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Several international schools in Singapore offer students programs outside the classroom to help them learn, grow, and explore the real world. These programs challenge students, expand their horizons, and enable critical life skills. From the Swiss Alps to the jungles of Southeast Asia, these programs take education to new heights, quite literally!
In this ultimate guide, you will learn about the off-campus experiences a few leading international schools offer in Singapore. These schools are challenging traditional education and going unscripted.
The Tanglin Trust School's new Highlands Programme takes students on an epic adventure in Australia. Launching in 2025, Year 9 students will spend five weeks in Gippsland, Australia, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. This unique experience blends outdoor learning with academic subjects like biology and geography.
Students will dive into hands-on projects, field trips, and ecological studies while developing crucial life skills. The program inspires curiosity, builds confidence, and creates a sense of community. This life-changing journey prepares young minds for tomorrow's challenges through unforgettable experiences in nature's classroom!
Tanglin Trust School, 95 Portsdown Road, Singapore 139299, +65 6778 0771, admissions@tts.edu.sg, www.tts.edu.sg
What about spending 12 weeks in the breathtaking Swiss Alps? That's exactly what Year 9 Dulwich students get to do with Ignite: Switzerland. This program occurs in the Engadine Valley, where students meet new challenges and build confidence.
Students build friendships with peers from other Dulwich schools and local Swiss students that help widen their horizons. The best part? They even get to work on personal projects!
Ignite: Switzerland truly lives up to its name - igniting a love for learning and adventure. Overall, the program tends to create a perfect blend of academic learning and outdoor adventures.
Dulwich College, 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Singapore, 658966, +6568901003, admissions.singapore@dulwich.org, www.dulwich.org
From water-based activities with breathtaking views to thrilling high elements courses, Australian International School's Outdoor Education Program is exciting. This initiative takes learning beyond the classroom, offering students real experiences in nature.
Students can explore caves, go hiking, biking, and even learn bushcraft skills. This program builds essential life skills, developing leadership, teamwork, empathy, and a deeper appreciation for the environment. Cultural experiences are also part of the mix. Overall, it's an education but with an extra dose of excitement!
Australian International School, 1 Lorong Chuan Singapore 556 818, +6565170247, +6566648127, admissions@ais.com.sg, www.ais.com.sg
Stamford's Outdoor Education program takes learning beyond borders! For instance, Grade 10 students recently explored Cambodia, immersing themselves in culture and history. They engaged with organizations focused on recovery and development, from landmine detection to reforestation.
The school’s outdoor program includes activities such as biking tours, planting mangroves, and creating art with local artists. This program was a part of the school's Academic Field Studies Expeditions, which builds on students' skills year after year. Further, it covers countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Nepal, offering 5-7 day trips that merge academic and pastoral content in real-world contexts.
Stamford American International School, Woodleigh Campus: 1 Woodleigh Lane (Off Upper Serangoon Road), Singapore 357684, +6566532949, admissions@sais.edu.sg, www.sais.edu.sg
Singapore American School's Interim Semester is a week-long adventure program that takes high school students out of the classroom and into the world! This program offers three exciting tracks: Global Studies, Eco-Adventure, and Service Learning. Students might find themselves trekking in Nepal, learning Tibet's spirituality, or sailing in Singapore.
The Global Studies track deepens understanding of world cultures, while Eco-Adventure immerses students in nature to boost personal growth. Service Learning projects allow students to make a positive impact on local communities.
With various options, the Interim Semester provides matchless opportunities for students to broaden their horizons and develop valuable life skills.
Singapore American School, 40 Woodlands Street 41 Singapore 738547, +6563633403, communityambassadors@sas.edu.sg, www.sas.edu.sg
Chatsworth’s Beyond the Classroom program includes conducting field trips and residential experiences for better learning. Their primary students enjoy annual camps lasting up to three nights. For secondary students, the Curriculum Enhancement Week (CEW) is a highlight, offering adventures across the region.
Additionally, the school encourages students to engage in community service, trekking, kayaking, and biking while experiencing diverse living environments, from jungles to hostels. These trips provide unique opportunities for students to bond with teachers and fellow students.
Chatsworth International School, 72 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore 289760, +6564633201, information.bt@chatsworth.com.sg, admissions.bt@chatsworth.com.sg, www.chatsworth.com.sg
Nexus International School offers a rich array of local and international field trips. For instance, Singapore-based day trips to cultural sites, museums, and galleries are included in school fees. The school's partnership with Singapore Repertory Theatre provides free access to stellar productions. The school also offers overseas trips, with destinations suitable to each year group.
From Year 3's one-night stay in Sarimbun to Year 10's adventure in Ho Chi Minh City, students experience diverse cultures and environments with their outside program. These trips cultivate independence, teamwork, and cultural understanding among students. Additional overseas opportunities are available through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and WFUNA programs, taking students across Asia and even to the UN Headquarters in New York.
Nexus International School, 1 Aljunied Walk Singapore 387293, +6565366566, enquiry@nexus.edu.sg, www.nexus.edu.sg
GESS's award-winning BeyondClassrooms programme is worth checking out. The school has partnered with leading global companies to take learning into the real world. Their students benefit from internships, expert talks, site visits, and career guidance.
As a result, these hands-on experiences help students explore interests, discover passions, and make informed choices about their futures. The programme has won a Circle of Excellence Award for its innovative approach to career exposure.
From factory tours to collaborative projects with industry experts, BeyondClassrooms prepares students to be global citizens ready for a changing world, providing them with invaluable insights into various career paths and industries.
German European School Singapore, 2 Dairy Farm Lane, Singapore 677621, +6564610881, school@gess.edu.sg, www.gess.edu.sg
NLCS Singapore offers exchange opportunities within its school family. Recently, Year 9 students spent a week at the Singapore campus, immersing themselves in classes, co-curricular activities, and local culture. The exchange trip allows students to experience different educational environments, make international friendships, and gain a global perspective.
Being part of a global school network enables NLCS to offer such enriching experiences, enabling a truly international outlook among its students.
North London Collegiate School, 130 Depot Rd, Singapore 109708, +65 6989 3000, enquiries@nlcssingapore.sg, www.nlcssingapore.sg
The Winstedt School emphasizes holistic development through diverse after-school activities and annual camps. Their Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) program offers 5-10 different options daily, allowing students to explore various interests and connect across grade levels. The annual camps host student development in locations like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore's natural areas.
These outdoor experiences focus on students' strengths, facing fears, and building important relationships. Camps challenge students to develop independence, self-esteem, and personal responsibility while connecting with nature.
Winstedt's approach to these activities reflects their commitment to inclusive education, ensuring each student is supported and celebrated in their growth beyond the classroom.
The Winstedt School, 1208 Upper Boon Keng Rd, Singapore 387312, +65 6715-5373, info@winstedt.edu.sg, admissions@winstedt.edu.sg, www.winstedt.edu.sg
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