mehak Dalal Negi, the English teacher of Roots Country School took up this assignment of tour and indulged myself in long debatable conversations about students’ various observations and learning.
Crossing Borders
We took a bus to cross border from Singapore to Malaysia. It was an incredible moment. A transition from one country to another was evidently witnessed by students. They learnt how to show their documents like passports and Visa-on-arrival papers at the immigration office. This moment of learning was historic and most admired by me. It was important to enhance global perspective, awareness of different worldviews, personal growth and identity formation. This was the moment of learning beyond classrooms and textbooks which I am glad to give to the students, as their teacher. Our school, Roots Country went by their motto giving children roots to grow and wings to fly!
While bidding adieu to tall skyscraper buildings and a concrete jungle, we entered lush green forests of Malaysia as our next destination, Kuala Lumpur awaited.
Malaysia Truly Asia
In childhood, we always watched the commercial of Malaysian airline with this tagline. The song still hymns in my mind. It took us 6 hours to reach our hotel and on the way we discovered various monuments which defined the culture of the country. Malaysia has a unique constitutional monarchy with a system of rotational kingship. The country comprises 13 states, nine of which are monarchies ruled by sultans or rulers. Every five years, the rulers elect one among themselves as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King), the ceremonial head of state. This rotational system is exclusive to Malaysia and ensures shared leadership among the monarchs. While the King has limited powers, he plays an important symbolic role in upholding Malay traditions and Islam as the official religion. It was quite evident in their architecture like the Prime Minister’s office, King’s palace and Merdeka Square.
Malaysia is a vibrant Southeast Asian nation known for its multicultural society, blending Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures. Renowned for its natural beauty, iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers, and rich history, Malaysia is a hub for trade and tourism. Our guide was a Tamilian that gave us our country vibes. Same vibes were shared in Singapore, home away from home. Hardworking Indians are found everywhere who are busy trying out their luck and prove their mettle. It is again, a gentle reminder to our dear students of what Indians are made up of i.e industrious, intellectual, family oriented, hospitable, resilient and community oriented.
Million years old Caves
We visited open caves as old as million years where temple of Lord Murugan, a Hindu god is also established. Batu Caves are famously visited by tourists for its natural beauty, historical importance, representing the harmony between nature, culture, and faith in Malaysia. It has an impressive 42.7 meter high Statue of Lord Murugan, the second tallest statue of a Hindu deity and only 272 steps to climb to reach the caves. Enthusiastic students instilled the teachers with immense motivation to climb those steep steps on a blazing sunny day. The little explorers were our reservoirs to drive strength, happiness and energy to execute the day as planned.
A Visit to Chocolate Factory to Conclude the Trip
Happiness had no boundaries when students discovered cocoa beans, and observed the process of chocolate making at a chocolate factory in Kuala Lumpur. They allowed their sweet buds to savour all the chocolates they could during the visit and bought souvenirs for home.
The trip was a grand success, the thought of shaping the dream into reality was fruitful and wonderful by many folds beyond expectations, thus setting the bar-high for the next venture. I would like to congratulate each trip participant, especially students for involving themselves in each activity, in each visit and in each observatory wholeheartedly like a true Rootian!
In any moment of time, they never displayed a dull moment. They had cheerful faces, awe-struck eyes and mind full of questions which were at times difficult for us, the teachers to answer but, igniting that passion, that curiosity, that enthusiasm, that imagination etc was a target well achieved. The motive of taking students beyond classrooms has set an altogether different benchmark for other students. Thus, by leaving them with urge to know-more. We feel proud as teachers or guides to prepare these students for tomorrow.
A student turned into an explorer, an adventurer and an organised well trained visionary who pushes the boundaries of his or her mind and think about various opportunities that the world has to offer.
So next time, they might not think twice to pack their rucksacks, buckle up their shoes, pack a camera and most importantly manage their resources like money and essentials well. The world is their true classroom, the ideas weaved on the desk with a fellow student must go beyond the walls, awaiting to be turned into reality!
Across the seas to lands unknown,
Where skies are painted in hues their own,
Each step whispers a story untold,
A treasure of memories, richer than gold!
Last but not the least, it is an epiphany that, when students roam in distant skies, they realize many truths in their hearts, the beauty of home that grows clearer in foreign air. They reveal all the universal charms. So, they must travel and discover new worlds before they reach home safely as a well learned human being!