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Every April, the sounds of bells emit from the gates of Kang Chiao International School in New Taipei City as students take off on bikes down the steep Xindian mountain to kick off their two-week journey around Taiwan.
The annual trip for the school’s Grade 10 students takes them to every city and township on the island.
Students train for eight weekends to prepare for the various terrains and learn how to respond to signals from their instructors.
The day starts at sunrise during the trip and is broken into several shorter rides so students can take breaks to snack and refill their water bottles, as well as a longer lunch break. The day usually concludes around 6pm, when students have dinner at their hotel and prepare for the next day.
Aside from its demanding physical aspect, the journey is also a critical test of students’ mental endurance. However, with enough determination and encouragement, most can push through the hardship.
A student named Celine reflected on her trip last year, saying it helped her dispel her doubts about herself and show what she was capable of.
“School wasn’t providing me with the challenges I had hoped for. I was scared I was becoming soft and susceptible to pressure.”
Another student, Ariel, shared how her friends kept her motivated: “I wasn’t feeling well on the first day, and I fell way too many times, but my friends told me not to quit and that it would get easier.” She completed the trip safely in one piece.
This year’s trip will kick off in mid-April. Although it is challenging, students can learn a lot about themselves while experiencing the beauty of the island.
