Impact Trips

By William Johnston

Over this first semester, a group of Dalat students went on an Impact Trips to both Perak and Johor. Last week during chapel, Mrs. Ailee Chan decided to bring two groups of students from both trips up on stage to interview them about their experience during the trip. 

Each team took their turns to speak and spoke about their experiences. The students had come from many different backgrounds their intentions and opinions on the trip varied greatly. While some had felt that they were prepared and others said they weren’t, but a common theme emerged of them finding that their decisions were the right ones.

One student, Lei Tee (12), had a positive attitude towards the trip during a later interview about his trip over fall break.

WJ: “What did you do during the trip?”

LT: “We planned and organized activities for the children in Perak and spent time with the community. The primary goal was to have fun with the children and expose them to English.”

LT: “In addition to service, the impact team also dedicated a lot of time for reflection, went tubing, and ate a lot of good food.”

WJ: “Did you know who you were going on the trip with? How many people were there?”

LT: “The team was composed of 17 people, led by Mr. Yoo, Ms. Keister, and Mr. Chin.  We did not know whom we would be going with when we signed up, but I was glad to learn that there was another senior guy coming along the trip with me: Trevor Nichols (12). All members played a valuable role in the trip, and there are several memories that stand out to me when I think about the trip. Nicole Khor (12) was our photographer, Judson Nosker (9) fostered good music, and Abraham Latham (10) drank a lot of juice.”

WJ: “What made you decide to go on an Impact Trip?”

LT: “I signed up for impact because I wanted senior year to be memorable, and I hadn't done service in a while and thought it would be a good opportunity.”

WJ: “Would you recommend for anyone to go on an Impact Trip?”

LT: “Impact really connects you with other people and cultures in a way other service methods don't. For those who are considering going on an Impact Trip, I definitely recommend it. I went on 4 multi-day school trips this semester, and Impact was the most fulfilling.”

Now that Impact Trips are back after a long period of the virus preventing travel, many students can impact those outside of their community in a positive and meaningful way. The next set of Impact Trips will be in semester 2!