Ben Griffiths was part of the first ever range of Schoolies Adventures for World Youth Adventures, an 8 day exploration of Vietnam.
Ben is a growing number of school leavers that are opting out of the current mainstream options of partying in places like the Gold Coast for undertaking the completely adventurous – often life changing – experience of travelling overseas by yourself or with your friends for the very first time.
On his return from an extended stay in Asia, Ben was kind enough to send in this feedback and these images of hisVietnam Schoolies Adventure. See below.
“The Vietnam Schoolies Adventure was truly a fantastic experience, the things I saw, the things I did, and the people I met, will stay with me for a lifetime.The great thing about the trip was that while everything was organised and tailored for us, it also had a really casual feel about it, just the type of thing I needed post-HSC.
Vietnam was such an awesome place, it has it all, the culture, the people, the sights, the food (especially the food), it’s all so unique and exciting. Places like the Old Quarter in Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Hoi An, were truly incredible places, there’s nothing like it.
The choice of destinations and hotels was else something the company did excellently. I felt like the towns and destinations we visited gave us a real taste of Vietnam, and even though the trip was only a week and a half, I felt like I had seen so much. Even the hotels were ideally placed, right in the thick of it, and still great quality.
Overall, I am so glad I chose this trip over the more stereotypical places like Gold Coast or Byron. I feel like I really gained something on the trip, an appreciation of such an awesome country, that otherwise I would not have. The people I travelled with were such a fantastic group, everyone was so fun and nice, and being all the same age made the experience even better! It was really just the best thing to finish of my time at school.”
The ‘Middle Kingdom’ is one of the world’s most fascinating travel destinations.
For centuries the country was a closed book to the world beyond her borders. Outsiders had yearned to visit this mysterious civilisation however little was known by most about this extraordinary land and its people and only the truly adventurous, like Marco Polo, even considered attempting to navigate their way around this nation.
It’s only since 1976 that tourism really started and today China is a must-see destination for everyone. China has been modernising at a rapid pace, with cities such as Shanghai a testament to their evolution. With its young middle class population the Chinese are also quickly developing a taste for consumerism culture that at one point in time no one could ever have imagined.
As much as China is keen to display its stunning scenery, historical sites and impressive cities, it is also dedicated to conveying something about how its society works. This contrast between the old world and the new is what makes China such an alluring travel destination. Although its political system has set it apart from the west, China is now moving forward in leaps and bounds, especially in the areas of trade and commerce. The major cities are indicative of the burgeoning economy of modern China.
Within the almost four million square miles of China’s vast territory live more than 1.3 billion people, which makes China the most populated nation on earth. Initially, foreign visitors were only allowed to see a fraction of what the country had to offer, however, today it is possible to visit as many as 60 different areas. An increasing number of historical sites are also being restored and opened up to viewing for foreign tourists.
China never fails to conjure up a myriad of feelings, images and a sense of mystery. Its history cannot be summed up in a few paragraphs in this article. To fully appreciate the events that have shaped the country and its people, students should take the time to read at least one of the many excellent books available on China and be prepared to be drawn into tales of adventure, betrayal, love, life and absolute amazement.
As in the days of Marco Polo, travellers are still regarded as honoured guests and the locals delight in watching you watching them. Within the relatively short time that China’s doors have been open to the West, few tourists have visited the rural parts of the country, including the remote region of Yunnan, which is famously home to Zhongdian, the city which gave the inspiration to the mystical Shangri –La.
So where should one visit in China? From Beijing in the east to the lands of the Uyghur people in the far west, there are a million and one places to consider in between. The following are the most popular places right now.
The Great Wall of China: China’s Great Wall needs little introduction. What you need to know about it is the best way to experience it. Get away from the restored sections and the large crowds to trek along a remote section of the Great Wall outside Beijing in Hebei Province to truly appreciate this monument. The scenery is vast and diverse as you trek your way through swaying corn cropped fields to distant green river valleys with one of the great wonders of the world as your backdrop. While there are opportunities to stay in designated accommodations, camping near to the villages will provide you with true rural hospitality in the ‘real China’ and allow a rare interaction with the local people. The opportunity to visit a number of sections of the Wall will make your school adventure even more special.
Discover the ancient Silk Road cities and history: The Romans, it is thought, first encountered silk in 53 B.C during their campaigns against the Parthians. Learning from Parthian prisoners that the silk came from a mysterious tribe in the east they sent agents to explore the route, which became one of early history’s most prized trading routes between the East and West. The birth of the Silk Road in China came as the Warring States period was brought to an end with the consolidation of the Qin Dynasty. This saw the unification of language, the standardisation of systems and the birth of Xi’an as the capital, as well as the joining of the sections of the Great Wall.
Perhaps the most significant commodity to be carried along the route was religion. Buddhism came to China from India along the northern branch of the Silk Road. Various emperors sent missions to India to learn more about this mysterious religion. Slowly, as merchants, pilgrims and missionaries came into contact with Buddhism it spread along the route and stampas, monasteries and grottos bearing murals and Buddhist artwork, began to appear, with some of the finest examples in China found near Dunhuang. For students of history, the Silk Road is a fascinating project.
Beijing; Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square: Beijing is an extraordinary city with a wealth of iconic attractions, where local knowledge is essential if you want to get the most out of limited time. Highlights include Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and everyone must do a walking tour of ancient Hutong District to get a real vibe of this amazing city.
Xian and the Terracotta Warriors: Xian is the traditional starting point of the Silk Road. This old walled city, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is a vivid example of old and new China as the modernised new city bustles around the quaint, winding lanes of the Old Quarter.
The Wild Goose Pagoda is a classic example of Chinese temple architecture. Built in 652 AD it houses Buddhist Scriptures brought back from India along the Silk Road. The Shaanxi History Museum, built in huge classical-Chinese style, houses a collection of chronologically arranged items and includes material previously housed in the Provincial Museum, with many objects that have never been on permanent display before The Muslim quarter of Xian provides a different feel to the city with its elaborate markets and the Great Mosque.
The real attraction of the city however is a discovery by local farmers in 1974 of the tomb of Qin Shihuang with its army of terracotta warriors. Each warrior stands over 6 feet tall and has different features and characteristics. Some stand in a vanguard with crossbow and longbow bearers; others hold spears, daggers and axes at the ready. They are accompanied by dozens of horse-drawn carriages and enormous terracotta horses. The sight of the warriors arising from their muddy grave, some intact, others still submerged in the ground, is an extraordinary one.
Cruise the Yangtze and Three Gorges: The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third longest waterway in the world. Over millions of years it has carved its way through the surrounding mountains creating the uniquely beautiful gorges now known as the Three Gorges. A cruise along the Yangtze is a must if time allows.
See Pandas in Chengdu: A recognised symbol of China, the Giant Panda is also an endangered animal. With fewer than 1000 left in the wild a visit to the Panda Breeding Research Centre in Chengdu is a unique opportunity to see these animals in an environment that mimics their natural habitat. This centre leads the world in research into the rearing and breeding of Pandas and your visit supports this ongoing work.
Explore Shangrila (Zhongdian)& the mountains of the Yunnan region: Wedged between the upper tributaries of the Mekong and Yangtze Rivers, and the vast Tibetan Plateau, Northern Yunnan is one of the most spectacular regions of China and contains approximately one third of all China’s minority groups. One can create a superb itinerary in this region alone. Visit the stone forest outside of Kunming before heading to the ancient city of Lijiang set beneath the Snow Dragon Mountain. After the dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge visit lush Tibetan villages and travel on to the high plateau that defines the borderlands of Tibet. It is here that you can view the sacred peak of Kawakarpo in the spectacular Meili Snow Mountains – an important place for pilgrims from Tibet.
Kashgar Markets: You wouldn’t know you were in China, or the 21st century for that matter, at the Sunday markets in Kashgar. Kashgar is in Uyghur territory on the far west side of China and was an important city during the ‘Great Game’, a strategic rivalry staged between Britain and Russia in their attempts to secure the Central Asian states.
This article really only touches on what you can do in China. Diversity in landscape and depth in history are two things that are abundant in China and to truly appreciate these natural and cultural wonders using an experienced organisation that can provide quality local guides will ensure that your students have a memorable experience of China.
This article first appeared in Active Education magazine.
Along with a lamp, some jewelry, a candle and a photo of my BFF’s, is an eclectic assortment of what my mother would call ‘clutter’.
A stack of books, ranging from classically brilliant (The Great Gatsby), to nostalgically magical (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince), to appropriately practical (How to prepare for World Class Treks), teeters next to a notebook and a pen that lay there in the vein hope that I might get some wild late night inspiration, a bottle of bright red nail polish, my iPhone, iPad, a teacup and my plane tickets to Paris.
Our resident GAP YEAR blogger, Bella, is about to embark on her Gap Year with a trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal her first stop.Over the course of the year Bella will provide hints, tips and great tales for those considering a Gap Year in the future.A budding writer, Bella's blog will be enjoyable to read and also informative. Follow our blog to receive her latest updates from the road.
Why take your school to Mongolia? If you actually need more convincing then please read on…
Kazakh eagle hunter in the Altai
Mongolia. The land of Nomads and no fences. I saw that line written on a Lonely Planet book once and this simple statement created an insatiable intrigue that put this amazing destination firmly in my sights. Usually a picture captures my imagination however this time it was such a simple sentence that conjured up a vivid image of an endless panorama scattered with a unique culture made of hardy people living off their wits and whatever the land provided.
Soon after, I started to do some reading. Sure, I’d heard of Genghis Khan but I hadn’t really taken any notice of who he really was and what he really achieved. Here was a man who had created the Mongol Empire into one of the largest empires the world had ever seen. His reach and influence was massive, stretching across most of Central Asia to the borders of Europe and down across modern day China. Yet when I spoke with people few ever gave him – or Mongolia – a second thought.
So it was with great excitement that I boarded the Trans Mongolian train in Beijing, which wound its way past sections of the Great Wall and outer Mongolia, for an overnight journey towards the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. It was a fascinating journey. I met my first Mongolian person, who was an artist and musician of sorts and claimed that Genghis Khan invented the internet. I took his point, he indeed had a method of sending messages great distances, but it was hardly a world wide web. Still, it gave me my first insight into how much the man was revered.
After a night’s disturbed sleep by customs officials coming into the carriage to stamp your passports, and then a short stint off the train while they changed the bogey (wheels under the carriage) I jumped out of bed to glance my first glimpse of Mongolia. I was a disappointed that the very first thing I saw was a fence! However it did only run along the train line and beyond it I could begin got put a real visual to the endless landscapes that I’d been longing to encounter.
I spent the week exploring the Gobi Desert on the back of a Bactrian camel (two humps – not one), by horse and jeep. It was nearing winter and I had the privilege of witnessing our guide utilising local GPS (ger positioning system). My stay taught me some important things. Try and travel much further afield and make sure you come in summer.
Also, make sure you know about Genghis Khan. The Mongolians have never forgotten about their national hero. His name features on everything, from the name of bars, restaurants, drinks and other assorted goods available in the State Department Stores.
So, what do you need to know if you want to plan a school group expedition?
WHEN TO GO
Campsite in the Altai
Most definitely, only in summer. Known as “the land of blue sky”, Mongolia is a remarkable sunny country enjoying 250 sunny days a year. Mongolia has warm summers and extremely cold winters. The best time to visit is May-September, although there are no guarantees that there will be good weather. In the summer, the weather can range from freezing rain and snow to temperatures above 39 C, with a possibility of fog, drizzle and torrential storms. Average temperature in most of the country is below the freezing point from November to March and close to it in April and October.
Winter nights of -40C occur most years (minimum recorded -55C). Summer extremes reach as high as +40C in the Gobi Desert and +33C in Ulaanbaatar. Monthly temperature variations of +45C to -55C are not uncommon in many regions of Mongolia.
Due to the nature of the weather when travelling you should always take along clothing that you can layer on and off.
The ideal months for active travellers really are between July and August.
ABOUT MONGOLIA
Mongolia is landlocked and with an average altitude of 1,580m (5,180 ft), it is one of the world’s highest countries. Between the deserts are lakes, both salt and freshwater. Lake Hovsgol holds 2% of the world’s fresh water – so fresh you can drink it.
Traditionally dressed local
The nomadic lifestyle in Mongolia prevails even in the growing urban landscape around Ulaanbaatar, where gers (Yurt is a Russian word for ger) are found between the crumbling Soviet style buildings. The ger is the centrepiece of Mongolian traditions. The mobility of the tent suits the nomadic lifestyle, and the layout of the interior is culturally significant. The door always faces the south and the rear is reserved as a place of honour for guests, where a family altar is found decorated with family photos and Buddhist images.
The predominant religion of Mongolia is Buddhism, which has been revived following the lifting of the ban on religion in 1990. Historically, Mongolia has had close ties with Tibet through the Buddhist religion, and many similarities exist in the culture and lifestyle of these two countries.
Mongolian religion and their nomadic lifestyle is depicted in their music, literature and artwork. Throat (or Khoomi) singing is a particular style of male singing which requires special training, and involves several notes being released at once from the base of the throat. Contortionism is also a Mongolian tradition, and dance performances will often include a sequence.
The language is Mongolian – part of the Ural-Altaic family which also includes Finnish, Turkish, Uzbek and Korean. The language is written using the Russian Cyrillic alphabet.
PLACES / THINGS OF INTEREST
Gobi Desert: The Gobi Desert is an astonishing region blessed with true remoteness and rugged beauty. Due to the vast distances it is best explored via a series of day walks, jeep rides or camel treks with local nomads. Be sure to stay at a traditional ‘Ger’ camps with a Mongolian families, not the tourist trap setups.
Wrestler at the Naadam Festival
The highlights of the Gobi include the ‘singing dunes’ at Khongoryn Els, named as such due to the sound they make on a windy day. However don’t expect just sand dunes in the desert. The Ikh Bogd Mountain (3957m), towers over the surrounding desert like a watchtower of the Gobi. For more ambitious groups there is the option to traverse the range and perhaps ascend the Ikh Bodh peak itself. In the southern Gobi you can view ancient petroglyphs and dinosaur excavation sites.
Naadam Festival: The colourful Naadam Festival is Mongolia’s annual celebration of all things Mongolian. The National holiday is observed right across the country and there are a series of small festivals that host horse racing, Mongolian wrestling and archery. The largest Naadam is held near Ulaanbaatar however a trip to a rural Naadam will provide a more authentic experience. Considering the rural population is largely nomadic, such a festival in a country setting is a wonderful way to see many Mongolian people converge in one large colourful gathering.
Trekking in the Altai Range: In the far west of the country is the Altai mountain range, a chain of mountains separating the nations of Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The key to trekking in the area is working with local knowledge, where the guide can utilise their nomadic contacts to ensure your school with an amazing and unique itinerary. The region is home to intriguing ethnic groups such as the ‘Khotont’ who have followed migratory routes which are wonderful routes to follow that cross spectacular passes, pass evidence of the ancient nomadic Turkic people and superb alpine landscapes boasting deep river gorges, lakes, glacier capped peaks. It is also the place to head to experience the Kazakh people who are renowned eagle hunters and trainers or the hauntingly beautiful throat-singing of the Tuvan people. This is an exhilarating journey.
Karakorum: Five hours drive out of the capital Ulaanbaatar is the deserted ancient capital of Mongolia, Karakorum. Very little remains of Karakorum, from where Genghis Khan launched his mighty cavalry however one monument that does remain is the Erdenezuu monastery. This monastery had to face the onslaught of Soviet desecration during the 19th century, but is now being slowly and lovingly restored.
Ulaanbaatar: UB, as it is fondly referred to, is an interesting city but perhaps not the highlight of a visit to Mongolia. The city has a drab Russian colour of and feels to it and one must be wary of pickpockets. Any seasoned guide will know how to avoid such riff raff. A visit to Sukhbaatar square, the central square, will inform you about the revolutionary hero of 1921, Damdiny Sukhbaatar, who declared independence from China. A short stroll will bring you to the National History Museum, dedicated to Mongolia history and culture. For a nice day trip out of the city head to the Terelj National Park where the surrounding mountains provide wonderful, gentle hiking opportunities. You can also visit the Buddhist Meditation Centre nestled in the nearby hills.
If you’ve never considered Mongolia, give it some thought. I’m sure that what you’ll learn will make you want to know more.
This article also appeared in Active Education Magazine. The author, Brad Atwal from World Youth Adventures, is a regular contributor to Active Education Magazine.
The below video was taken and made by the staff and students at Scotch College in Australia. The school travelled with World Youth Adventures to Mongolia in 2011.
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY A STUDENT FROM KILLARA HIGH WHO TRAVELLED WITH WORLD YOUTH ADVENTURES TO VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA IN 2011.
YEAR 11 VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA TRIP
Early on the 2nd of July, a group of nineteen sleepy year eleven students accompanied by Ms Newell, Mr Pratt and Ms Johnson met at Sydney Airport to embark on an exciting nine-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Our first impressions of Vietnam were a mixture of enjoying the heat, taking in our different surroundings and continuous exclamation over the amount of motorbikes riding around the city, something which we never really quite got used to. We spent our days in Vietnam visiting temples and markets in and around Ho Chi Minh City as well as other tourist must-sees, such as the Cu Chi Tunnels used as form of guerilla transport during the Vietnam War and the Mekong River.
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But sadly time was limited, and we soon departed from Chau Doc in a boat, prepared for the five-hour trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. For countries so close together, the two were very different. While in Vietnam, we witnessed many beggars and street kids in a very dirty city. In Phnom Penh, everything seemed clean and the city was filled with beautiful temples and a very extravagant palace. We spent our first afternoon there touring the city in cyclos and visiting the temple on the hill that the city was named after.
One of the most confronting experiences was our visit to the Genocide Museum, exhibiting the horror that was projected on to the people of Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge in their 1975-1979 regime. Almost half of the population of that time was tortured, before being murdered and having their bodies dumped in the Killing Fields. We were lucky enough to have a guide that was acquainted with one of the very small group of survivors, a men named Chum Mey, who was able to tell us about his experiences via translation by our guide. His story about the torture inflicted on himself and the murder of his family, as he was suspected to be working for the government, was definitely one of the things that stayed with us after our trip. The reign of the Khmer Rouge has been in the news recently, as one of the leaders of S-21, the camp that we visited, has been trialled and sentenced to thirty years imprisonment for the deaths of over two million people through overwork, starvation and execution.
After our days in Phnom Penh, we made our way up towards Siem Reap, home of Angkor Wat. We spent a day exploring the ancient temple complex before heading out to the Prek Toal floating village, located about two and a half hours boat ride across the Tonle Sap Lake. The two days we spent here were a true insight into the South East Asian culture and way of life. We worked with local villagers building a bridge and shelves and stayed with local families that night, knowing only three or four words in Khmer, the language of Cambodia. The homestays probably provided the greatest culture shock for us (well that, and our experiences with the squatting ‘Eastern’ toilets) as it allowed us to truly live like these people did for one night, as well as interact within their small community. Many of us brought toys and colouring-in books and pencils to give to the children, as many had never owned a toy.
The purpose of our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia was to ‘discover Buddhism’ and to participate in a community project, something that we all achieved. But I think that we also took home greater understanding of and compassion for the people that we met on our travels, something that hopefully will stay with us as we continue on through life and make us always aware of how lucky we are in relation to other people around the world.
Try a trek in the Himalaya for Schoolies week - now that's wild!
I remember my Schoolies Week. Well actually, I don’t really, and it’s not because of alcohol. What I remember is that I know I just didn’t really enjoy it.
So, what’s wrong with me? How come I cannot wax lyrical about a monumental occasion that so many Australian school leavers consider a ‘right of passage’? First, I was only seventeen, so I couldn’t go out with my friend’s, who were of legal age, to celebrate the end of Year 12 in a thumping nightclub. Then there was the fact that it was just sooo busy (I realised then I wasn’t a fan for large crowds) and with kids in various states of sobriety, you either made what you thought were friends, or easily annoyed someone to make a quick enemy.
Twenty years on, the only strong memory I have of Schoolies Week is that I don’t really have much of a memory of it at all.
Sure, I do recall five of us sharing a hotel room, and some sort of day trip out to the beach to enjoy the sunshine and watch some of the group try to surf, but I just don’t have that strong, vivid experience that I know I have for many other childhood accomplishments, which were rewarded without the promise of binge drinking in the company of like-minded individuals.
I’m sure my story isn’t unique. Actually, I know it isn’t. I have recently spoken with many students about to finish Year 12 who have told me they hate the idea of getting drunk at Schoolies. So what do they do?
Recently, I began to research what options were available for kids today only to realise that not much had changed. Ok, the Gold Coast crowd had spilled into Byron Bay, and even down to Coffs Harbour. For those who could afford it, there were now Schoolies tours to Bali, Fiji and even Vanuatu. While not directly encouraging or promoting having a tipple or ten, the promises of ‘schoolies only’ resorts, partying with themed all night events just reminded me of that classic saying you’ll hear often in South-East Asia – same same, only different.
Here’s a time in a young person’s life where they have access to time, a little bit of money, perhaps, and a great reason to go reward themselves. Until recently, there have been very little options for those students who don’t want to celebrate schoolies in the conventional way. I’m very surprised. It could be argued that, here we are, the grownups in society, telling the leaders of tomorrow that going out and getting hammered is the best way to celebrate simply by the omission of providing them with any other alternative.
Well, let’s change that.
Let’s look at what, say, $2000 could get you. Let’s see if we can begin to promote the idea to students that there are alternatives for them. That alternative I believe is travel.
It maybe cliché, but travel is the reward that keeps on giving. Not only will a young adult learn skills that will help set them up for university - and life – such as budgeting, problem solving, even the art of making new friends, they’ll also have the opportunity to open their hearts and minds to a world other than their own through rich experiences they’ll never get back here at home.
Plus it’s actually fun, exciting and possibly the only alternative that may seem ‘sexy’. Travel is a just reward that school leavers, who have just completed one of the most arduous mental tests anyone will ever go through, fully deserve.
And it doesn’t have to be unaffordable. Consider the option. How much is a week’s hotel accommodation in a major tourist centre, meals, travel to and from there plus miscellaneous spending money. Is there even a price on worrying whether you’ll see them on the news?
For perhaps the same money, or maybe even a teeny bit more, they could head off on their own independent adventure abroad. Free from the tentacles of teachers, parents and any other restrictions they have the opportunity to grow, learn and most of all have some fun.
So, where could they go on AU$2000-$3000? Many places. How long they can survive on that money is the real question.
Travelling independently doesn’t automatically mean students will be able to get further on their rations. Contrary to popular belief, travelling independently isn’t always the cheapest option. One student does not have any ‘buying power’ compared to an established travel company. Countries in Asia are not as ‘cheap as they used to be’ with smart local operators knowing where the big money is and adjusting pricing accordingly, and if it’s their first time on their own there is no guarantee they will make smart decisions with their money.
Guided tours are strongly worth considering. If not just for peace of mind, but also knowing there is someone in charge who is first aid trained, has an intimate understanding of the region and also to enhance the overall quality of the experience. Join a regular departure that has a mix of ages or do a search on ‘schoolies adventures’ to see what comes up specific for that demographic.
So where to go?
Stay on a Junk on Halong Bay, Vietnam
Vietnam: go chill out on a junk boat in Halong Bay, travel the length of the country by train and bus, go trekking amongst hill tribe villagers in Sapa or take a journey along the Mekong River. Travel with a friend or make them along the way.
Thailand: beach time might sound nice. But isn’t this something you could easily have at home? Take a cycle tour of Bangkok’s streets, head north to travel on bamboo rafts or even elephants. Hill tribe trekking really is quite common here, so there is no shortage of affordable opportunities. If you hate the crowds though, this is where an organised tour may come in handy as they may just take you on the road less travelled.
New Zealand: you won’t get as much bang for your buck as you might in Asia, but head to Queenstown for access to the adventure capitals most daring adrenaline activities. Or cycle along the Otago Rail Trail, voted the number 2 ‘must do’ experience in New Zealand by Lonely Planet.
Australia: Why not discover some of your own country? Head down to Tasmania and sample the amazing, pristine wilderness experiences, such as the trekking the famous Overland Track, or kayaking in the Freycinet Peninsula or even taking on the one of the world’s final true expedition rafting journey’s along the Franklin River.
Nepal:from trekking the lower foothills of the Annapurna mountain ranges to searching for rhino on the back of an elephant in Chitwan National Park, while you might fork out a little more for the airfare the country represents one of the most affordable and rewarding places for young people to travel to in the developing world.
The end of school should be a memorable experience. If we want to encourage positive values, try and rid society of such scourges such as drink driving and so on, we should be encouraging school leavers by providing them with alternative options to Schoolies Week. Travel is that alternative.
POLL
Findings from a study in 2011 showed that 7 out of 10 kids rated the traditional Schoolies Week as a negative experience. What do you think? Would you prefer to go to Schoolies or try something refreshingly different?
Vietnam Alternate Schoolies trip feedback
