Adaptability, independence and global-mindedness; these are some of the key characteristics that International School Bangkok (ISB) aims to foster in students. This is why, each year, over 1000 ISB students travel, often as much as three times a year, to take part in over 100 off campus school trips. These experiential learning experiences are designed to push students beyond their comfort levels, in a safe but challenging environment. Students deepen their cultural understanding of the places they visit, they engage in service learning opportunities, and they develop resilience and grit.
This month saw ISB’s biggest program of the year, Global Citizenship Week (GCW) for their High School students. Often known as “Week Without Walls” in international schools, GCW sees over 600 students taking part in trips around Thailand and abroad as far as Nepal and Oman. Beyond this, ISB students also take part in outdoor education excursions to their own Environmental Wilderness Campus, travel across Southeast Asia for cultural and sporting conventions and much more.
To support and foster the sustainable growth of off-campus activities, ISB has renewed its multi-year partnership with International SOS, the world leaders in travel health and security risk management.
Through the partnership, ISB staff and trip leaders have access to a team of dedicated medical doctors and security specialists on hand for risk assessments, immediate advice and assistance.
“At ISB a detailed risk assessment is carried out prior to every outing. The on-the-ground expertise and global reach provided by International SOS lends greater accuracy and therefore effectiveness to our risk assessments,” says Mark Hevland, Director of Risk Management for ISB.
Operating in Thailand for over 30 years, International SOS works with over 80% of the Fortune Global 100 companies, in addition to embassies, NGOs and educational institutions. International SOS works with over 500 schools in the Asia Region in support of their client’s student and teacher welfare and safeguarding agenda.
18 years ago International SOS introduced its award-winning TravelTracker digital platform in response to the challenges faced by many multinational organizations locating their employees during the 9/11 attacks in New York. The technology enables organisations to locate, contact and assist travelers wherever they are in the world. Many schools, including ISB, have now widely adopted the tool to help balance their duty of care agenda with the increase in global mobility of their students and faculty.
“By combining award-winning technology and innovation with the experience and expertise of our medical and security staff, we ensure that organizations can manage their travel risk proactively. With an International SOS partnership our clients reduce the likelihood of a medical or security event affecting their people,” says Robert Tyler from International SOS Thailand.
