GAP 2022 – Experiential Learning in the Great Outdoors
Since its inception in 2009, the Global Action Program (GAP) has been part of ISKL’s High School (HS) core curriculum for Grade 9-11 students. They participate in an experiential program where they immerse themselves in various cultural backgrounds and embark on outdoor adventures while sharpening their skills in community partnerships such as service and social entrepreneurship.
This October 15-20, 440 students accompanied by 50 faculty and staff went on 25 itineraries traveling to various parts of East and West Malaysia and countries in the Southeast Asian region, such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Each trip has been designed to build the students’ awareness of emerging global issues by involving them in various cultural, environmental, and service opportunities within the Southeast Asian region.
HS Principal Jeff Farrington remarked, “Students were engaged in incredible life-altering experiences providing service in communities to which they would not have access otherwise.”
From building new homes, restoring marine reefs, helping out in jungle nurseries, turtle watching, or reforestation projects along the rivers, the following is a summary of some of the places and projects our students visited during GAP 2022:
Grade 9
Merapoh Jungle Nursery Project, Malaysia
Dungun Turtle Watch Project, Malaysia
Gopeng Indigenous Build Project , Malaysia
Cherating Surfing & Trash Hero, Malaysia
Tioman Reef Restoration Project, Malaysia
Grade 10
Sarawak Community Project 1, East Malaysia
Kiulu Jungle Nursery Project, East Malaysia
Kinabatangan River Reforestation Project, East Malaysia
Kinabalu Reef Conversation Project, East Malaysia
Mamutik Island (Borneo) Reef Restoration Project, East Malaysia
Grade 11
Siem Reap Province Community Project Build, Cambodia
Chiang Mai Community Project Build, Thailand
Luang Prabang Community Build Project, Laos
Mai Chau Community Project Build, Vietnam
Bali Marine Community Project, Indonesia
Jogjakarta Wildlife Rescue Project, Indonesia
A big thank you to all the trip leads, Brian Hall and Shaun Gopal from the GAP team for organizing this fantastic journey of a lifetime!
