Grow in Mind and Body Through Travelling

Whether it’s a quick getaway to Hawaii, or a long history-filled trip to Egypt, travelling can be one of the most rewarding (not to mention exciting!) ways to grow in knowledge and as a person.

During this past spring break, many schools organized trips to other countries. Oak Bay High in Victoria, BC, has had students go to Japan, Costa Rica and even Egypt. And for the Oak Bay students who have travelled with the school in the past, it was definitely time well spent!

Cameron Mackenzie, who went to China last year during spring break, saw the Great Wall of China and even explored the Forbidden City. He also shopped in Hong Kong, tasted a wide variety of food and experienced what it’s like to travel at 480 kilometres per hour as he rode the Maglev Train in Shanghai. Yet, as Cameron pointed out, travelling is not just about seeing the different sights: it’s about experiencing another culture. “The experience as a whole was quite different than what I had imagined,” he explains. “As soon as I got there, I was surprised at how different life was in China. For 10 days, I found myself immersed in a totally different culture.”

Mrs. Farago, who is leading this year’s trip to Egypt, has similar advice for students travelling: “Don’t waste time thinking about how things are not like they are at home. Just immerse yourself in the experience and enjoy it.”

Josh Spelt, a student from Stelly’s Secondary in Saanichton, BC has travelled to the Dominican Republic and agrees that travelling is an experience that “opens your eyes to the things around you and makes you want more.”

So when you’re dragging yourself to your minimum-wage job, or going door-to-door, asking for empty pop cans, always keep in mind the great travel opportunities that await you. From one-week getaways to month-long adventures, the world is filled with exciting places to explore.

This year, I left the rainy days behind and headed out to enjoy the pyramids, a Nile cruise and camel rides through the desert. For eight days, I was completely surrounded by a culture and lifestyle quite unlike my own and I can only wish you the very same experience on your future excursions!