School trips: The benefits of volunteering abroad

by Projects Abroad
published 28 June 2024

3 mins read

If you're planning your next school trip or group project, this is why we think you should go abroad.

For a little extra work, the benefit can vastly outweigh a domestic school trip. And, we're here to support you every step of the way. From choosing the right trip to pre-departure, arrival, and time spent at your destination, we're here to help.

On top of gaining real-world experience, going overseas provides students with many learning opportunities!

It can lead to personal development in the form of:
> Increased confidence, sense of curiosity, and independence
> Leadership and problem-solving skills
> A better understanding of global challenges
> First-hand engagement with the wider world

Not to mention, memories that will last a lifetime.

Keep reading to learn more or get in touch to discuss your next school trip with Projects Abroad.

Cultural exchange

We believe the best way to understand something is to see it for yourself. When you go abroad, students are immersed in a different culture which exposes them to new people, food, beliefs, customs, and much more.

They'll gain new perspectives and feel connected to the wider world. It will give them insights into how others live, which can become a valuable new way of thinking.

This can lead to increased confidence, curiosity, and independence. They could even develop a sense of global citizenship, which will help them navigate the modern world... more on this next.

Global Citizens

Global citizenship is a key skill in modern societies. It provides a better understanding of cultures and communities around the world and closer to home.

To support this process, we've developed Reflective Journals. These help students to think more consciously about their time during their trip overseas.

Our journals cover everything about the destination, including basic phrases and more complex questions. Students are encouraged to think independently and discuss their experiences with others. Their journals will become a valuable memory from their time as well as a key milestone in their personal development.

Our Childcare and Community Programme in Tanzania is ideal for groups working towards global citizenship. On this trip, students work in Maasai schools and learn about their culture and traditions through social and cultural activities.

Alternatively, our Conservation Programmes are great for showing students how community and sustainability go hand in hand! Fly to Nepal and spend a few weeks protecting the greater one-horned rhino, collecting crucial research data, and teaching children in local schools about the importance of wildlife and conservation!

Improved school performance

While the classroom is a great place to learn, getting out of the classroom now and then can open many doors for students.

Here are five ways a volunteering trip abroad can positively impact school performance:

1. Experiential learning allows students to actively participate in lessons through doing, discovering, experimentation, investigation, and reflection. This leads to more memorable and exciting lessons and develops practical skills.

2. Every teacher has been asked, 'Why do I need to know this?'. Seeing something in the real world takes a subject from the page and puts it into practice. It also encourages students to think critically and solve problems, requiring a deeper understanding of core concepts.

3. Seeing how a lesson is used in real life can spark interest in a potential career path. So why not level up your trip to the zoo for a Conservation Programme in Kenya? Get your group involved in everything from endangered species research to maintaining natural water holes for animals! This will give your group a motivation boost when back in the classroom!

4. Working outside of the classroom offers many collaborative opportunities. Group projects and activities are key for developing communication and teamwork skills; key qualities required for young people to be successful.

5. New surroundings can reawaken the brain and recharge our batteries. At the same time, sharing an experience with their peers can feel incredibly empowering. As a result, learning outside the classroom can have a real lasting effect on students confidence. In fact, many return from school trips with a new mindset and a positive attitude toward classroom learning, allowing them to thrive in their studies.

Boost students' CVs and university applications

While travelling with Projects Abroad, students can also work towards an International Volunteering Diploma. We've worked alongside the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies (CGCS) to develop three, five-module, fully accredited Level 3 International Volunteering Diplomas.

Choose between a specialisation in Marine Conservation, Wildlife Conservation, or Global Citizenship, and on completion, students will gain 16 UCAS points.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Get in touch with one of our Group Trip Specialists today to start planning your next overseas adventure and ask any questions you may have. The school trip of a lifetime is just around the corner.