From October 20th to 24th, 2025, QAIS Upper School students stepped beyond the classroom and into the heart of China for Week Without Walls, an immersive learning program designed to deepen global awareness, cultural understanding, and real-world inquiry. Aligned with the IB MYP and DP philosophy of developing internationally-minded learners, each grade explored a unique destination and theme.  

MYP 1 traveled to Henan as “The Kung Fu Kids,” stepping into the world of Shaolin and Taichi to study discipline, movement, and the connection between mind and body. MYP 2 and 3 journeyed to Hainan for “Island Conservation,” where coastal ecology, mangrove protection, and sustainable agriculture came to life through hands-on experiences. Meanwhile, MYP 4–5 and DP 1 explored Luoyuan and Pingtan through “Crabs, Culture, and Conservation,” engaging in marine research, aquaculture learning, and historical inquiry. These journeys were more than travel; they were experiential learning pathways that allowed students to connect with identity, environment, and community. 

Across all three programs, students engaged with real experts, local communities, and meaningful global challenges connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Whether hiking Mount Song after Kung Fu training, planting and tasting tropical fruits in Hainan, or studying horseshoe crab conservation efforts in coastal Fujian, students developed a sense of responsibility for the world they inhabit. They learned that ecological systems are fragile, cultural traditions are living and evolving, and personal growth emerges when we step outside the familiar.