The ISF Academy Experiential Learning Program (ELP) offers a range of immersive experiences that align with our core values and the IB mission. Through exploration of the physical environment, cultural immersion, and community service projects abroad, students broaden their understanding as global citizens.
Experiential Learning is a widely recognized and effective educational approach that engages students through hands-on experiences. Learners interpret their experiences in their own unique way, drawing from their backgrounds, learning styles, and previous educational experiences. This learner-centered approach allows for individualized learning.
In ELP, students are placed in unfamiliar and challenging situations that require adaptability, problem-solving, and risk-taking. By engaging with real-world problems and authentic settings, students gain new knowledge and skills that can be applied to other situations. These experiences provide a contrast to their everyday lives and create opportunities for reflection and growth.
ELP takes students beyond the confines of the classroom and traditional learning materials. It immerses them in the real world, fostering adaptation, resilience, and a deeper learning response. It offers a unique and valuable learning experience that complements the mainstream education setting.
The program aims to broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout the world. It emphasizes on experiential learning and gives students the opportunity to serve the communities they visit.
The program aims to broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout the world. It emphasizes on experiential learning and gives students the opportunity to serve the communities they visit.
The program aims to broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout the world. It emphasizes on experiential learning and gives students the opportunity to serve the communities they visit.
The program aims to broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout the world. It emphasizes on experiential learning and gives students the opportunity to serve the communities they visit.
The program aims to broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout the world. It emphasizes on experiential learning and gives students the opportunity to serve the communities they visit.
The Grade 3 program introduces students to the Experiential Learning Program at ISF and begins after school on Day 1. Students engage in natural and cultural exploration activities at various locations on the Hong Kong Island. A range of activities are planned to enhance student’s outdoor skills.
The program aims to provide a safe and secure learning environment for students. It will allow students to explore and discover the historical aspects of the Opium War and learn more about modern China. Students will be exposed to traditional Chinese culture through practical activities and performances.
Students will visit museums, traditional districts, parks and gardens to gain an insight into Taipei culture. Discussions and reflections will enhance students’ understanding of local affairs. Students will also participate in multiple DIY practical activities to bring to life the traditional and modern culture of Taipei.
Students will be visiting museums, mausoleums and places of interest will give students ample opportunity to be immersed in the local culture and enhance their understanding of Chinese history through day-to-day interactions. Students will have a half-day visit at a local school and will be encouraged to use the Chinese language to interact with the locals, guides, fellow students and teachers.
In Xi’an, students will explore the long and illustrious history of the ancient city through interactive activities at the famed Terracotta Warriors Museum, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim District Night Market and an ancient city wall. Students will also participate in different activities at the home of Chinese wushu —Shaolin Temple. Students will also have ample opportunity to use the Chinese language to interact with the locals every day.
Students will participate in different activities at the home of Chinese wushu—Shaolin Temple. In Xi’an, students will explore the long and illustrious history of the ancient city through interactive activities at the famed Terracotta Warriors Museum, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim District Night Market and an ancient city wall. Students will also have ample opportunity to use the Chinese language to interact with the locals every day.
Students in this program will engage with global issues, working together with stakeholders to plan and execute community service programs. Visiting historic sites in Qufu, Jinan, and Tai’an will give students a better understanding of what these sites mean in the context of modern Chinese society. Students will have a better grasp of what it means to live in a society where Confucianism has influenced thought and culture for thousands of years.
Students in this program will engage in the beautiful scenery of Wulong Sinkhole and explore the mysterious Jinfo Mountain. Students will understand how the Yangtze River has played a significant role in the history, culture, and economic development in the area.
The program challenges students to reckon with the issues faced by the communities they meet on the journey, which in turn allows them to develop a better understanding of the world. Many activities naturally lend themselves to aiding students to break down barriers, work as teams and develop leadership qualities, but none more so than hiking the Great Wall of China and staying villages nearby.
The program consists of a number of hikes in scenic areas such as Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Scenic Area that students would participate in, this will encourage students to develop their physical capacity while appreciating the mother nature. The program also includes a number of team activities that promotes students to develop their leadership and decision-making skills as well as interpersonal skills.
Students participating in this program will spend a day in the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda. Students will learn about conservation of pandas as well as having a chance to get close with the pandas by preparing food for them.
Students will explore the rich history and architecture of the UNESCO-listed Fujian Tulou in Nanjing County through biking, hiking, and living in an authentic tulou. Students will have the opportunity to pick their own tea and process it. Through the process, students will learn how tea has impacted China and the rest of the world.
During their visit, students will hike the bamboo trail, walk among tea trees, watch tea demonstrations and taste some tea. They will also visit the Nanjing Massacre Museum to gain an understanding of the numerous historic events that took place in Nanjing during the war and will tour the ancient water town to gain an understanding of the ancient economy of China.
The program will offer rewarding challenges that foster personal and physical development. The biking and desert trekking activities in the program will test students’ tenacity and make them step out of their comfort zones, all in the spirit of a safe, controlled and mediated adventure. By the end of the program, students will have a greater appreciation for challenges and the ability to exert themselves physically, mentally and emotionally.
The program will offer rewarding challenges that foster personal and physical development. The biking and desert trekking activities in the program will test students’ tenacity and make them step out of their comfort zones, all in the spirit of a safe, controlled and mediated adventure. By the end of the program, students will have a greater appreciation for challenges and the ability to exert themselves physically, mentally and emotionally.
While Gansu is known as the Gateway to Tibet, its unique culture is also influenced by its large Muslim population and proximity to Mongolia. Students will have a chance to visit secluded temples and monasteries as well as learning about traditional paintings known as thangka and traditional means of worship and prayer.
Gansu offers students a chance for true adventure carrying their own gear up a breath-taking hike at an altitude of more than 3000m- it will be a journey through wilderness and national parks. The program will test students’ tenacity and move them beyond their comfort zones. By the end of the program they will have developed leadership and interpersonal skills under challenging circumstances while also improving their understanding of team dynamics.
The program will offer rewarding challenges that foster personal and physical development. Extensive hiking opportunities, including a 7 km ascent up Huangshan and a 9.5 km exploration hike at the top of Huangshan, will test students’ tenacity and make them step out of their comfort zones, all in the spirit of a safe, controlled and mediated adventure. By the end of the program, students will have a greater appreciation for challenges and the ability to exert themselves physically, mentally and emotionally.
Students will have the opportunity to hike the legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge trail amidst the dramatic snow capped mountain peaks, verdant green countryside and clear blue valley skies. A range of interactive immersion activities requiring students to use Chinese language, with the specific aim of having students discover unique local cultures with their stories and their histories.
The program aims to broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout the world. It emphasizes on experiential learning and gives students the opportunity to serve the communities they visit.
The program aims to broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout the world. It emphasizes on experiential learning and gives students the opportunity to serve the communities they visit.
The program aims to broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout the world. It emphasizes on experiential learning and gives students the opportunity to serve the communities they visit.
The program aims to broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout the world. It emphasizes on experiential learning and gives students the opportunity to serve the communities they visit.
The program aims to broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout the world. It emphasizes on experiential learning and gives students the opportunity to serve the communities they visit.
The program aims to broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to unique experiences throughout the world. It emphasizes on experiential learning and gives students the opportunity to serve the communities they visit.
The Grade 11 ELP2 program is the pinnacle and culminating program of The ISF Academy experiential learning program. To provide students with a springboard to university, college and career, they are given the opportunity to ‘put into practice’ the skills developed during previous ELP experiences. Students are encouraged to display leadership and problem solving skills as they collaborate and communicate with each other.
