By the final years of high school, something begins to change. For many students, curiosity gives way to routine. Learning becomes increasingly focused on completing assignments, preparing for exams, and earning grades. The sense of wonder that comes so naturally in childhood (remember that feeling?) can slowly be replaced by simply getting through the next semester. Recent research highlights some of the challenges students face in today's classrooms. According to...
Read MoreIn Malaysia, learning takes root in one of the world’s richest ecosystems
During their first term, students journey to Asia’s largest island, Borneo, where they’ll call Sabah, Malaysia, home. One of Southeast Asia’s most culturally diverse regions, Sabah is home to more than 40 Indigenous groups alongside Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities, making it an ideal place to explore how different identities, beliefs, and traditions shape everyday life.
Throughout the term, students engage with local communities, government institutions, religious leaders, historians, and conservation experts as they investigate the complex relationships between culture, identity, and place. From vibrant markets and cultural villages to rainforests and river communities, each experience offers a new perspective on what it means to live in one of the world’s most diverse societies.
While Sabah’s extraordinary biodiversity remains an important part of the experience, this term invites students to look beyond the landscape itself. By examining how people, cultures, and environments have shaped one another over generations, students gain a deeper understanding of pluralism and the many ways communities create a shared sense of belonging.
2026 Project
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How is pluralism experienced, negotiated, or challenged in everyday life in Sabah?