This DP orientation trip has brought me lots of laughs and memorable moments with my peers. I got to spend more time with all of them and learn more about them through various activities in Kitulgala. I think the activities that we did helped a lot in building trust within each other and taught us a lot of important skills that will be significant for all of us in the future. Some of my major highlights during this trip were the rafting, the river baths and the second day where we did the ten meter jump of a waterfall. This year’s rafting was really thrilling because of the force of the current, there were a lot of bumps, a lot of splashing, tons of up and down pathways and laughter. The river baths were a great way to cool off after a long day of hiking and also great to build bonds with other peers. Finally, the ten meter jump was scary at first but then once I reached the water, I felt refreshed and a sense of relief. I had a huge fear of heights but with the help of encouragement and reassuring comments, the fright wore off and it only took one leap of faith. Within these few days, I also noticed an increase in my motivation because of the enthusiasm and inspiration from my peers. I felt more confident as the days passed when participating in various activities. Lastly, one aspect that I found quite fascinating was the connection between the subject “TOK” (theory of knowledge) and our borderlands trip. For instance, the visit to Belilena cave with its ancient artifacts dated back thousands of years provided insights into life in ancient Sri Lanka and provided a reminder of the extent of Sri Lanka’s vast and lengthy history. Overall, I think this trip was fantastic in giving us more awareness about our environment as well as being unforgettable because of the fun memories spent with my peers.

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