By MARLENE MILLOTT
STUDENTS from Monbulk College flew out to Nepal early Tuesday morning to begin a four-week program with World Challenge.
The 19 students are participating in a program run by World Challenge, where they work on community projects while developing their own life skills. The program aims to provide students with education through experience by pushing students out of their comfort zone.
During the program, the students will be immersed in local culture and take part in charity work that benefits the community.
The students will spend one week at an orphanage in the village of Pokhara running fun, educational activities with the kids. They will also time trekking through the scenic country and sightseeing.
The students have spent 18 months preparing for their trip, including attending a preparation camp and working on their fitness for the treks.
As part of the World Challenge, students are expected to pay their own way. This has seen students raising money through raffles, part-time jobs, and selling goods at fetes, with some of the money going toward their orphanage work.
Monbulk College principal Margaret Uren said the students were very excited about their trip, and had been looking forward to it for a long time.
She believes the experience will change the students’ lives.
“They will come back very different. They will be much more confident and independent,” Mrs Uren said.
“They get a different perspective on what it’s like living in a global community.”
This is the second time Monbulk College students have participated in World Challenge programs. Two years ago, a group of students spent time in Borneo.
World Challenge offers students the chance to experience over 50 destinations across the world, including Fiji, Java and Myanmar.
