SIXTY students from Lingfield Advent School in Gweru have embarked on a 13-day trip to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, where they are expected to experience intercultural engagement.
The students going on the trip were drawn from grade three to upper six. This is the second time the school is going to the UAE, as they also did so last year.
Before departure, Tendero Svondo of Lingfield Advent School mentioned that the students would gain a fresh outlook on life.
“They will get cross cultural immersion and experience a new perspective to life,” he said.
Gloria Muvuti, the trip organizer, highlighted that they find it important for students to experience the tours firsthand.
“At the beginning of the year in the UAE, especially in Dubai, they experienced floods. Soon after, renovations were undertaken, leading to the creation of the Museum of the Future, where visitors can see artificial intelligence in practice,” she said.
The school, adopting a project-based curriculum, aims to be a center of innovation.
“We support the president’s Vision 2030, striving to ensure that within a year or two, our students will use these experiences to upgrade our laboratories and initiate new constructions. This way, our children can experience these innovations within their own country instead of going abroad.”
“Last year, we managed to send about 75 students on this tour. It was a 16-day tour last year, but this year it is a 13-day tour, and we have taken 60 students with us, along with the teachers. We are also blessed that the school authorities are always with us, supporting this initiative,” Muvuti added.
One of the parents stressed the importance of these international trips.
“I have two children at Lingfield Advent School. This is actually their second international trip. Last year, they also went to Dubai, which was a very interesting educational tour that exposed our children to the greater world. They will meet people from various races, and I believe they will learn a lot,” said the parent.
Students going on the trip expressed excitement and optimism, believing it will be one of the best experiences of their lives. They look forward to meeting new people, learning new things in a different environment, and gaining knowledge that will aid their studies.