The World is Our Classroom

Our Concordia students have just returned from adventures exploring China! In late September, our grade 5 to 12 students embarked on their annual educational trips. From Inner Mongolia to Sanya, and from Tibet to Shaoxing, they traveled through deserts and jungles, explored cultural landmarks and heritage sites, and engaged in meaningful community service. It’s been an incredible journey filled with cultural exploration, personal growth, and shared experiences that will last a lifetime. 

Our 5th graders had a blast on their outdoor adventure in Anji. Amidst the wonders of nature, they paddled, shot arrows, climbed rocks, and ventured through the jungle... Each new experience was a chance to push boundaries, boosting their self-confidence and independence.   

“Imagine this! This terrific field trip was so amazing. We got to splash in the water, the opportunity to learn about teamwork and have these lessons in the nature.”— Carmen W., G5 

“We had team challenges, kayaking, paddle boarding and other exciting things in a 3-day, 2-night trip!”— Glinda Y., G5 

“We all learned and had fun which is the best mix!”— Phyllina E., G5

"I really enjoyed the Anji trip and my favorite activity was the stand-up paddle boarding and the rock climbing. I really liked doing this and loved the experience of doing this on my own."—Mia C., G5

The middle schoolers were divided into three big groups, each setting off on a thrilling five-day, four-night expedition to places like Qiandao Lake, Beijing, and Shanxi.  

They explored ancient cities, visited the iconic filming locations of “Black Myth: Wukong,” climbed the Great Wall, painted traditional masks, crafted delicate flower buns, and even tried their hand at Yue Opera. From immersing themselves in rich cultural heritage to participating in dynamic outdoor team-building activities, they embraced every moment with adventurous spirits, strengthening their bonds as friends and classmates. 

“The trip was really fun and memorable. We learned a lot about Beijing culture and history. It was really nice to stay with our friends and play games and do scavenger hunts.”—Emma Z., G7

“The G8 Pingyao trip was a special experience; we were able to take a deep dive into Chinese culture and history. To me, trips like this are essential for our learning because instead of textbooks, we can see hundreds of years of history right in front of us. I greatly appreciate chances like this and I'm looking forward to my next one.” —Miracle Z., G8 

High schoolers from grades 9 to 12 came together in ten mixed-grade teams and set off on the TrIBES (Transforming Individuals By Education and Service) journey, venturing across diverse regions of China. This unique experience blended teamwork, discovery, and service, creating unforgettable memories and strengthening bonds across all grade levels. 

Hear from the 9th graders who joined TrIBES for the first time:  

“I enjoyed seeing Ningxia's rich and unique culture and spending time in the desert, which featured lovely landscapes of stars and sand dunes. However, I found our interactions with the locals most memorable, particularly because of their warmth and hospitality towards us.”—Sara G., G9

“Sanya’s trip not only provided us with a fun, immersive experience into Sanya culture and ocean activities, but also gave us a rich understanding of kids who aren’t as privileged as we are and allowed us to help them. We got to bond with our peers and students from different grade levels, and it was an awesome collaborative experience overall!”—Hannah L., G9

Though the trips lasted just less than a week, our high schoolers have been deeply studying their destinations since the beginning of the term, treating TrIBES as a full course. From pre-trip learning to in-trip discussions and post-trip reflections, it's a comprehensive learning journey that allows students ample time to absorb and reflect on their experiences.   

We're all about meaningful educational travel! It's fantastic to see our Concordia students stepping out of their comfort zones, growing significantly in physical challenges, social-emotional skills, and knowledge expansion. Are you all ready to start anticipating the next adventure?