In summer 2027, I have an amazing opportunity to take part in a 15-day school trip to northern India, based around Dharamsala in the Indian Himalayas. The main purpose of this trip is to learn from communities in India while developing a deeper understanding of global issues and factors such as poverty reduction, social justice and environmental protection.

What we’ll be doing in India

We’ll mainly be based in Dharamsala, also known as “Little Lhasa” and home to the Dalai Lama. While there, we will:

• Meet Tibetan refugees and hear first-hand about their experiences of displacement and life in exile

•Volunteering in a community kitchen.

• Visit the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and the Tibet Museum to better understand issues around human rights and identity

• Spend time at Buddhist monasteries to learn about meditation, daily life and ethical living

• Visit the Tibetan Children’s Village School, which educates thousands of refugee and orphaned children

• Learn about social enterprises such as Dolls4Tibet, which supports women through fair-trade work

We will also travel to Amritsar to visit the Golden Temple, where we will volunteer in the community kitchen that feeds thousands of people every day, regardless of background or belief.

Learning beyond the classroom.

A key aim of the trip is to understand global issues by seeing them in real life rather than only studying them in lessons. The programme focuses on:

• Poverty and development

• Refugees and human rights

• Sustainability and climate responsibility

• Religion, culture and ethics

This approach helps ensure that the communities we visit are not treated as case studies, but as people whose experiences we learn from respectfully.

Trekking in the Himalayas.

Part of the journey includes a three-day trek in the Himalayan foothills. While this is physically challenging, it’s designed to help us better understand resilience, teamwork and responsibility- qualities that are important when working respectfully in global contexts.

Why this experience matters to me

Although the focus of the trip is on the communities we visit, it will also shape me as a person. It will help me become more informed, empathetic and aware of my responsibilities as a global citizen.

The experience will help me to:

• Understand different cultures and perspectives

• Develop confidence, independence and leadership skills

• Learn about global challenges in a meaningful and respectful way

The trip also contributes towards the ASDAN Universities Award, which is recognised by UCAS.

How I’m funding the trip

My personal fundraising target is £2,500, which will go towards the cost of the trip.

I’m committed to raising as much of this as possible myself through:

• Odd jobs in the local community and helping family and friends

• Individual fundraising challenges

• Joint fundraising events organised with my school

• Asking anyone who might usually give Christmas or birthday money to consider donating a small amount towards the trip instead

Why I’m asking for support

Reaching my £2,500 target isn’t something I can do alone.

Any donation, no matter how small, helps support a trip that benefits real communities and allows students like me to learn responsibly and give back. Sharing this page also makes a big difference.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and for supporting me.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the trip please contact me.

Lewis