For the first time in six years, Branksome Hall is buzzing with stories from the red dust of the Eastern Cape and the coastal winds of Cape Town. This March, a group of Grades 10 and 11 students completed a transformative 14-day Global Engagement trip to South Africa.

The trip, a cornerstone of Branksome’s commitment to global citizenship, had been on hold since 2020. For the students, the journey was not just a travel opportunity, but a long-awaited reconnection with a sister community half a world away.

The heart of the itinerary was centred in Komani (formerly Queenstown), where students visited the Get Ahead Project (GAP) School. The partnership between the two schools spans more than two decades, but the absence of Branksome students over the last seven years made this year’s arrival particularly emotional.

During their stay in Komani, Branksome students stepped into leadership roles, running a dedicated morning program for GAP students in Grades 1 through 3. The focus was on future-ready skills such as literacy and coding, and although the work was tough, it was incredibly rewarding.

“I had one student who was having a hard time recognizing the names of English letters. I was struggling to get through to him, until I began to act out words instead of sounding them out,” shared Sidney, Grade 11. The following day, Sidney found out that the student had given an English oral presentation in front of the class— the very first one he had ever given. “Hearing this truly pulled this whole experience together for me and reminded me why I decided to go on this trip in the first place.”

Beyond the classroom, the trip focused on the Sister Program, which is a unique initiative that pairs Branksome students with South African peers of the same age. Afternoons were spent in deep conversation, sharing cultural traditions and building friendships that the students described as the "consistent highlight" of the experience. For many, the realization that they shared similar dreams and challenges—despite living on different continents—was the trip's most profound takeaway.

“Even though saying goodbye to our sisters was bittersweet, the friendships we made here feel like they will last far beyond this trip,” said Chloe, Grade 11. “We’ve even made a group chat so we can all stay in touch!”

The second leg of the journey took the Branksome group to Cape Town, where the focus shifted to South Africa’s history and vibrant culture. The students explored the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela and the country’s journey toward democracy, deepening their understanding of the apartheid era. They also experienced the natural beauty of the Cape, from Table Mountain to the rugged coastline, while reflecting on their roles as global changemakers.

As the students returned to Toronto, they brought home more than just photos—they brought back the knowledge that they made a difference in the lives of everyone they interacted with on their trip, and that they were impacted in the same incredible way.

“This trip was full of the kind of laughs and memories I know we’ll all think back on whenever we remember South Africa,” said Chloe. “More than anything, it made me realize how close we’ve all become on this trip. All these memories that will always connect us make me so grateful.”

A special thank you to Terence Carty and Deann Rousseau for chaperoning this trip. To learn more about the global opportunities at Branksome Hall, please click here.