Sri Lanka Culture and Service Learning

Overview

Highlights

Visiting tea plantations and engaging in a service activity
Cooking a delicious Sri Lankan dish and enjoying the diverse, flavourful cuisine
Immersing in the rich local culture
Searching for wild animals in a safari in the Udawalawe National Park
Learning to surf on a beautiful beach
Understanding the importance and effects of the tea industry to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and diverse ecosystems that this program will explore. By engaging in a diverse range of experiences, visiting and working in tea plantations, exploring picturesque nature and incredible wildlife through a safari in the Udawalawe National Park, learning new skills such as surfing and cooking, and immersing in deep culture, students will gain a cultural understanding of Sri Lanka and sense of community engagement. During this experience, students will learn about Sri Lanka's history, the importance of the tea industry, and how communities are trying to improve the lives of those who live there. Through hands-on experience students will further their knowledge and understanding of Sri Lanka and its people.

Countries:

Activities:

Grading:Introductory

Addressing:

Itinerary

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Day 1
Arrive in Sri Lanka

You’ll arrive at the Sri Lankan International Airport in Negombo and be transferred to the hotel in the late afternoon or evening. Over a delicious dinner you’ll be briefed on the trip and on some of the amazing culture and history of this beautiful country.

Meals: D

Day 2
To Maskeliya, Visit Local Charity

In the morning you’ll leave your hotel and start the half-day journey to Maskeliya, a beautiful hill town famous for tea plantations, its gorgeous lake and the nearby attraction of Adam’s Peak. In the afternoon, visit a local charity working to improve the lives of the people living here. You’ll learn about the historical importance and influence of the tea industry on the country, and why the area is struggling today. In the evenings you will join a workshop to learn how small NGO’s navigate politics and local issues, and how to advocate for causes you believe in.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Tea Plantation Work

Today you’ll delve deeper into the life of a tea estate worker. You’ll walk through a tea plantation to pick and weigh tea to see how much you collected and the effort taken to do so. Engage in a discussion about the reality of where our tea comes from and the lives of the plantation workers.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
To Udawalawe National Park

In the morning say goodbye to your hosts and head to Udawalawe National Park. Spend the night among the lush greenery as the lake and the surrounding Suriya Kanda Mountain envelope us in peaceful solitude. The area is home to Chandrika Wawe which is a man made reservoir and which attracts many varieties of birds and wildlife!

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Morning Safari and Surfing, Visit a Tea Estate

Make an early start with a morning safari to learn about the incredible intelligence of elephants and other animals. Mid-morning, drive to Weligama and try hand (and feet) surfing with incredible instructors on the beautiful beach! In the afternoon visit a local tea estate to learn and observe more about the Tea industry and its benefits and effects. Head north to Galle Fort, an area known for its rich colonial history - to explore the famous fort and lighthouse, followed by dinner and shopping in Pedlar Street.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Visit a Tsunami Centre, Cooking Class

This morning visit one of the local community Tsunami Centres to learn how Sri Lanka was affected by the tragic and deadly 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Visit an amazing organisation who helped with the recovery and who continues its important work. Unlock the secrets of Sri Lankan Cuisine with a fun and interactive cooking class! After lunch enjoy a game of cricket with some local students before driving back to the capital city of Colombo.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Depart Sri Lanka

In the morning, explore Gangarama Temple, do some shopping, and visit Galle Face Greent. Say goodbye and depart Sri Lanka.

Meals: B

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Life On Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Sustainable Cities And Communities: There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.

Climate Action: Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.

Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.

Inclusions

What's included

International flights as required
Teachers travelling from your school
All meals as listed (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners)
all accommodation
All transfers as listed in the itinerary
Local English-speaking driver/guide
Expert local guides
Sightseeing and site entry fees as listed

What's not included

Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
Travel insurance
Visa
Vaccinations

Grading

Introductory

Customise your program

We can fully customise a School Travel Program to suit your students' learning objectives and budget. Whether you require a Service Learning program, physical challenge, cultural immersion or certain curriculum targets - talk to one of our educational travel experts about the elements you need in your itinerary. We pride ourselves on developing unique itineraries to meet the learning requirements for schools.

World Expeditions Schools is a division of one of the world's leading adventure travel companies, World Expeditions. We can develop itineraries in any destination that is offered by World Expeditions, which is to every continent on earth.

Use our simple Expedition Design Form to contact us with your requirements and an educational travel expert will be in touch to assist.

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Testimonials

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Culture and Service Learning for School Trips in Sri Lanka

Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.