Early in October, we were invited to attend a summer study tour briefing session. All Primary Five and Six students were invited to join the study tour to Cambridge during summer for two weeks. Some students agree to go but some don’t. Should we join the summer study tour?

        Firstly, “There is no education quite like the lessons of travel.” In order to understand the culture and history, being in the actual place helps us understand to a certain degree what is like and to personally experience. It may help students appreciate between their chosen fields of study to the rest of the world. It helps the students open themselves to many possibilities that are not just contained in one geographical location or culture. Students may explore new things about culture differences and be aware of certain differences between them as well as their similarities.

        Secondly, we can learn to be independent. After travelling to many places in England, there will be different things we will see that may not be available or done in Hong Kong. This will be a great experience to build friendship with friends of same or different schools and enhance social skills. It will be a good opportunity for students who wished to study overseas to experience how it is like. It will be also a good chance to brush up our English.

        On the other hand, there may be certain concerns for families and students. There is limited time for students to make immediate adjustment for time zone differences and will be exhausted for the first few days. This study tour is very costly, not many ordinary families can afford to send their children even they wanted. The programme maybe very packed and students may feel overwhelmed. 

        In my opinion, joining the summer study tour is worth for students, as we do not only learn what has designed in the study programme, but we also learn to be independent and the benefit from the trip is unmeasurable.