Few experiences complement the lessons learned in a classroom like travel. It exposes students to new ideas, places and broadens their perspective. This academic year, from 2nd to 4th December, 2011, we provided our Grade 4 and 5 students an opportunity to go on an educational excursion to Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lumbini was a unique cultural trip for the students of Grade 4 and 5, being the place where the Buddha lived until the age of 29.

During the course of the trip, students visited a number of temples and historical sites, including the Mayadevi temple and others under construction. On the way back from Lumbini, they visited Bhairahawa to get a sense of our border with India. They also visited an Industrial Estate in Chitwan. All scheduled activities were chaperoned by teachers. Although the main focus of the trip was educational, there was also plenty of room for healthy fun and personal exploration. The carefully planned itinerary allowed the participants to experience the joie de vivre, culture and heritage through visits to a variety of places.