Being in Sumatra for GCW, I learned about the wildlife and how the orangutans in Sumatra desperately need our help. Studying in an International School, we have the power to help and even in small ways change the lives of the orangutans of Sumatra. Living in an environment that I am not usually used to, I learn more about how others who do not have as much as me live. They live a simple life, and they really do not need much to be happy. I have also learned a lot about myself, and how I could do much for change in Sumatra. Just by simply stop buying too much palm oil, I can create much change.
During this coarse, I have changed to become a better/nicer person. I understand more about the less fortunate people, and how they live. This experience was very different to what I thought I was going to experience. It was much more fun, and I know this is only my first GCW but this can be argued as one of the best GCW trips. Similar thought I had on this trip was that I was going to have a lot of fun with the friends that joined me on the trip.
One of the most challenging parts of this trip was when we went on a “three hour” hike on a mountain. On the way down, we were separated into two groups, the group that was going down the hard way, and the group going down the easy way. During the hard way, our guide, Mr. Tom, told us that it would take over three hours to get down from the mountain. Our group has done it in just over 1 hour and 30 minutes. Mr. Tom was surprised and we were rewarded with a trip to a hot spring right afterwards. This was most rewarding because after the very exhausting trip, we ate a very delicious lunch, and enjoyed ourselves in the hot springs.
Though many in the trip were complaining about the bugs and insects in our rooms. They eventually got over it, though it was near the end of the trip, it was great to see them overcome their fear of bugs and adapt to their surroundings. Others also “disconnected” themselves from their phones and the Internet. It was very challenging for one of my friends but eventually she had to just give up and enjoy the beautiful sites that we were fortunate to be looking at. During this trip, our group became much closer together and I have met different people that I now talk to in the hallways of our school while passing by to my next class.