The air was thin, the mountains endless and the anticipation palpable as a group of students from the International School of Zug and Luzern (ISZL) joined GHE for a transformative journey as they stepped into the remote Himalayan village of Hunder Dok this September. They came with a sense of purpose ready to live and connect with a community far removed from their own world. The expedition was about creating impact while forging human connections and discovering new perspectives in one of the most stunning landscapes on Earth.

Students trekking to the village

Here are five elements that made this expedition truly unforgettable and why student impact journeys like this are so meaningful.

Hands-On: Installing Solar & Stoves

The heart of the expedition lay in the installation of Improved Rocketstoves in the homes of the villages in Hunder Dok, a remote village in the Nubra valley of Ladakh, India. These improved stoves drastically reduce firewood and biomass use by up to 60% and eliminate harmful indoor smoke. For the students, the work was hands on and deeply rewarding. Each stove they installed meant healthier families, reduced carbon emissions and time saved for women who otherwise spent long hours collecting firewood. In those moments, the students weren’t just visitors, they were agents of tangible change and leaving behind something of lasting value.

Installing the rocketstoves in the village

Living Village Life

Engaging in the life of the villagers

• Gathering freshly harvested barley from the fields, experiencing firsthand the effort behind every grain and the idea of community. The students saw how the whole village came together to help each other in the process and work as a single cohesive unit.

Farming experience with the community

These activities provided an authentic glimpse into the daily life of the villagers living in remote villages of Ladakh. Through this experience, the students also learnt that sustainability and resilience are woven into every aspect of rural living.

Human Connections & Hospitality

Perhaps the most profound impact came not from the tools or activities, but from simple acts of kindness. As students stepped into the homes of the villagers, they were met with tea, biscuits and smiles. The hospitality and care of the villagers left a lasting impression, reminding everyone that human connection transcends culture, language and background.

There was a moment where all the students and villagers were sitting together and when the students asked the villagers if they had any questions for them, the only question was a caring one where the community wanted to inquire if the students were feeling okay and did not experience much hardship in reaching the village. This left a profound impact on the students who reflected upon the fact that it was not a question but a concern for the well-being of the students. Empathy was at its highest during each interaction.

Engaging in the life of the villagers

For many, this was the moment the expedition shifted from being an adventure and service learning project to a shared human experience of care, gratitude and respect.

Nights Under the Stars

At over 4,000 meters above sea level, the village of Hunder Dok offered two nights of the clearest skies. The students could experience the clear night sky and were in awe of the Milky Way and the shooting stars streaking across the sky. Using a spotting scope, the team was also able to see Nebulas, Andromeda Galaxy as well as Saturn with its rings. For many, it was the first time seeing the night sky in such pristine clarity. Those two nights offered a humbling reminder to everyone of our place in the vast universe. The night sessions sparked a reflection and curiosity that no classroom ceiling could ever offer.

Camping under the Milky Way

Culture Beyond Textbooks

The impact journey also introduced students to Ladakh’s rich spiritual and cultural traditions. Through the efforts of 4 students, the school raised additional funds that allowed the solar electrification of the monasteries in Hunder Village and Hunder Dok Village.

Setting up the solar panels for the monastery

The solar electrification of Hunder Dok allowed the students to be engaged in a meditative prayer session with the monks who were chanting prayers accompanies with the noise of drums and cymbals. Everyone felt a sensation of being transported spiritually and emotionally.

Celebrating the solar electrification and meditation with the monks

The last day involved travelling to the village of Likir to engage in a pottery session with the last known potter family of Ladakh. The students were given a background on the art and engaged in putting their own creativity to the test by making unique caricatures.

Engaging in pottery sessions with the experts

These cultural exchanges went beyond observation as they were moments of participation where students learnt by doing and listening. This involved developing a deep appreciation for the heritage of the Himalayas.

Why Impact Journeys Matter

The ISZL expedition with GHE was not only a journey of impact and discovery,  but also a deep insight into cultural heritage and life long lessons on what it means to be a good ancestor. Students didn’t just learn about sustainability, they contributed to it through their actions.

“ They didn’t just study culture but they experienced it alongside those who live it. They didn’t  just gaze at stars, they found new perspectives on their own place in the world”

Trekking in the village

Such expeditions nurture global citizens who are building their capacity as systems leaders with the qualities of empathy and awareness to make a difference. In today’s day and age, these are the qualities that will truly influence the societies and communities we are building in the fast paced world. As the students left Ladakh, they carried stories of impact and friendships forged in mountain villages with a renewed sense of responsibility towards the planet and its people.

Students and villagers celebrating the transition to clean energy

The overall impact of the expedition was clearly shared with all the students in terms of the carbon emissions from the flights, hotels and local logistics. This was then compared to the impact that the students created through installation of Solar Power and Improved Rocketstoves which massively showcased the fact that the impact was on the destination that the students visited, taking away more carbon from the environment in the overall process.