The process of completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award shaped me to be a more well-rounded person in general.
A recurring internet joke online is that nowadays, many teenagers need to learn to go out and ‘touch grass’, the implication being that we spend too much time indoors instead of interacting with the real world - whether it be gaming, studying, or simply scrolling our phones. The Duke of Edinburgh programme allowed me to do exactly that.
Through volunteering, sports, and music, I spent more time engaging with the real world. During the forest expeditions I was quite literally touching grass. With the absence of mobile signals I’ve had richer interactions with my group members as no one could use their phones anymore, and doing real-world problem-solving/collaborating with my teammates have resulted in us building strong camaraderie through shared experiences.
I cannot thank the Greenfield Forest School enough for this opportunity, and if given the chance, I would gladly do it all again.
Qixuan & Peers: Captured during their DofE Silver Award expedition, these students have since transitioned from navigating the wilderness to navigating global success. With alumni now studying in Auckland, Dunedin, Melbourne, and London, the decision-making skills and grit developed during this journey continue to drive their academic and professional pursuits.
完成爱丁堡公爵奖的过程,让我塑造成了一个更加全面的人。
网络上一直流行着一个梗,说现在的青少年需要多出去“接触草地”(touch grass),暗指我们把太多的时间花在室内,无论是玩游戏、学习还是刷手机,而缺乏与现实世界的互动。爱丁堡公爵奖项目恰恰让我做到了这一点。
通过志愿者服务、体育运动和音乐,我投入了更多时间与真实世界接触。在森林远征期间,我是名副其实地在“接触草地”。由于没有手机信号,我与团队成员之间有了更深层的交流,因为大家都无法再使用手机。在现实世界中解决问题以及与队友的协作,让我们通过共同的经历建立了深厚的战友情谊。
我非常感谢绿野森林学校提供这次机会,如果可以的话,我非常愿意再从头参与一次。
图注
Qixuan 与友伴:这张照片记录了他们在爱丁堡公爵银奖探险远征中的瞬间。如今,这些学生已完成了从挑战荒野到迈向全球成功的跨越。随着校友们步入奥克兰、但尼丁、墨尔本和伦敦的高等学府,在那段旅程中磨砺出的决策力与韧性,正持续驱动着他们的学业与梦想。






