GAP 2023 – A Cherished Experience for All HS Students
Since its inception in 2009, ISKL’s High School division has undertaken the Global Action Program (GAP) as part of its core curriculum. GAP is an experiential learning program with critical goals for Grade 9-11 students, a mandatory component in the curriculum.
GAP Week typically occurs in October or November and involves students traveling to different locations for cultural immersion, outdoor activities, community service, or social entrepreneurship projects. As part of the program, students are encouraged to explore the host country or region and better understand its culture, which, as a result, they learn more about themselves and their abilities. The program aligns with ISKL’s mission to develop responsible global citizens and empowers young adults to impact the world positively.
During GAP Week, many High School (HS) ISKL students consider their experiences the highlight of their time at school, allowing them to
engage meaningfully with a local or global issue. Examples of the type of community projects our students have been engaged with include:
- Working with villagers in Bali to support their strategies to reduce plastic pollution.
- Partnering with an NGO in the Siem Reap province on a house-building project.
- Helping to construct a biogas tank in Nepal and seeing firsthand how their efforts resulted in an affordable, clean, and sustainable energy source for villagers helping to reduce deforestation and CO2 emissions.
As part of the GAP experience, students used the Global Citizen Framework to undertake the reflective investigation process, considering various perspectives, communicating their thinking and ideas, and then taking action. Through their participation, students developed a greater understanding of the natural environment and how to take action to protect it, gained an appreciation for new and diverse cultures, increased their awareness of individual responsibility to others and the world, and learned to work and communicate effectively and sensitively with people from diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, and cultures.
The experience also helps foster essential life skills such as resilience, self-confidence, and collaboration. Our alumni frequently cite GAP as a cherished memory and pivotal learning experience, and we look forward to hearing more about our student’s experiences that will become lifetime memories.
This Year’s Gap Itineraries
From November 1-6, 448 students accompanied by 50 faculty and staff went on 25 itineraries traveling to various parts of East and West Malaysia and countries in the Asian region, such as Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Each trip was 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. It’s a learning experience that combines community service with outdoor adventure and creates a unique opportunity for students to engage with our Mission, Vision, and Values authentically.
Grade 9
TIOMAN (DIVING) REEF RESTORATION PROJECT
MERAPOH – JUNGLE NURSERY PROJECT
GOPENG TEAM 2 – INDIGENOUS BUILD PROJECT
KOTA KINABALU (KIULU) – JUNGLE NURSERY PROJECT
SANDAKAN TEAM 1 – (SEPILOK) WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTRE
SANDAKAN TEAM 2 – (KOPEL) KINABATANGAN RIVER PROJECT
Grade 10
WEST BALI SURFING + FOREST CONSERVATION PROJECT
THAILAND ECO-HOUSE BUILD PROJECT
CAMBODIA – COMMUNITY HOUSE BUILD
VIETNAM – MEKONG COMMUNITY PROJECT
NEPAL TEAM 1 – VILLAGE BIOGAS PROJECT
Grade 11
LOMBOK (DIVING) – CORAL REEF RESTORATION PROJECT
PHILIPPINES – SURFING & TURTLE CONSERVATION PROJECT
NORTH BALI – SEA VILLAGE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
CENTRAL BALI – WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND RESCUE
LAOS – ECO-HOUSE BUILD PROJECT
CAMBODIA – VILLAGE HOUSE BUILD
INDIA – PONDICHERRY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
NEPAL TEAM 2 – COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROJECT
Thank you to all the trip leads, Brian Hall and Shaun Gopal from the GAP team, for organizing this fantastic journey of a lifetime!
