Cambodia Yr 10 Service Learning BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Transcription

1 Cambodia 2018 Yr 10 Service Learning BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

2 Welcome to Rustic Pathways Hello and welcome! We are delighted to partner with Brisbane Grammar School (BGS) again in 2018 to provide your Yr 10 Cambodia Service Learning program. Rustic Pathways specialises in community service, education, and adventure travel programs for high school students. For the past 34 years, we ve been widely viewed internationally as the world leader in our field, and 2018 will mark the seventh year of our partnership with BGS. We hope you will join us on this transformational journey. MISSION We empower students through innovative and responsible travel experiences to positively impact lives and communities around the world. VISION Rustic Pathways is committed to creating a world where: Travel is accepted as an essential part of every education Travel is a model of sustainable development All people are connected by a shared humanity and all decisions are made with a global perspective VALUES Integrity - We demand all actions be guided by an ethical code of dignity, honesty, and fairness. Excellence - We hold ourselves to the highest standard of quality in everything we do. We are committed to constant improvement through diligence and determination. Pioneering Spirit - We are free-thinkers, trendsetters, and boundary-pushers. We praise critical thought, curiosity, and creativity. We believe change stems from the power of ideas. Passion - We infuse energy and joy into everything we do. We create positive energy. Our passion is genuine and contagious. We believe in what we do. Teamwork - Together we overcome challenges and accomplish the extraordinary. We are better as a team than as individuals. Community - We are a family. We cherish diversity and inclusivity. We actively connect people from across the world to create a shared humanity. Global Responsibility - We always consider the impact of our actions on people, the planet, and our future. We all have a duty to create positive change in the world. Safety - We strive to protect the safety and health of our students and staff through proper planning, prevention, and coordinated response.

3 Program Curriculum Rustic Pathways partners with schools and teachers to deliver innovative educational programs that extend beyond the classroom to 19 different countries. Below is a snapshot of the general structure of the BGS Cambodia program. PRE-DEPARTURE PHASE: ENGAGEMENT Between enrolment and departure, Rustic Pathways will provide students and/or their accompanying teachers with: An Educator s Guide to Learning Through Travel: Our comprehensive resource, full of learning activities and reflection ideas for teachers to run with their students; Fundraising Guide: Our guide to help students set and reach team fundraising targets; The Rustic Globe: A series of educational s that teach students about their destination; Country Book: A booklet that contains background information on their destination; Pre-Departure Meeting: Information night for students and families, 30 days prior to travel; REACH Workshop: An experiential workshop to prepare boys for the emotional challenges of international travel T-shirt and Luggage Tags. BGS is also providing pre- and post-travel workshops on social entrepreneurship with Peer Power. TRAVEL PHASE: SERVICE-LEARNING AND CULTURAL IMMERSION The travel phase immerses students into the culture of the region so they understand life in that country from a local perspective. Students learn about various local, national and global issues, and give back to our partner communities through service projects. Rustic leaders facilitate focussed discussions and reflections around the desired outcomes to maximise student learning. Rustic Pathways provides a ratio of 1 leader for every 7 students, including multi-lingual local guides to ensure a rich immersion into the local culture. POST TRAVEL PHASE: RUSTIC LIFE Once students return from their travels, they are invited to join Rustic Life our complimentary posttravel education program. Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Rustic Life strives to produce inclusive and quality education for all and not only promote but empower students in lifelong learning. Students often return home with a desire to create change in their world. Rustic Life is one pathway to collaborate, get connected and support students to have a positive impact on lives and communities around the world.

4 Safety and Risk Management Rustic Pathways understands that risk is an inherent aspect in any student travel program. We travel to remote destinations, many of which have limited access to the definitive medical care and emergency systems that are commonly found in the developed world. However, risk is an essential component of personal growth. Taking risks such as trying new foods, summiting a demanding peak, journeying through undeveloped areas, and challenging existing world-views, are all part of the learning process while traveling. We believe that the positive transformations our students undergo are a direct result of carefully managed risk. OUR APPROACH TO RISK MANAGEMENT Risk management begins with a process of identifying potential risks, then evaluating their potential outcomes and likelihoods. We use this information to formulate a management plan to mitigate risk through prevention and to outline appropriate response measures. Risk Management at Rustic Pathways occurs on four levels: company-wide, country operation, program specific and medical screening. 1. At the global level, our Safety and Risk Management Director works year-round to establish global policies, support local country teams, and train all levels of staff on emergency response activities. 2. Country Directors maintain risk management plans for each program offered and location visited, perform safety assessments on service providers, and monitor local conditions through a mix of on-the-ground contact, DFAT, and other government agencies. 3. Our Program Leaders are trained on localised risks and focus attention on the safety and wellbeing of our students. These combined efforts are complemented by our partnership with HX Global, a leading provider of international medical consultation, emergency evacuations, and urgent travel services. 4. Each participant completes our medical and emergency information enrolment form. The information in each form is reviewed by our medical screening team well before the trip begins to ensure participation is safe and appropriate for each student.

5 Student Learning Outcomes We believe in a key set of characteristics and capacities that enable students to achieve personal growth and make a positive contribution to our world. The outcomes we aim to foster in students that travel with us are: 1. Openness to New Ideas and Experiences: Eagerness and curiosity to learn from the perspectives of others and the ability to incorporate one s own experiences into a lifelong quest for knowledge and growth. 2. Sense of Wonderment: The ability to be amazed and inspired by the world, from the small and seemingly mundane to the powerful and seemingly impossible to understand; recognising beauty in the unknown, while letting the world s mysteries stir thoughtful questions and give rise to new understandings; a sense of awe as a driver of one s passion and achievement. 3. A Belief that All People are Connected by a Shared Humanity: Recognising the innate value of any human being; embracing diversity, and believing that what unites us is stronger than what divides us; understanding the interconnectedness of one s actions and the notion that individual actions can have global impact; the ability to connect local stories, struggles, and successes to larger structural and systemic issues facing the world. 4. A Desire to Positively Impact the Lives of Others: A drive to use one s talents as a force for good locally and globally; recognising the power of a series of small actions towards a larger goal and contributing personal effort towards creating change. 5. Empathy: The ability to not just feel someone else s pain, but rather to walk in their shoes and see the world through their eyes; a more profound ability to adapt a new perspective and recognise multiple viewpoints. Empathy, rather than sympathy or pity, is a precursor to affecting lasting change. 6. Self-Awareness: The ability to define values, motivations, and passions, and to identify how those values are shaped; the ability to assess one s own strengths and weaknesses, analyse where and how to improve, and to reflect on and re-evaluate previous opinions or decisions; the desire to use an understanding of self to better relate to and communicate with others. 7. Humility: An ability to understand one s place and importance, to deeply respect others, to recognise others talents without comparison to one s own; to possess a grounded understanding of one s limitations; to provide service to others without question of their position in society. 8. Grit: An intrinsic determination to persevere through significant challenges and setbacks without complaint and the ability to defer instant gratification in order to reach an intended goal. 9. Independence: The ability to think and act for oneself; to take responsibility for and stand behind one s beliefs and actions; to explore the world confidently, and to find support when necessary. 10. Intercultural Competence: The desire and ability to behave and communicate effectively within and across cultures, to view issues from other perspectives, and to collaborate and engage in decision-making processes with diverse groups.

6 Our Approach to Community Service Through responsible travel and well-designed service initiatives, our students comprehend pressing social and environmental challenges at a global level, and contribute to efforts that combat these challenges at a local level. We take a comprehensive approach to community service, working with community partners from the design process through to monitoring and evaluation. Each year, we publish a report that presents our progress, accomplishments, and goals for the future. Identify and Design Projects with Local Partners We spend time with our local partners and community members on the ground to understand their needs and priorities. We then collaborate to develop projects that address key needs and build on community strengths. Provide Students Opportunities to Engage We collaborate with our partners to create well-defined roles for our students that harness their skills and ensure they make a meaningful contribution. Students are able to select programs based on personal interests and skill sets, maximising both their experience and the success of our service initiatives. Work Together to Achieve Goals Our students join the efforts of our local partners during their programs and work collaboratively to achieve project goals. Both students and communities utilise the unique skills they bring and learn from and about each other. Monitor and Evaluate We conduct regular evaluations with project partners and beneficiaries, evaluate both the process and impact of our ongoing initiatives and consistently use feedback to improve project design and implementation. Build Long-term Partnerships We establish partnerships with a long-term view, recognising that real change can take time. We provide ongoing support to partners and projects, take on initiatives in a range of areas and work to ensure a lasting impact.

7 Program Details DATES Students will depart Brisbane on Sunday 23rd September and return to Brisbane on Wednesday 3rd October. Please allow +/- 1 day in case of flight schedule changes. PRICE, INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS The cost per student is $3,795. Inclusions: Return economy airfares, as listed in itineraries, or similar Airline taxes, fuel surcharges, departure taxes Rustic Pathways leaders and multi-lingual guides (ratio between 1:5 and 1:7) Breakfast, lunch, dinner and some snacks each day on program All accommodation, as listed in itinerary Private transportation Service projects and materials All activities, and associated entry fees, as listed in the itinerary except any labelled as optional Single point of contact from Rustic Pathways before, during and after the program Rustic Pathways 24-hour emergency support throughout program Comprehensive travel insurance Medical and security evacuation assistance from International SOS Pre-departure presentations and training at Brisbane Grammar, hosted by Rustic Pathways Rustic Pathways holistic educational travel curriculum Exclusions: Passport costs Visa costs (approx AU$50 for Cambodia) Immunizations (if required) Personal expenses such as snacks, souvenirs, internet, phone calls Transfers to/from Brisbane Airport Optional/extra activities FUNDRAISING As part of the Yr 10 service program at BGS, students will be expected to participate in fundraising activities to raise money for their service projects in Cambodia. We have set the target at $2000 per team, however, projects can be expanded or retracted according to the total funds raised. Ms Douglas will provide further information regarding fundraising events and activities in 2018.

8 Proposed Itinerary Below is a summary of the proposed itinerary. All participants will fly to/from Cambodia together, travel in teams of students while in Cambodia, then fly home together. DATE Sunday 23rd September Monday 24th September ITINERARY Fly Brisbane to Cambodia via 9:10am. Meet Rustic Pathways leaders upon arrival in Phnom Penh Split into four teams Welcome dinner Orientation to Cambodia s culture and history Touring Phnom Penh S21 Genocide Museum and Killing Fields Boat cruise OVERNIGHT Hotel, Phnom Penh Hotel, Phnom Penh Team 1: Service BSDA Ricefields Kids Village Kampong Cham Team 2: Service BSDA Housebuilding Project # 1 Kampong Cham Team 3: Service BSDA Housebuilding Project # 2 Kampong Cham Team 3: Service Kong Maha Village Project Kong Maha Village Sunday 30th September Farewell to host villages Drive to Siem Reap Hotel, Siem Reap Monday 1st October Temples of Angkor Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm. Hotel, Siem Reap Tuesday 25th Saturday 29th September Tuesday 2nd October Wednesday 3rd October Land mine Museum, war Museum Final reflections ad Rustic Ties Departure Arrival into 10:35am In flight In your own bed J Day 1 - Sunday 23rd September Brisbane to Cambodia via Singapore This morning is an early start and your group will need to arrive at Brisbane International Airport no later than 6:30am. Once you re all checked-in, you will fly from Brisbane to Singapore, and then connect to Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Singapore Airlines is consistently rated one of the world s best airlines, so sit back, relax and enjoy the flight. Your adventure begins! Q Singapore Airlines flight SQ256 Depart Brisbane 9:10am Arrive Singapore 3:30pm Duration: 7hrs 20 mins Q Silk Air flight MI608 Depart Singapore 4:20pm Arrive Phnom Penh 5:15pm Duration: 1hr 55 mins Suesday - welcome to Cambodia! Your Rustic Pathways leaders and guides will be waiting for you at the airport in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. After a very warm welcome, your group will transfer by private van to a restaurant for a delicious buffet dinner. Your leaders will help you get familiar with your new surroundings before taking you to the hotel and settling in for the night.

9 Tonight will be a chance to rest after a long flight and prepare for a rewarding week ahead! Overnight: Hotel, Phnom Penh Day 2 Monday 24th September Orientation to Cambodia: Phnom Penh This morning we will have an official orientation before venturing out to explore some of the history of Cambodia. It will be quite a confronting morning as you ll receive an insight into the atrocities that occurred in recent history. Led by our local Cambodian staff, the first stop will be Tuol Sleng S21 Genocide museum; a former school used as a prison during the Khmer Rouge era, which has now been converted into a museum. We ll then continue to the infamous Killing Fields near Phnom Penh, one of the many sites used by the Khmer Rouge in the 1970 s. After a sobering morning, your group will reflect on their learning over lunch at some local markets. After lunch, we ll spend a couple of hours exploring the city of Phnom Penh. Our guides will take you on a city tour and point out the many landmarks throughout the city, including official government buildings, the Australian Embassy, and a visit to the Royal Palace. We ll finish our time in Phnom Penh with some delicious mango smoothies along the river and then head out for an afternoon boat tour. Overnight: Hotel, Phnom Penh Day 3 Tuesday 25th September Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham This morning we ll begin the two-hour journey through the countryside to Kampong Cham, approximately 140 kms Northeast of Phnom Penh. Today you ll have an orientation session today with our service partners to learn about the development work Rustic is doing over a 3-5 year period and how you will be contributing to the project. Overnight: Village-stay or Hotel, Kampong Cham province Days 4 to 7 Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th September Service Projects, Kampong Cham The next four days will be spent working on service projects in Kampong Cham. Most days will begin with breakfast at around 7:30 am, head to the project site for a full day s work. Enjoy some time with the local kids during breaks, then head back to rest before dinner and evening activities. The projects will depend on our community partners needs at the time and will focus on infrastructure and education. Projects for the BGS teams will most likely include: o Housebuilding o Repairing or improving classrooms at a village kindergarten o Building bathrooms or installing water access points

10 o Improving facilities and grounds at Ricefields Kids Village The project partner that Rustic Pathways uses for housebuilding in Cambodia is the BSDA. They are a local Cambodian NGO who focus on education, housing, health and development. Their mission is to empower and enhance the quality of life of vulnerable people, especially women, children and youth, through education, health and livelihood development initiatives, in partnership with others. After service, most dinners will be out at local restaurants. In the evenings, we spend time reviewing and reflecting upon our experiences before games and activities with our Cambodian staff. Overnight: Village-stay or Hotel, Kampong Cham province Day 8 Sunday 30th September Kampong Cham to Siem Reap This morning we ll head out to say one final farewell to our host villages, and it will probably be an emotional goodbye as you transition into the next phase of the trip. We ll then hop in the vans to start the journey to Siem Reap. This drive is a five-hour ride in the van and we ll pass through some spectacular countryside along the way. Upon arrival to Siem Reap, we will check into a hotel before heading into town for the afternoon and evening. Siem Reap will show you a different side to Cambodia it s much more touristy here, and with that comes great food, live music, and, not to mention, lots of night markets for souvenir shopping. Overnight: Hotel, Siem Reap Day 9 Monday 1st October The Temples of Angkor Today will be an early start and you ll rise well before the sun. We set out today in the blue-grey of the early morning to Angkor Wat - one of Cambodia s ancient wonders! Despite the early hour, the temple complex will be abuzz with people already waiting to see the sun rise above this amazing 5spired architectural marvel. We ll find a great spot and get the cameras ready for an incredible view of the ancient wonder. Following the sunrise, the crowds clear out and we enter the complex to explore the structure. Rustic staff will guide students as they explore the area and see the intricate carvings of Angkor's historical battle scenes. After breakfast this morning, we will continue to explore the various other temples in the area, including Ta Prohm, the temple in Lara Croft s movie Tomb Raider, and Bayon, which boasts huge, carved faces on its main temple. There may also be an opportunity to ride an elephant! You ll discover a lot about the Khmer Empire today, and in the early afternoon we ll return to the hotel for a rest before heading into town for dinner and to visit the night markets! Overnight: Hotel, Siem Reap

11 Day 10 Tuesday 2nd October Departure from Siem Reap Today you will have a final morning to explore Siem Reap and visit the land mine museum. There will be a final debrief over lunch with your Rustic leaders before its time to head to the airport, and, after an emotional farewell, start the journey back to Australia. Q Silk Air flight MI617 Depart Siem Reap at 6:55pm Arrive Singapore 10:10pm Duration: 2 hrs 15 mins Q Singapore Airlines flight SQ255 Depart Singapore 12:45am Arrive Brisbane 10:35am tomorrow Duration: 7 hrs 40 mins Overnight: In flight Day 11 Wednesday 3rd October Arrival into Brisbane After an overnight flight from Singapore last night, your flight will land back in Brisbane at 10:35am this morning. Welcome home! We hope you have had an amazing experience in Cambodia. An Important Note about Schedule Changes: Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.

12 Enrolment Details To enrol in this program, please review the following terms/conditions, then complete an online application at this link by Friday 1st December Please note the following details when completing the registration form: PASSPORT DETAILS are optional for now. If you haven t got a passport handy, that s fine, we can add this next year. MAIN CONTACT: Insert the primary address you would like to use for receiving communication from Rustic Pathways. Rustic will only send communication to the address of the main contact. A $200 non-refundable deposit is payable directly to Rustic Pathways upon enrolment. Payment details will be provided on the registration page. The balance will be split into 3 instalments, with final balance payable by 23rd July Once the groups are confirmed, Rustic Pathways will issue a Welcome to families with further details on the next steps. LATE ENROLMENTS Enrolments received after 1st December 2017 will be considered late enrolments and confirmation is subject to availability on flights. TERMS AND CONDITIONS ABOUT THE RUSTIC PATHWAYS ORGANISATION Rustic Pathways Travel Pty Ltd is the Australian division of the international Rustic Pathways organisation, and is based in the State of Victoria, Australia. Rustic Pathways Travel Pty Ltd operates in conjunction with, and at times contracts, other international Rustic Pathways companies to operate its programs, including Rustic Pathways (USA) Inc. and Rustic Pathways Cambodia. Collectively, these companies are here forth referred to as We and "Rustic Pathways. CANCELLATION POLICY Rustic Pathways reserves the right to cancel, alter, reschedule or amend any or all programs offered at any time. If a trip is cancelled by Rustic Pathways prior to the beginning of that trip, Rustic Pathways will refund all payments made by the Participant. If a trip is cancelled by Rustic Pathways once it has begun, a portion of the applicant's total payments will be refunded. Once your application and deposit has been received, cancellation by you results in a penalty. Cancellation by you more than 65 days prior to the participant s scheduled departure date results in a loss of the $200 non-refundable deposit. Cancellation by you between 64 days and 30 days prior to the participant s scheduled departure date: results in a loss of 40% of your total trip cost. Cancellation by you between 29 and 22 days prior to participant s scheduled departure date results in a loss of 70% of your total trip cost.

13 Cancellation by you less than 22 days prior to participant s scheduled departure date results in the loss of 100% of your total trip cost. LIABILITY WAIVERS, RELEASES, MEDICAL DISCLOSURES & RULES All participants will be required to sign and comply with various liability waivers and releases prior to the beginning of any Rustic Pathways trip. These forms will be sent in Term ABOUT PRICING, EXCHANGE RATES AND MINIMUM NUMBERS The program cost is based on a minimum of 14 participants travelling. The cost per participant is subject to change until payment is received in full. While we try to hold our prices whenever possible, we reserve the right to increase the cost per participant if less than 14 participants travel, or if we incur increases in the price of domestic airfares, fuel surcharges or taxes. Rustic Pathways operates most of its programs outside Australia and pays for most of these programs in local currencies. Should the value of the Australian dollar decrease and thereby increase our operating costs for the program you are attending, we reserve the right to increase our program price in proportion with the change in the value of the Australian dollar and invoice you for this increase in costs. We will only exercise this right in extreme cases. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL and FLIGHT INFORMATION Return economy flights are included in the program price. The program price does not include transport to get to/from Brisbane Airport. Rustic Pathways leaders and staff will meet the group upon arrival in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and say farewell in Siem Reap at the end of the program. Teachers from BGS will be travelling with the group throughout the journey from Brisbane. PASSPORT INFORMATION All participants travelling with Rustic Pathways require a valid passport, which means the expiration date must be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. A mandatory copy is due to Rustic Pathways no less than 65 days prior to departure. If you do not have a valid passport, we recommend applying for one as soon as possible. VISA INFORMATION Australian nationals /citizens travelling on an Australian passport will require a visa to enter Cambodia. Participants are responsible for arranging their own visas. EVisas can be obtained online within 3 months of departure. Further information on visas will be provided by Rustic Pathways closer to departure. TRAVEL INSURANCE Rustic Pathways has included QBE TourSafe travel insurance for all participants. A Product Disclosure Statement will be provided with insurance enrolment forms in Injuries can occur and travel insurance is mandatory for all participants. Please contact us if you would like any more information on travel insurance prior to enrolment.

14 VACCINATIONS AND INOCULATIONS Rustic Pathways does not provide specific advice on immunizations. We strongly suggest that participants travel plans are discussed with the family doctor who can review participants medical situation and suggest any special preparation that may be needed. No specific injections are required by Rustic Pathways. For additional travel information, we also find the following websites to be excellent resources: The Travel Doctor Australian Government Travel Advice - Centre of Disease Control (US) HEALTH INFORMATION CAMBODIA Rustic Pathways partners with International SOS for pre-trip medical advice and assistance during travel. Participants will be able to access their services once enrolled. Below is some general health information to be aware of when travelling to Cambodia. Standard of Health Care Public medical facilities in Cambodia do not meet all international standards. There are shortages of medical and nursing staff, medication and equipment, particularly in rural areas. Some private clinics are run by internationally trained doctors in Phnom Penh. These facilities can provide quality medical care where serious cases can be stabilized prior to out-of-country evacuation. Blood Supplies Blood supplies in Cambodia are unsafe. If blood is required, evacuation to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok may be necessary. Even in areas where the blood supply is considered safe, it's best to avoid blood transfusions if possible. Screening cannot detect every blood-borne disease, and immune reactions can vary from minor to life-threatening. If a blood transfusion is recommended and circumstances permit, seek a second opinion from International SOS or your health advisor. Medication Availability There are many pharmacies in Cambodian cities and towns. However, many of these pharmacies stock out-of-date and/or heat damaged drugs. Since brand names vary, know the generic (chemical) names of your medications. It is always advisable to bring an adequate supply of prescription and other medications from your home country. Check the expiration date on all medications. Malaria Spread By : Insect Bites Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes that usually bite from dusk to dawn. Symptoms can develop as early as six days or as late as several months after exposure. Early malaria symptoms are flu like, such as head/body aches and generally feeling tired and unwell. Untreated, it can cause complications including anaemia, seizures, mental confusion, kidney failure and coma. It can be fatal. Travelers' diarrhea Spread By : Food and/or water Travellers' diarrhoea usually occurs within the first week away from home. It affects between 20 and 50 percent of all international travelers, especially people visiting high-risk destinations such as developing nations in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Dengue fever Spread By : Insect Bites Dengue, or "break-bone" fever, is a viral disease of the tropics and sub-tropics. It is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito that bites during the daytime and is found in and around human

15 habitation. Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain. A rash often follows. The acute illness can last up to ten days, but complete recovery can take two to four weeks. Rabies Spread By : Animals Rabies is a viral disease contracted when bitten or scratched by an infected (rabid) animal, often a dog. Once it enters the body, the virus travels along nerves and causes paralysis. As it reaches important organs like the spinal cord and the brain, it causes coma and death. Typhoid fever Spread By : Food and/or water Typhoid fever is a serious infection caused by a type of salmonella bacteria spread by contaminated food or water. Choosing safe food and water will greatly reduce the risk of developing the disease. Hepatitis A Spread By : Food and/or water Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver. It is transmitted person-to-person and by contaminated food and water, especially in areas with poor sanitation and overcrowding. Japanese encephalitis Spread By : Insect Bites Japanese encephalitis occurs in rural agricultural areas throughout Asia and is transmitted by the Culex mosquito. These mosquitoes breed where there is abundant water, such as in rice paddies, and feed primarily on birds and local domestic animals, usually pigs. The mosquitoes are night feeders, so there is less chance of Japanese encephalitis transmission during the day. PRE-DEPARTURE PREPARATION There will be a series of meetings at the BGS to prepare participants for departure. Ms Douglas and BGS staff will provide a meeting schedule and agenda in Term Our comprehensive pre-departure guide will be provided at the school meetings approximately two months prior to departure. This document will contain important information that participants will need for the trip including packing lists, code of conduct, regulations, and additional information about the program. In Closing We are thrilled that you are considering joining us on this program. Please feel free to contact us directly at rustic@rusticpathways.com.au or if you would like any further information. Rustic Pathways programs are life-shaping experiences for young adults, and we hope this is the start of a wonderful journey for you. Best wishes, Sam Murray Director - Australia