International School of Amsterdam

Teacher at the International School of Amsterdam - Hester Helsloot

The students at the International School of Amsterdam come from all around the world, so we discuss being global citizens at school, but I think this experience has actually shown them, hands-on, real-life experience of what it means to be a global citizen. 

​​They’ve seen clear differences between the European country where they attend school and the Southern African country where they’re volunteering. This became especially apparent during visits to the local school and while spending time in Soweto. It helped them recognise how people’s day-to-day experiences and access to opportunities can vary significantly across different communities.

These students didn't necessarily know each other that well before this trip, and I think they've bonded really well over this experience. They've had time to reflect together and to get to know each other better, and I was really happy to see how well they managed themselves. 

The students took to communal living on the projects like ducks to water. It initially took a bit of adjustment, but they all blended in with what was needed of them, and that was really great to see.

It was fascinating to see how they tiptoe through the bush to not step on the tracks and how they sometimes actually sniff the pee or open up poo to help with tracking, and I couldn't get enough. I loved it! I was constantly following the guide who was tracking these animals, trying to find where the animal was, what they were doing, whether we had to come and follow or whether we had to stay behind and wait. That was amazing. It was such a real experience. So maybe in a different life, I'll become a tracker as well.

What they've seen here practically, they'll learn about in theory next year, which will give them great leverage in understanding the material. CAS plays a big role. The community service that we've provided gives them an actual, meaningful experience with the people here. There are real people in real need here, which I think is a lot more meaningful than making something happen back home just because it needs to be on their CAS program.

We've worked with a variety of people here. They've all been wonderful people, very friendly, very accommodating, very approachable. I think we all felt that whenever there was something we wanted to ask about, we knew we could talk to them. If we had a question, we could just ask it. Very friendly, helpful and highly skilled. 

The guides in particular were very skilled; they worked really well with the groups of students. They were clear in their instructions and expectations, which is very important because walking around the bush was sometimes a bit of an unnerving experience. They were very clear when we had to be quiet, when we had to walk closer together, when we had to follow, when we had to pause, when we had to stop or listen. This helped us feel safe throughout the experience.

The experience the students had was, in one word, amazing. They saw so much and learned so much. Over the two weeks, I could really see them change, in their expressions, in the way they spoke, and in how they reflected on everything we experienced together. They were even using new words they’d learned during the day!

For me, the wildlife experience was unbelievable, and I think it was the same for the students. I don’t think they expected to see lions up close, or elephants coming right up to the vehicle and sniffing it, and in some cases even sniffing the students’ arms. That was definitely beyond what they imagined.

Even just walking through the bush, tracking animals, and realising we were stepping in places where animals had been less than half an hour earlier had a huge impact. They were impressed not only by the guides’ tracking skills, but also by the reality of being in that environment and walking where wild animals walk, literally following in their footsteps.

And again, you could see it on their faces. They were completely in awe!