A Residential Is Not Just a Trip
Discover how residential trips at The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ), a leading British international school in Jakarta, help pupils build independence, resilience, and global awareness through learning beyond the classroom.
In education, few experiences are as transformative as a residential trip. Beyond classroom walls, pupils encounter challenges, discoveries, and moments of growth that cannot be replicated in daily school life. At ISJ we believe these opportunities are not optional enrichments, but a vital part of what it means to provide a truly rounded British international education.
Residential trips form an essential part of a well-rounded education, giving pupils the opportunity to develop independence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of the world beyond the classroom.
This year, our pupils will travel both near and far — from the cultural richness of Bali to the historic landscapes of Ipswich in the United Kingdom. The destinations may differ, but the purpose remains the same: to help children develop independence, strengthen community, and see the world with fresh eyes.
Stepping Towards Independence
For many pupils, a residential school trip marks the first time they have spent several nights away from home. What begins with the challenge of packing a bag or finding the confidence to sleep in a new place quickly becomes an important step towards independence.
These small but significant moments — organising belongings, managing routines, or supporting a friend — lay the foundations for resilience and responsibility that secondary school and life beyond will demand.
Learning Through Community
Residentials are also experiences in community. Living together, sharing meals, and taking responsibility for one another creates bonds that ordinary school days rarely offer. Whether preparing dinner in a Balinese villa or working alongside peers in Ipswich, pupils learn that teamwork and empathy are not abstract ideals but daily habits.
Such shared living strengthens the values of kindness, cooperation, and respect that lie at the heart of our school. At ISJ, these experiences reinforce what it means to be part of a caring international school community in Jakarta.
ISJ pupils ready to step beyond their comfort zone.
Broadening Horizons
Perhaps the greatest gift of a residential trip is the way it broadens pupils’ horizons. A journey to Bogor or Bali allows them to experience Indonesia’s natural beauty and cultural heritage in ways no textbook could capture. A visit to Ipswich offers the chance to experience a different culture altogether — to walk new streets, to collaborate with peers across continents.
These encounters remind children that they belong to a global story, one in which they have both a voice and a responsibility. They are global citizens, and a trip to the UK enables them to see first-hand how connected education can be between Jakarta and the wider world.
Growth Through Challenge
Of course, residentials are not without their challenges. A longer hike than expected, a new food to try, or the courage to begin a conversation with someone who speaks differently — each requires pupils to step beyond their comfort zone.
Yet it is precisely in these moments that they discover new reserves of confidence. Time and again, we see pupils return with greater self-belief, more willingness to take risks in their learning, and a deeper openness to new experiences.
Lasting Memories
And then there are the memories: the laughter in dormitories, the thrill of a new adventure, the quiet pride of overcoming a challenge. These are moments pupils carry with them for years to come.
Ask any adult and they will recall their own school residentials with clarity and affection. Such memories shape not only friendships but also a shared sense of belonging within the ISJ community.
Why It Matters
Residentials, then, are about much more than travel. They are about preparing children for life — helping them become independent, resilient, empathetic, and curious. They remind us that education is not confined to the classroom but lived out in every challenge faced and every adventure embraced.
“When pupils are away from the familiarity of home or school, they reveal remarkable strengths — teamwork, leadership, empathy — that can’t always be seen in a classroom setting,” says William Harrison, Deputy Head (Academic). “Those experiences shape not only their confidence but their character, and that’s what a truly holistic education is about.”
At The Independent School of Jakarta, we are proud to offer these experiences, knowing they help our pupils grow into young people who are not only knowledgeable but confident, compassionate, and ready for the wider world.