From the 25th to the 30th of May 2025, ten students from the Vittoria International School took part in the Gold level Adventurous Journey of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. The chosen destination: the wild and ancient landscapes of Transylvania, Romania.
From day one, the boys faced the spartan conditions with courage: open-air baths, rare showers and sharing well water with the villagers. Instead of becoming discouraged, they adapted, choosing to sleep in the barn under the stars rather than take advantage of the warmth of a fire lit in the attic. They began to develop a strong sense of teamwork and autonomy, detaching themselves from the daily digital routine and fully immersing themselves in the experience.
During the second day of the expedition, the group realised the importance of making shared decisions: leaving late meant walking in the sun and slowing down the pace. A key moment was the evening discussion with the mentors, in which the students showed a new awareness of themselves, the group and how they are perceived externally. The Adventurous Journey is not just an activity to be completed, but an opportunity to mature, get to know each other and learn how to manage change.
Over the next few days, the children participated in workshops on local wildlife and rural life in the area: they met working horses, goats and sheep, learning how sheepdogs recognise friendship from a simple biscuit. Together with farmers and volunteers, they repaired fences and discovered how food can grow anywhere if you learn to observe carefully. The ringing of bells announced the impending rain, giving way to moments of reflection on the experience so far.
On the final day of the practical expedition, the students independently walked a 15 km route along the Transylvanian Way. Without the direct accompaniment of guides, they proved perfectly capable of finding their way, walking through the woods with songs to ward off bears and cheer the spirits. The final destination? Sighisoara, birthplace of Dracula, where they visited the fortress amid enthusiasm and a sense of conquest.
This experience will remain etched in our students' memories not only for the breathtaking landscapes, but for what they discovered about themselves: resilience, collaboration, responsibility. An adventure that enriched them deeply and that is a true example of experiential learning.
Congratulations to our Gold Award participants for the courage, maturity and spirit with which they took on this challenge!
Thanks also to Rachel's Learning Centre for proudly delivering the Duke of Edinburgh's international award at our school.
