World Challenge for students

It’s completely normal to worry about this, but you won’t be doing World Challenge on your own. You’ll prepare and travel as part of a team, and getting to know people you might not normally spend time with is a big part of it.  

You will rely on each other and work together from Day One. That means groups become close surprisingly quickly. You’ll share challenges, decisions, laughs and some unforgettable moments. Many students come home with friendships that last long after the expedition is over.

Don’t rule yourself out straight away. Many World Challenge students have raised money towards their expedition, and fundraising often becomes an important part of the experience itself. 

It takes effort and creativity, but young people like you have found all sorts of ways to do it. From events and sponsored challenges to small businesses, jobs and community fundraising. You’ll pick up some real organisational and entrepreneurial skills along the way. Plenty say getting to their target was what they were proudest of before they’d even left.  

And you won’t be alone. We’ll give you ideas, resources and support to help you get started.

You don’t need to be an athlete, but you do need to be ready for expedition life. This could mean trekking, carrying a backpack, different weather, early starts and being active for longer than you’re used to.  

We’ll tell you what your expedition involves so you have plenty of time to prepare. Some regular activity beforehand makes a big difference. Attitude and a willingness to keep going matter just as much.

Feeling nervous about getting ill, missing home or being outside your comfort zone is completely understandable.  

You’ll have a trained Expedition Leader, your teacher(s) and your team around you throughout. They’ll be backed by World Challenge’s 24/7 Operations Centre, with medical support if you ever need it.  

There may be moments when expedition life feels difficult, and learning that you can work through them is often one of the things young people tell us they’re proudest of.

Your education comes first, and World Challenge is designed to sit alongside school rather than compete with it. Most expeditions run in the summer holidays, after exams rather than during them. 

Preparation will be required before you travel, so being organised and starting early helps, particularly around busy exam periods. Your school and World Challenge team will tell you what needs doing and when. 

Learning to manage your time, commitments and responsibilities is also part of the experience. 

The places you visit will be unforgettable, but World Challenge is about much more than seeing somewhere new. 

You’ll be challenged to take responsibility, make decisions, work with other people and deal with situations that are unfamiliar or difficult. Most students come home more confident, independent and clearer about what they’re capable of. 

It’s an adventure, but it’s also an opportunity to develop skills and experiences that can stay with you at college or university, in job interviews and at work.

Possibly! If you think World Challenge would be a great fit for your school, let us know and we can get in touch with a teacher to explore whether an expedition could work for your school. 

You can also speak to a teacher yourself. Sometimes, all it takes is one student to get the conversation started.