How UWCSEA empowers climbers to scale new heights in China

Evie found herself outstretched on a wall dotted with hundreds of multicoloured grips, fearlessly hanging several feet off the ground. It was her first time climbing, and she still remembers the excitement she felt when she finally reached the top. She’s been hooked on the sport ever since.

Five years after that pivotal moment, Evie faced a new challenge: climbing a 50-metre-tall limestone cliff. In June, as part of UWCSEA’s Outdoor Education program, Evie and 18 fellow UWCSEA students took a trip to the countryside in Yangshuo, southern China. It was as if things had come full circle when she was climbing for the first time—and this time, she was conquering towering karst peaks.

“Climbing in China was a powerful experience, where I overcame challenges with my friends. It helped us encourage each other to push ourselves to new heights,” says Evie, now a Grade 11 student at UWCSEA East. She’s also a competitive climber with the UWCSEA East Dragons Climbing Team.

Holistic education

Outdoor Education is one of five elements in UWCSEA’s holistic education program that centres on experiential and interdisciplinary learning. Expeditions are a key part of Outdoor Education, where students learn important skills outside the classroom. Last year, over 3,000 UWCSEA students participated in more than 200 adventure trips.

These Expeditions are led by UWCSEA’s experienced Outdoor Educators, who help students become leaders in their own ways. Oliver Sampson, the Head of Outdoor Education at UWCSEA Dover, shares how the programme’s ethos of ‘Challenge of Choice’ guides each Expedition to empower students in venturing beyond their comfort zones and choosing their level of risk-taking.

“They develop empathy for others and take initiative in guiding their peers in difficult moments. Our students form close bonds with one another through these powerful experiences where they thrive and overcome challenges together,” he says.

Thomas, a Grade 10 student from New Zealand and fellow Dragons climber, was another student on the trip. He shares how he built up more than just climbing skills in an adventure of a lifetime. He says it was also about learning to embody the UWCSEA Profile of being a self-manager and the College’s Values like compassion.

“Self-management is key, especially in climbing. You need to be aware of what you’re doing, aware of what’s happening around you, and making sure that everyone is safe,” says Thomas, who’s been climbing competitively for three years.

“You have to be compassionate and understanding. Helping others when they’re struggling on the cliffs makes sure that everyone is navigating outside their comfort zones safely,” he adds.

Evie shares that she identifies most strongly with the UWCSEA Profile of Resilience, which drives her to try out more challenging climbs.

“Compared to the climbing gym in Singapore, where markers are telling you where to go, you have to figure out the route along the way on the cliffs. The rock surfaces are a lot sharper and more jagged, and it taught me the importance of resilience,” Evie adds.

Expeditions

Outdoor Education is one of five interlinking elements of UWCSEA’s holistic learning program. There are also Academics, Activities, Service, and Personal and Social Education. The UWC Mission of making education a force to unite people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future is embedded in every aspect of College life, including Expeditions.

For Evie and her fellow climbers, being responsible for the environment is at the heart of every adventure they take on. She remembers how her teachers and UWCSEA staff reminded each student to always keep sustainability in mind.

“When we’re on Expeditions, especially when we’re outdoors all the time, it’s important that we take care of our environment and make sure we clean up after ourselves,” she continues.

Oliver adds: “With the leadership of our experienced Outdoor Educators—who are outstanding environmentalists, mountaineers, sailors, divers, and adventurers—our students emerge from the expeditions with a stronger resolve to preserve our natural environments.”

UWCSEA’s diverse community of 5,600 students hail from more than 118 countries and speak over 84 languages. Evie, as an IBDP student, has chosen to study Mandarin as one of her six subjects. The Expedition, which was organised in partnership with the local outdoor guide organisation Terratribes, not only enabled her to strengthen her climbing skills but also immerse herself in Chinese culture.

“The experience in China enabled me to converse and connect with locals. I felt confident in my ability to communicate, even if it was just a few simple words sometimes,” Evie says.

“It was more than just being a tourist. We lived in the same quarters as the locals from Terratribes, where we built campsites together, went to the local markets, and cooked for each other and experienced life as they know it,” she adds.

Explore the possibilities with Outdoor Education

Brief description: Discover UWCSEA’s holistic approach to learning and bespoke Outdoor Education programme. Visit our website and connect with us: www.uwcsea.edu.sg.

United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA)
Dover: +65 6775 5344
East (Tampines): +65 6305 5344
admissions@uwcsea.edu.sg