In August 2019, St Andrew’s School for Girls took a bold step in adopting a new and unique style of touring internationally with a Europe tour.
The tour saw 41 Grade 10 and 11 learners, who embarked on a 14-day trip to Europe, exploring Rome, Munich and Paris.
“It was a privilege touring with an amazing group of young women. We were extremely proud to brag to those we met that they were our learners.
“To be part of their journey, witnessing their learning and problem-solving, their kindness and willingness to share and the innocence of youth expressed in their sheer delight in seeing Mickey Mouse, was something special,” said Andrew Bishop, deputy head for Senior School.
The focus of the tour was to explore large institutions and to research their beginnings and to see how things had grown and how they function today.
The learners saw big business in logistics, sport, religion, education, tourism, hospitality and manufacturing.
The tour later saw the learners explore subjects like history, geography, dramatic and visual arts, where they learnt about the origins and similarities of the local vernacular and tried to communicate in Italian, German and French.
The learners were taught how to become storytellers and share their personal journeys on the tour.
Tatiana Swanson said she learnt how to manage her money and how to use international public transport.
“I am grateful to have had the chance to experience time in these cities with my friends and in a different way to what I normally would,” said Kayla Calitz.
Andzani Mthenjane said she learnt people change in a different environment, where she is now able to make friends with people she normally would not.
“I learnt that I was more geared towards the arts and the cultures, but I steered myself towards the sciences and the maths.” “It was a good opportunity to appreciate and learn more about the arts and I am more certain about my future,” said Learner Hae Soo Kim.
