Partnering Schools

(Our previous name is “Global Sapiens Educational Tour Limited” and "China Educational Service Limited")

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Loyal to our vision

Global Sapiens developed local expertise and connections through the sheer focus on several selected travel destinations with top-rated cultural and historical background. In Hakka Village, this kind of local expertise allowed Andrew to search easily the right local school partner for SIS. In addition, Andrew developed a route of 25-50 Km for bike excursion among idyllic clusters of Tulou villages, brought high quality bikes and helmets in the provincial city and transported them to the Hakka Village, as well as organized DIY workshops of peasant arts such as bamboo leaves weaving and puppet theater.

Andy approved the CAS elements and the first group went out in 2008 with immediate success, with verbatim feedback such as quoted below:

“This trip was truly the best trip I ever had in my life so far and it was truly a cultural, life changing experience so I just want to Thank You for this amazing trip”

Crystal Ho, Grade 12, 2008

The following are the verbatim feedback in 2011:

“… virtually all aspects of the trip were fascinating…This trip provides a range of learning experiences set against a stunning cultural background: highly recommended”

Teacher Doug Kane, 2011

“During this trip, I learnt many interesting and useful facts… the symbolic meaning of behind the Tulou. They are one of those experiences that leave us to thirst for more in depth knowledge, therefore triggering us to take action to know more even after the trip.” Emily Lee, Grade 12, 2011

From this feedback, we can see clearly how educational and therefore powerful the CAS concept is when the unique cultural background of the community that the students serve is to be appropriately explained in sufficient depth. Global Sapiens in fact augments the task of cultural learning by distributing their proprietary reading materials and by designing activities such as treasure hunt to highlight cultural issues. Given the significance of culture in becoming the skeleton to hold the memories of various CAS activities in such trips, we may perhaps even call them CCAS trip in the future, with the first C representing “Culture”.

A humble start

SIS has a long tradition of running Focus Week overseas trips for its Year 8 to 10 students. In 2006, it started a new series of CAS Trips for its Year 12 students. CAS is an IB curriculum requirement standing for “Creativity, Action and Service”. Many Focus Week trip organizers extended their offer to incorporate CAS activities in their trips. By 2008, SIS had already cultivated several reliable CAS service providers; most of them were strong in organizing service and action programs in China and the region.

In 2007, Global Sapiens, by then called China Educational Service Centre, made a cold call to the school. Andrew, Global Sapiens’ founder, wanted to speak to the teacher in charge of School Trips. Annette Chapman, the Vice Principal, was coincidentally walking pass and was attracted by Global Sapiens’ Xi’an brochure which Andrew had in his hand.

Annette in turn introduced Andy Morris, the CAS coordinator, to meet Andrew in order to find out more.

Nothing went very well in the first meeting, as Andy thought Global Sapiens’ programs were too culturally oriented. Andrew put forward the notion that CAS activities would be much more meaningful if there is a significant cross cultural dimension, and to be taken place at important heritage sites like Xi’an or Hakka Village in Fujian. Andy decided that he could give Hakka Village a marginal consideration, as its off-the-beaten-track location might have appeal to the students, as long as a suitable partner school and good action and creativity elements were in place.

Becoming steady partner

Andy decided to add our Xi’an program in parallel to Hakka Village in 2009, and since then, both Hakka and Xi’an programs have been running annually, to the great benefit of the SIS students, and to the ease of mind of the CAS coordinator and the school. Based on these successes, SIS and Global Sapiens are now trying to explore the possibility of extending the cooperation to Grade 8, 9 and 10.

(Written to commemorate the 5th Year Anniversary of Global Sapiens)

Case Study：South Island School (SIS)

A Teacher’s Comment - Andy Morris

　　Andrew first approached me in 2007 to discuss the possibility of our school using his company to support our CAS trips which at the time were in their second year. At the time he had only just started his company and I felt there was too much of an emphasis on culture. However having explained the CAS philosophy to Andrew he worked hard to provide a quality service activity with a local school which was enhanced by the beautiful scenery of Xiamen. I was excited that the students stayed in a simple Tulou Hotel. Andrew has always worked closely with me and I appreciate his personal approach and the fact that he listens and responds to suggestions. I have also been pleased that Global Sapiens offer competitive prices. The Xi'an trip started in 2009 as a new trip and although I was concerned at the age of the students we were working with (Tourism School) it has been a resounding success. Now I feel Global Sapiens is a well established company which places the quality of the student experience first. I look forward to continuing our partnership.