A field trip is definitely a wonderful program for every school to enhance knowledge and insights for its students by exploring remarkable and significant places or countries.
As a leading international school in North Sulawesi, Manado Independent School (MIS) designs local, national, or international field trips every year. What are the benefits of field trips? Here are some benefits the students could get: Students may gain more knowledge through exploration.; They are trained to be independent individuals.; Boredom and burnout from studies can be eliminated.; Students may learn to socialize with their peers and teachers.; They may be able to observe and learn about historical places and the culture and practices of particular places or countries.
In the post pandemic period, MIS revived its field trip activities. For international, they visited Japan. While the local field trip destinations were the following areas in North Sulawesi: Tasik Oki, Waruga, Kuwil Dam, Clay Pot at Pulutan, Batik Malalayang, National Search and Rescue Agency, Aqua factory, Tuna Fish Canned Factory, Oil Factory, Pa’Dior, Moraya Fortress, PLTG Lahendong, PLTA Tanggari, PLTS Likupang, BNI Bank, and Tax Office.
Here are some thoughts and testimonies from some students who joined the local or international field trips. Michiko Lumanauw, grade 8, admitted that her field trip experience was very fun and educational because she learned many new things. “We visited two places: a canned tuna factory called Samudra Mandiri Sentosa (SMS) in Bitung, and the Kuwil Dam. In the factory, we learned about the procedures from canning, storing, handling, and shipping of the products to local, national, and global markets.”
Meanwhile, Kayla Ferdinand, grade 11, who joined the International Field Trip to Japan, said that the field trip was joyful, memorable, and educational. During the field trip, she admitted to learning a lot of new things. “I learned that there is a Statue of Liberty in Japan that was given by France to the Japanese; Another interesting learning fact was the history of noodles and cup noodles; and Japanese stuff is quite expensive, however, tax-free can be availed if you purchase things worth over 5000 Yen.”
According to Kayla, every moment in Japan was exciting. Nevertheless, the most memorable moments happened in Gotenba and Disneyland. “What made this trip extra special and fun is that I went with some of the senior friends who are graduating very soon. In other words, this is their last field trip as students in MIS. Disneyland was an awesome place for amusement and picture-taking, however, Gotenba was a place where shopping was fun. A lot of money was spent in this place due to the tax-free policy that makes products cheap, affordable, and alluring.” Kayla said.
MIS hopes that all students truly enjoyed this awesome, yearly activity and that those who joined and participated have genuinely learned new things that are useful in their journey as students and life-long learners.
