Recently, our CEO Haena, joined our strategic partner LYIS (Leading Your International School) Podcast to discuss experiential education and outdoor learning with host Barry Cooper. 

Together, they unpacked some surprising principles and insights that may change how you view this transformative approach to learning.

• How did Haena's unique childhood spark her passion for the adventure into the unknown?

• What’s the best way to maximize the impact of experiential education on students' growth?

• Can complex topics really be addressed in a single experiential learning program?

• What are the “counterintuitive” principles of outdoor education?

#1

A Multilingual Childhood

That Embraced the Unknown

Though Korean by nationality, Haena spent much of her early years in various countries.

In 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines, displacing indigenous communities and forcing them to adapt to modern society. Haena’s parents moved there to support the locals. 

Haena’s upbringing was steeped in diversity, and she became fluent in three languages—Tagalog, English, and Korean. Later, her family moved to Nepal, where she added Nepali to her repertoire. 

After finishing her studies in the United States, Haena moved to China to start her career, further expanding her linguistic skills to include Mandarin.

When Barry asked how growing up in a multilingual environment shaped her, Haena shared that it taught her to embrace the unknown without embarrassment. For example, she never hesitated to say, “I don’t know how to say this.” This openness fueled her love for learning languages and ignited an insatiable curiosity about the world.

#2

Outdoor Education: 

Embracing Feeling Uncomfortable

When asked what learning through outdoor education entails, Haena replied, "We help to push students outside of their comfort zone, ......, and cement that being uncomfortable is okay.” 

Discomfort often arises from uncertainty about completing a challenge—whether it’s rock climbing or zip-lining. When students overcome these fears, they achieve growth, which is the ultimate goal of outdoor education.

The art of outdoor education lies in calibrating the difficulty of challenges. It’s about making them “uncomfortable” rather than “impossible.”

Haena shared two counterintuitive principles from outdoor education:

Encouragement Isn't Always Helpful

During rock climbing, students may freeze on the wall, overwhelmed by fear. While some might instinctively shout, “You can do it!” trained outdoor educators know that silence is often more effective. 

Students are already processing a flood of information—their physical fatigue, fear of heights, and surroundings. A calm environment allows them to regain composure, think clearly, and often resolve the situation on their own. 

Of course, if they truly feel they can’t go on, educators are there to help them descend safely.

Don't Jump to Help—Trust Their Potential

Haena recalled a hiking trip where she noticed a petite girl carrying an enormous 25kg backpack. For many, the instinct would be to offer assistance. However, outdoor education emphasizes assessing a student’s potential to complete a challenge before intervening. Often, what feels insurmountable is a mental block rather than a physical limitation.

Haena decided to let the girl push through on her own, and she succeeded, surprising even herself. The accomplishment became a powerful and unforgettable moment of growth for the student.

#3

Anything from a Place Can Be

A "Thread to Pull"

Barry asked Haena if it’s truly possible to integrate a region’s culture, history, and geography into a single trip.

Haena believes that while experiential education has its limits, it often exceeds expectations—especially when educators design programs with imagination and intent.

She gave the example of visiting the Great Wall in Beijing. Instead of merely observing the structure, educators can weave in stories about why Beijing was chosen as the capital, the relationship between the Han and Xiongnu peoples, and how nomadic cultures have influenced Beijing’s culinary traditions. 

Experiential education’s beauty lies in connecting threads of knowledge to real-life experiences, showing students that knowledge isn’t confined to neat categories in textbooks.

#4

How Does Experiential Education’s

Impact Manifest?

When discussing how experiential education can uncover the complexity of a place, Haena outlined two approaches:

1. Goal-Oriented Learning

If students are particularly curious about the Silk Road, especially the trade routes in Ningxia, educators can create a focused itinerary. This might include conversations with experts, visits to archaeological sites, and hands-on exploration.

2. Igniting Curiosity Through Inspiration

On the other hand, experiential learning can serve as a spark for inspiration. Students might discover a newfound interest or gain insights into the world that shape their understanding.

Haena emphasized the importance of progression in experiential education. For younger students, the experience might start with hotel stays. As they grow, they can progress to camping, and eventually, tackle ambitious challenges like the Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions.

Parental support is also key. Helping parents understand the long-term benefits of outdoor and experiential learning ensures a stronger foundation for designing impactful programs. “The classroom isn’t where students are meant to stay forever,” Haena noted. “The wider world has so much to teach.”