At YCYW, we believe education extends far beyond four walls—the world is our vastest classroom. Through our Learning Beyond the Classroom philosophy, we transcend traditional boundaries by immersing students in real-world experiences. By stepping outside, they gain global perspectives, embrace diverse cultures, and cultivate independence.

These experiences bridge academic knowledge with real-life contexts while igniting a lifelong passion for learning and curiosity.

From March to April, YWIES Shanghai Lingang students embarked on global learning journeys, exploring the UK, Qilu, Lingnan, Wuyue, and Huangshan. Through Immersive Experiential Learning Programme, they learned by doing and grew through discovery.

This summer, YCYW EdFuture introduces two Summer Travelling School Programmes: OceaniaOne (Australia) and ChinaOne (China).

Here, learning isn’t passive absorption—it’s active exploration. Every journey unlocks potential; every discovery deepens understanding. Because true education knows no walls.

1Somerset, UK

Our school's sixth graders traveled to Somerset in the UK for a month-long English and cultural experience course.

01 Academic Exchange

The students visited the local Haygrove School, attending classes alongside British students and immersing themselves in the UK classroom environment, which significantly enhanced their English communication skills.

During the programme, special sessions were arranged where our students joined Haygrove students in art classes to create clay prints, as well as gardening lessons to learn horticultural skills such as pruning branches and planting flowers. These hands-on activities not only enriched their knowledge but also fostered teamwork and practical abilities.

The students also completed Trinity College London's Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE), obtaining authoritative certification of their English language proficiency.

YWIES Shanghai Lingang students were honered to be invited to Haygorve's musical concert, where the school's string orchestra and choir mesmerised the audience with their superb performance.

Our students delivered a heartfelt musical performance for Haygrove students, expressing appreciation through music.Through this harmonious exchange, students from both schools deepened mutual understanding and forged lasting friendships.

02 Cultural Immersion

Visiting Historical Buildings and Cultural Sites — Stepping into historic landmarks such as the Wookey Hole Caves and Glastonbury, the students traced the threads of British civilization through the echoes of time, gaining a deeper understanding of the UK's history, culture, and traditions.

Exploring Charming Towns and Experiencing Rural Life — In the quaint villages and countryside of England, the students enthusiastically participated in traditional rural activities, such as cheese-making and farming.

Amid the earthy fragrance and tranquil charm of the countryside, they gained a deep appreciation for British local customs and immersed themselves in the poetic beauty of rural life.

03 Nature Exploration

The forest school experience left a lasting impression on the Students. Whether it was building treehouses, cooking over campfires, or orienteering through the wilderness, these outdoor activities not only honed their practical skills and problem-solving abilities but also fostered teamwork and deepened their awareness of environmental conservation.

In nature reserves and national parks, the students observed various rare flora and fauna, gaining insights into ecosystem balance and conservation significance. Through their explorations, they also experienced firsthand the unique charm of Britain's natural landscapes.

04 London Tour

The students embarked on an immersive exploration of London's iconic landmarks and cultural treasures. They admired panoramic city views from the London Eye and enjoyed a scenic Thames River cruise. The spectacular stage production of The Lion King musical left them in awe of world-class theatrical artistry. At the British Museum, they traced the evolution of human civilization through priceless artifacts. The experience was completed with an authentic ride on the London Underground, letting them feel the vibrant pulse of the metropolitan lifestyle.

Presentation Day, students shared their study tour insights through presentations, took final assessments to evaluate their learning outcomes, and ultimately received completion certificates. With both knowledge and achievements in hand, they returned home fulfilled, bringing this enriching and meaningful educational journey to a perfect close.

This Somerset UK Immersive Experiential Learning Programme has been curated with diverse activities to promote holistic development in academic, cultural and personal dimensions. Our collaboration with Haygrove School provided authentic British educational experiences, while the rich cultural itinerary offered profound understanding of Britain's history, arts and traditions. The practical activities further enhanced students' teamwork competencies and problem-solving skills.

— UK Somerset Learning Programme Lead Teacher - Jenny Liang

2Qilu

The Grade 7 Qilu Cultural Study Tour brought students deep into Shandong's cultural heartland, unfolding an immersive educational journey across Qufu, Tai'an, Jinan and Zibo - where history and modernity converge in a living classroom.

From the Confucius Temple to Mount Tai and then to the Shandong Museum, the students deepened their understanding of the essence of Confucian culture through hands-on field research. As they ascended Mount Tai, the teachers and students not only marveled at the majestic scenery, encapsulated in the poetic line "Try to ascend the mountian's crest; it dwarfs all peaks under our feet," but also held a special seminar on Mount Tai's Fengshan ritual culture and the emperors who participated in these grand ceremonies.

At the Shandong Museum, the extensive collection of cultural relics perfectly bridges the Qilu culture from books with tangible historical artifacts, giving students a multidimensional understanding of the region's history and heritage.

This immersive learning approach transforms history from mere words on a page into something vivid and palpable.

3Lingnan

During their Lingnan culture study tour, the G6 students embarked on an in-depth cultural exploration. Traveling from Guangzhou to Chaozhou and then to Meizhou, the students visited historical sites such as the Museum of the Western Han Dynasty Mausoleum of the Nanyue King, the ancient village of Daqitou, and the Residence of Imperial Son-in-Law Xu. Through these field visits, they gained a profound understanding of the unique geographical characteristics and historical development of the Lingnan region.

During the study trip, the students focused on exploring the cultural differences and formation processes of the three major ethnic groups: Cantonese, Teochew, and Hakka. Through investigations of historical districts such as Shamian and the Foreign Merchants' Quarter, they also reflected on the influence of foreign cultures on Lingnan society.

It is particularly worth mentioning that as a vital starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, Lingnan's foreign trade history sparked strong learning interest among the students.

The students took diligent notes and discussed the maritime trade policies of the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as the cross-cultural exchanges brought by seaborne commerce, gaining valuable insights.

Every brick and tile in Lingnan serves as the finest book, perfectly embodying the educational philosophy of a "Learning outside the classroom walls"

4 Wuyue

The G5 students embarked on an educational journey through Wuyue culture, visiting Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Wuzhen. Amidst the scenic waterways of Jiangnan, they touched history and absorbed cultural wisdom firsthand.

At the Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou, the students gained a systematic understanding of the historical and cultural evolution of the Wuyue region from prehistoric times to the modern era. While strolling around West Lake, verses from their Chinese literature classes about this iconic landscape naturally came to mind...

The study experience in Suzhou proved particularly profound: students explored the architectural aesthetics and literati spirit through hands-on investigation at the classical garden "Lion Grove." At the Kunqu Opera Cultural Center and woodblock print workshop, intangible cultural heritage leaped from textbooks into reality. By personally trying their hand at creating New Year prints, students gained deep insight into the essence of traditional art.

The Wuzhen study tour proved exceptionally enriching: students experienced classical academy culture at Zhaoming Academy, explored the century-old Wuzhen Post Office to understand the evolution of communication, and immersed themselves in the cultural fabric of Jiangnan's water towns while traveling between Xizha and Dongzha. This Wuyue cultural journey perfectly demonstrated how knowledge can transcend textbooks and learning can happen anytime, anywhere.

5Huangshan

The fourth graders' Huangshan research trip extended their classroom into majestic landscapes. Children strolled along Tunxi Old Street, soaking in the ancient charm of Huizhou culture. They courageously ascended Huangshan's peaks, creating field sketches amid sea-of-clouds vistas and legendary pines—essentially relocating their art classroom into nature's grandeur.

At the Huizhou Cultural Museum, students systematically explored the region's history; in Chengkan Ancient Village, they investigated the distinctive features of Huizhou-style architecture. The most exciting part was the timber-framed architecture workshop, where children built miniature houses with their own hands, gaining hands-on understanding of traditional construction wisdom.

The study tour also featured immersive cultural experiences: At the Xie Yuda Tea Museum, students not only learned about tea culture but also participated in a two-hour hands-on session of tea picking, processing, and ceremony. In the traditional bark paper workshop, they practiced ancient paper-making techniques. The field study of Huizhou gardens gave children direct experience with the "harmony between heaven and humanity" gardening philosophy.

This unique study journey, blending nature exploration with cultural heritage, truly fulfilled its vision of "learning between heaven and earth." Through hands-on experiences, our fourth graders gained knowledge far more vivid than anything textbooks could offer.

62025 YCYW Summer 

Travelling School Programmes

In July 2025, the 2025 YCYW Summer Travelling School Programmes—OceaniaOne and ChinaOne—will lead students across mountains and seas to tackle real-world academic challenges. Through exploring diverse languages and cultures, students will build confidence, broaden their horizons, and develop into more adaptable and creative future talents by solving problems independently.

From south to north, east to west, from the past to the future, learning outside the classroom walls empowers children to freely explore the boundless world. Education is a lifelong journey of growth. At YWIES Shanghai Lingang, children broaden their horizons through experiential learning and enrich their minds through discovery—every step of their journey shines with the joy of learning and the light of wisdom.