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In High School at each grade, all students experience a week-long off-campus learning experience that we call Interim.
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Interim is designed to challenge the hearts, minds and bodies of HKIS high school students, and forms an integral part of the high school curriculum. It is a graduation requirement for all high school students.
Interim is a challenging and ambitious program with many goals. It provides opportunities to build community among the grades and promotes learning by hands-on involvement. Interim exposes students to cultural diversity, and challenges pre-conceived notions through discussion and reflection. The program encourages the development of communication and leadership skills, self-reliance and compassion.
Ideally, the Interim experience draws students out of their usual physical, emotional and intellectual comfort zones, with a view to enabling greater self-knowledge and a richer understanding of the world around them. Consequently the offerings and opportunities in Interim are diverse, and include the arts, outdoor adventure, cross-cultural learning and community service activities, in Hong Kong, Europe, and throughout Asia.
The Interim Committee, comprising teachers, students, parents, the High School Associate Principal - Student Life, and the High School Principal, approves all courses.
The countries and locations have been selected because of their level of security.
Student Medical Insurance
Please note that HKIS expects all of its students to be enrolled in a health insurance plan. HKIS does not provide medical coverage for students when accidents occur during school-related activities.
If your child is not covered by health insurance, please e-mail Joanna Wilson at jwilson@hkis.edu.hk in the Business Office for an insurance company referral.
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"We spent a week working and living with families in Rayong, Thailand helping families to rebuild their homes. One of the moments I liked best was during the digging of the septic tank. We cleared the ground of weeds and tiles and then began to dig. At one point the local workmen told us we were working too hard and too long without resting, and convinced us to take more breaks. I made many new friends with the people of the village and with members of the HKIS group who were new to me."
Nicholas Baggaley
"When I leave HKIS after completing my studies, I will always remember the friendships and fantastic times I had in the Interims."
Michael Chan
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On the Habitat Build Bangkok
"While I was in Bangkok, I experienced a peace within myself. I hardly ever thought about school, the piles of homework and college applications. The hustle-bustle of Hong Kong left my mind. It was truly an amazing way to spend thanksgiving break. When I was building it was like I just knew what to do without frying my brain. Yes I was sore after every day and getting up in the morning hurts but all the tension that I has from stress went away, it was a nice kind of soreness.
Every day was a highlight for me. One highlight that was unique was the eight of us who went on the build last year got to go back and visit the village of Rom Klao. We sat at the back of Hanzel’s pick-up truck for two hours there and back, with the wind hitting our faces, and our butts sliding everywhere, but there were no complaints. It was all worth it.
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It was so touching to see the village, the kids and the homeowners again. I couldn’t believe that even some of the kids remembered us. They were shy at first, but warmed up to us really quickly. It was a great privilege getting to see those people again. We were amazed at the sight of our hand-built finished houses. Wee couldn’t believe our eyes, someone was actually living in the houses we helped build. We were all so proud. After seeing these houses again, I realized that we can make a difference in the world, even if it’s just one or two families.
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One way I think I transformed was from the attitude I had last year. Last year I was more clumsy when building the house. Like when we were building the walls, we tried to finish it as quickly as possible because we wanted to see tangible results. This year when I went back to Rom Klao and visited the two houses it changed my view and raised my awareness. I realized that these houses actually belonged to somebody and that they are actually living in them. This year, I got to build a wall all by myself and I did it with the utmost care. I didn’t care that I was the slowest. Paid attention to every detail, filling every crack, and making sure that the wall was straight. After I finished I felt so accomplished. It was definitely worth the time spent. I was so surprised when the homeowner came up to me to thank me. He said, and Mr Tu translated “Don’t tell your friends, but your wall is the best wall out of all the others.” I was really touched that somebody actually noticed that I gave my full effort to this one wall. This definitely motivated me in general. He even went to get chalk for me so that I could sign my name on the wall. I was so moved by his gesture, and I gave him a hug.
People ask me why I signed up for the same build again. All I have to say is that it is not the same experience. Every build is unique in its own way, even though the purpose is basically the same. The builds I’ve been on were completely different. I am shocked every day we drive into the village. You really get to meet a good variety of people, and not just people from HKIS. Builds are also great time for bonding and creating friendships with other grades. The surprising thing is that you really get to see different sides of people. There is one girl on the trip that I’ve heard stuff about at school. I must admit that I stuck with those opinions of her at first, but after the first day I found that those opinions about her didn’t matter and were probably false impressions, because she is such a considerate person. I was really impressed with how reflective and thoughtful some people I never thought could be like that, were. "
Rachel Fong
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INTERIM 2008 COURSES ON OFFER
1 Australia – Brisbane Wildlife Sanctuary
Adventure
2 Australia – Horseback Riding in The Snowy
Mountains
3 Australia – Melbourne Coastal Experience
4 Australia – Out and About Down Under
5 Australia – Perth and Surf
6 Cambodia: Service and Culture
7 Cambodia - Where Service and Play Come
Together
8 China: Finding Shambhala
9 China: Free The Children
10 China – Service, Diversity and Heritage
11 Europe - Rome: The Eternal City
12 Europe – Spain: Past and Present
13 Europe – Switzerland: Ski Trip to Verbier
14 Fiji – The Way The World Should Be
15 Hong Kong: Artist for a Week
16 Hong Kong - Blue Water Sailing Adventure
17 Hong Kong - Out and About
18 Hong Kong - Service at Caritas Lok Yi School
19 Hong Kong – Social Awareness
20 Hong Kong - Week in The Wild
21 Hong Kong – You Are What You Eat
22 India – Service Through Sharing Knowledge
23 India – The Children of Kolkata
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24 Japan – Chrysanthemum and The Sword
25 Japan On Foot
26 Japan – Winter Mountaineering, Outward Bound
27 Kinabalu – Exploring The Maliau Basin
28 Malaysia - Habitat for Humanity, Kuching
29 Mongolia – Exploring and Service in Ulaan
Baatar
30 New Zealand – Eco Challenge
31 New Zealand: Meeting of The Nations
32 New Zealand: Mohaka River Fly-
fishing/canoeing Expedition
33 New Zealand – Mountain Biking
34 Taiwan Hearts and Minds
35 Thailand – Advanced Scuba Diving
36 Thailand – Beginner Scuba Diving
37 Thailand – Ethnic Minorities in Northern Thailand
38 Thailand – Golf in The Kingdom
39 Thailand - Habitat for Humanity, Chiang Mai
40 Thailand - Habitat for Humanity, Khao Lak
41 Thailand – Reefs to Rainforests Ecotour
42 Thailand – Sea Canoeing Around Koh Yao
43 Thailand – Service in Pattaya
44 Vietnam – Christina Noble Children’s
Foundation, Ho Chi Minh City
45 Vietnam - Phu My Orphanage - Ho Chi Minh City
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AUSTRALIA
BRISBANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY ADVENTURE
DESCRIPTION: A relaxing 75-minute cruise from Brisbane across Moreton Bay puts our Interim group at Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort. A highlight of the stay is the opportunity to interact closely with native wildlife. Every evening dolphins will swim up to the beach where they will be hand-fed fresh fish by the group and the Dolphin Care staff; in the mornings it is the pelicans’ and cormorants’ turn to enjoy a bucket or two of fish.
Tangalooma also offers a wide range of outdoors activities such as archery, snorkeling, bushwalking, nocturnal walks and wilderness 4WD escorted tours. Our trip also includes a sightseeing tour of Brisbane, as well as a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Park, the world’s first and largest koala conservation park.
In Lamington National Park we will visit Cape Moreton, the Ocean Beach and the Blue Lagoon, and take a trip into the “Desert” for the exhilarating sport of Sand Tobogganing. Lamington National Park contains Australia’s largest preserve of pristine subtropical rainforest, and a system of gently graded trails allow us easy access to palm-filled valleys with crystal-clear rivers and waterfalls, and to mist covered tops (1100 metres) clothed in cool-temperate rainforests. In between we will visit the spectacular eroded cliffs, enjoy wonderful vistas from prominent points and stroll through the wildflowers in shrubby heartlands.
This course endeavors to promote an appreciation for unique environments around the world through responsible accommodations and operators who are dedicated to preserving and sharing their environmental treasures. The course will strive to encourage self-discovery in easy outdoor activities at beginner levels, provide a foundation for group awareness and teamwork, and encourage an appreciation of our environment and its resources.
ACTIVITY RISK LEVEL: 3
SKILLS: Must be comfortable with outdoor activities, camping, hiking, swimming,
and environmental appreciation.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Students must be responsible about obtaining proper backpacks/baggage, shoes, and attire for the interim.
COST: Please refer to Appendix
TRAVEL VISAS ARE TO BE SECURED BY THE STUDENT NO LATER THAN
FEBRUARY 1;
PARTICIPANTS: 20 students
INTERIM LEADERS: Mr. Tim Gavlik and Ms. Nancy Diehl
TRAVEL DATES:
FLIGHT DEPART HONG KONG ARRIVE HONG KONG
Day and Date Saturday, March 1 Saturday, March 8
The nature and purpose of this course will expose students to a degree of risk not typical of on-campus classes.
At most times during the course immediate telephone communication will not be available.
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