Trendy Asian cities rival China for study tours

Taipei, Singapore and South Korea are hitting the mainland’s popularity as a destination.

Summer holidays are coming, with the promise of fun and freedom for the little ones, and study tours seem to be an attractive option that satisfies the burgeoning sense of independence and brings textbook knowledge alive.

For primary school-age children, the mainland, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia may be more suitable choices for a three- to-four-day study tour before they are ready for long-haul trips. It will also be easier to set parents’ mind at rest as schools or tour operators will not advise parents to accompany their children during the trip.

While the market is saturated with different study tour products, Matthew Nicholson, co-principal of the primary section at Yew Chung International School, has a few pointers as to what makes a study tour a truly meaningful experience for young students.

The school has a World Classroom programme for Year 5 and 6 students to go on study tours, mainly in Asia. Year 5 students can visit comparatively nearby destinations such as Xian, Beijing and Taipei.