GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP JOURNEYS
Transformative Service Learning Experiences
Years’ Experience
Trusted Global Partners
Global Participants
We are proud to be a Certified B Corporation. It reinforces that together, we’re delivering programs that are not only transformative for students, but also beneficial for communities and respectful of the planet
Greater Social Equality. A More Sustainable Environment. A More Secure World for Everyone.
Challenges Abroad is a social enterprise that provides impactful, customised overseas learning program for students. Our mission is to develop the next generation of Global Citizens, who as future leaders will help shape a better future for everyone Through our programs, we ensure that students not only develop a global mindset but gain vital life and employability skills, enabling them to have a positive impact on the world through their future endeavours
The Challenges Abroad Difference
Student Impact
Developing the next generation of Global Citizens.
Community Impact Delivering long-term development projects that support local communities.
Enviornmental Impact
We are working on becoming a carbon neutral organisation.
Short-Term Programs, Long-Term Impact
Every Challenges Abroad program supports the goals and objectives of our international development charity, theFutureSenseFoundation.
Supporting sustainable development in low-incom underserved rural communities, the FutureSenseFoundatio works towards achieving a ‘Fairer World’; where each perso has the opportunity tomeet their aspirations for a better futur
Participants on a Challenges Abroad programaretherefore, n only directly impacting the community through their projec but are part of a sustainable community development initiativ that will have a long lasting, positive impact.
These experiences are literally life changing... The three big outcomes are confidence, resilience, and communication skills. They come back taller. Challenges Abroad has an amazing mission to build more Global Citizens, and the team have been brilliant
Ciaran, Head Teacher, Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School
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Service-Learning Programs
Our Service-Learning Programs enable students to step out of their comfort zone whilst building their understanding of the wider world, learning about new cultures and fostering meaningful connections with the local community Our programs are carefully curated to have three core elements:
Community Engagement:
Students will share skills and contribute to long term, sustainable projects by delivering a variety of workshops at our local partner schools Themes could include conversation English, STEM, creative arts, sports leadership, wellbeing and more
Cultural Immersion:
Students will engage in cross-cultural exchange and participate in cultural activities throughout their program All our destinations boast an incredible culture and history, and students will delve deeper into this vibrant heritage through various activities
Global Citizenship
By experiencing how different communities live, broadening cultural awareness and enhancing global perspectives, this program aims to inspire students to continue learning about the wider world and making a positive impact through their future endeavours.
Key Objectives:
Work towards achieving the UN Goals for Sustainable Development, supporting the FutureSense Foundation
Provide a structured and reflective experience for students, as they apply their knowledge and skills in a practical, real-world setting.
Ensure there is mutual benefit and learning for the local community and student participants.
Sample Itinerary
Days 1-3: Arrival & Orientation
From arrival, the group is supported by our local team. You’ll be welcomed at the airport before transferring to our Hub for time to settle in and a welcome dinner.
The following days include a comprehensive induction with health & safety briefing, cultural & language orientation, a local tour, program briefing, partner school visit, and initial workshop planning to prepare students for their project work.
Days 4-7: Project Days
Throughout their project days, students actively engage with local communities by delivering workshops at partner schools and participating in hands-on environmental initiatives such as tree planting and community clean-ups Each day is carefully structured to include time for planning, guided reflection and debriefs, as well as evening cultural activities that deepen students’ understanding of the local context and their impact
Days 8-9: Weekend Activities
We can organise your weekend to balance cultural immersion, exploration, and rest. Groups can enjoy a range of meaningful experiences and bucket-list highlights, including visits to iconic landmarks, opportunities to engage with local culture, and time to recharge. These experiences are designed to complement project work and allow students to further connect with the destination while creating lasting memories as a group.
Days 10-15: Project Days & Departure
During the second week of project days, the daily schedule maintains the same structured approach, with time allocated for project work, planning, guided reflections, and evening cultural activities.
At the conclusion of the program, our team will ensure a smooth departure, transferring the group to the airport to say farewell and wish them a safe journey home
Our Student Impact
96% of students felt they had returned home with increased confidence
94% of students felt they had returned home with increased
96% of students felt their program had greatly impacted their resilience adaptability
97% felt their experience had impacted their cultural awareness
My Global Citizenship journey was a life-changing and has inspired me to experience the world more!
85% of students felt their program helped to develop their
96% felt their experience strengthened their leadership skills communication skills teamwork skills
95% of students felt their experience had helped develop their
90% felt their experience helped to develop their problemsolving skills
Where We Work
Our 8 key community hubs with permanent in-country teams.
We also offer a diverse range of destinations for study tours, providing students with the opportunity to further enhance their learning through practical experiences that bring their courses to life.
Panama
Positioned at the crossroads of North and South America, Panama brings together diverse cultures, ecosystems and ideas - with dense rainforests, unique wildlife and a rich cultural tapestry
Tanzania Peru
Peru is a destination that ignites the imagination and invites adventure at every turn; shaped by ancient civilisations, dramatic landscapes and living cultural traditions.
Tanzania captures the spirit of adventure and the power of human connection - from the Serengeti to Mount Kilimanjaro, this is a truly iconic backdrop for exploration, challenge and discovery.
From vibrant mar and wildlife, U powerful mix of co cultural immersio in one of East welcoming d
Uganda
kets to waterfalls ganda offers a ommunity impact, on, and adventure t Africa’s most destinations.
India
With the aroma of world-famous cuisine, iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal and foothills of the Himalayas where our Hub is based, India offers an unforgettable backdrop for adventure
Cambodia Nepal
Nepal is a vibrant hub filled with culture, tradition and history - from UNESCO World Heritage sites like Durbar Square to the iconic Monkey Temple, every corner tells a story centuries in the making.
From the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat to the energy of Phnom Penh and charm of local communities, Cambodia is a country where ancient history and modern resilience collide
Thailand
Beyond the buzz of Bangkok and the famous beaches lies a country shaped by deep cultural diversity, with over 70 ethnic minority groups and communities whose stories are rarely told
To me, a Global Citizen is someone who is aware of and understands the wider world and their place in it. They play an active role in their community and work alongside others to make our planet more peaceful, sustainable and fairer.
Travelling Student, 2024
Preparation and Support
All of our programs follow a standardised structure which enables us to customise the support for different student groups based upon their program and in country project focus. The structure includes the following modules:
Pre-departure:
Students will receive a welcome pack upon registration and detailed briefing documents. We will run a welcome meeting and relevant pre departure briefing sessions to ensure learners are prepared and excited for their program.
In-country orientation:
The first few days in-country are spent with our team on the ground, learning more about the country and culture, understanding the health and safety processes and how the project they will undertake will fit with the long-term development plans.
Project days:
Students will spend their days engaged with their community project, while also having time for planning and preparation Their dedicated in-country mentor is there every step of the way to guide them through this process.
Reflection sessions:
While they have an opportunity for a quick daily debrief, we aim to provide students the opportunity to spend time at the end of the week reflecting on what they have experienced and help them process some of the challenges they may have faced
Post program debrief:
Students will participate in a final debrief while in country and upon their return receive a structured feedback form from Challenges Abroad to reflect on the learning from their experience 4 to 6 weeks after their return Challenges Abroad will host a debrief session with the university faculty to reflect on their overall learning from the experience
Risk Management
We believe that proactive risk management is crucial for achieving our mission and take our duty of care to ensure the safety of all program participants very seriously.
Our risk management strategy begins with a thorough assessment of potential risks associated with our projects, operations & partners This process includes identifying, analysing, and prioritising risks, both internal and external, that could impact our ability to fulfill our mission We continuously update and refine our risk assessment to adapt to the evolving landscape of challenges and opportunities.
Our processes have been designed keeping in mind the guidelines from DFAT, and we have best-in-class critical incident management and reporting processes. We undertake thorough risk assessments for every activity and ensure appropriate risk mitigation is in place so that our participants remain safe while exploring the world
We ensure that...
Every program activity has been risk assessed with safety audits conducted and can provide school with information required to complete pre trip processes
We have real-time safety management system with a robust emergency response process
All participants have 24/7 support from our in-country staff
Every participant has arranged a comprehensive travel insurance (mandatory)
We conduct a comprehensive program briefing process to ensure students are well prepared for their program
Hear From Our Global Community
From chemistry class to life-changing adventures: how one teacher is transforming students through global challenges.
Marcus Rutland, a chemistry teacher at Queen Mary's College, has led four Challenges Abroad expeditions, taking 68 students to Cambodia, Panama, Nepal, and India. With a fifth trip now in the planning stages, Marcus shares why these trips matter far more than any classroom lesson ever could.
What Marcus has discovered resonates deeply with today's challenges. The trips promote "an optimism in them that the students often didn't have before... not because we've shown them that life can be so much shinier than anything they've seen but, in a bizarre way, that we've shown them that the glamorous things they’ve seen online aren’t actually what matters."
Instead, students discover something more valuable: "The simple things of people living and working together, being part of a community that supports each other, eating and sharing life together – those things are amazing and accessible and real and out there, and they can be a part of that "
The impacts last far beyond the trip.
Some students have gone on to overseas work directly because of their experience. Others stay in touch and talk about their trip as one of their happiest memories and a real turning point in their lives
After four countries and 68 students, Marcus sums it up as an "unrivalled experience." The combination of robust preparation, the right partnerships, and genuine commitment creates something special: Young people who return home not just with stamps in their passports, but with an expanded sense of who they are and what they're capable of in this "amazing planet with all of its opportunities."
As Marcus puts it simply: "It's gold dust."
Eye-Opening
“This program pushed me to be uncomfortable which allowed me to overcome my fears of failure.
I was put into some many challenging situations that provoked growth. The connections I've made with everyone will last forever and have opened my eyes to the vast world ”
Global Citizen, Rommie Cambodia
Life-Changing
“This trip has been an amazing and life changing experience for me... it’s really made me grow as a person, it’s greatly improved my confidence and independence, and I have made some incredible memories!”
Global Citizen, Sarah Thailand
Growth
“My trip to Peru was incredible! Not only was I able to help make a difference, but I was able to learn about and connect with the traditional culture I also learnt how easy it can be to communicate with others even when you don't share a language as long as you are open and friendly which was a beautiful experience ”
Global Citizen, Charlie Peru
Contact Us:
Email: schools@challengesabroad.com.au
Website: www.challengesabroad.com.au
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