Week Without Walls school trips are powerful extensions of the IB curriculum, offering meaningful experiences that go far beyond the traditional classroom setting.
Whether through community service, Model United Nations-style simulations, or environmental restoration projects, these immersive programs are designed to help high school students develop skills in leadership, reflection, and global awareness.
Rustic Pathways’ approach supports both lifelong learning and immediate academic outcomes. Our trips align with CAS requirements, Middle Years Programme goals, and broader educational frameworks that prioritize project management, teamwork, and ethical decision-making.
We work closely with international schools, IB coordinators and trip providers to ensure that every experience builds leadership skills while reinforcing curricular themes. This provides students a safe way to step outside their comfort zones and into the real world.
Ready to connect your IB curriculum to real-world learning?
Request a CAS-aligned sample itinerary or download our IB Planning Guide to get started.
New to the Week Without Walls concept? Start with the basics: What is a Week Without Walls? →
Many IB-aligned projects also align with global goals. See how Rustic integrates SDGs into CAS →
How Week Without Walls Aligns With the IB Learner Profile
Rustic Pathways programs are intentionally designed to help students embody all ten IB Learner Profile attributes through real-world experiences, reflection, and immersive learning.
| IB Attribute | Program Alignment |
|---|---|
| Inquirers | Problem-solving in real communities |
| Knowledgeable | Learning local history, culture, and global systems |
| Thinkers | Reflection workshops and ethical challenges |
| Communicators | Language immersion and collaboration |
| Principled | Service tied to UN SDGs |
| Open-minded | Cultural exchange and diversity immersion |
| Caring | Volunteering with empathy and impact |
| Risk-takers | Adventure modules and new environments |
| Balanced | Blending service, learning, and recreation |
| Reflective | Journaling and goal-setting throughout the trip |
These experiences help students internalize the Learner Profile in authentic, measurable ways growing not just as learners, but as globally minded leaders prepared to take meaningful action.
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CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) Integration
Most Rustic Week Without Walls programs are fully compatible with CAS requirements.
Here’s how we map it:
| CAS Component | Rustic Example |
|---|---|
| Creativity | Designing murals, student-led initiatives |
| Activity | Hiking, kayaking, building infrastructure |
| Service | Volunteering with local NGOs, teaching English |
Every program includes time and structure for:
- Goal-setting (pre-trip)
- Action (during the trip)
- Reflection (on-site and post-trip)
Explore: All CAS-aligned student travel programs →
How Schools Use WWoW to Meet IB Curriculum Objectives
Common use cases across partner schools:
- CAS week or year-end projects
- MYP Year 4–5 learning through experience
- Project Zero-style design thinking modules
- Extended Essay inspiration through cultural immersion
- ATL skill development (social, communication, thinking)
Rustic supports schools with:
- Pre-trip curriculum mapping documents
- Guided reflection templates
- In-country staff trained in IB outcomes
We work directly with your CAS Coordinator to ensure academic fit.
Alignment With MYP Global Contexts
Rustic trips often tie directly to one or more of the six MYP Global Contexts, including:
- Identities and Relationships
- Globalization and Sustainability
- Personal and Cultural Expression
- Scientific and Technical Innovation
Each itinerary can be tailored to your classroom goals.
Supporting Academic Outcomes (Beyond IB)
Even if your school follows AP, British, or national curricula, Week Without Walls trips support:
- Experiential research projects
- Interdisciplinary skill development
- Language immersion and communication
- Independent learning and leadership training
Rustic can help align trips to:
- Cambridge Global Perspectives
- Advanced Placement Capstone Projects
- National service learning standards
Sample Curriculum-Aligned Program: Laos Service Expedition
Program Snapshot:
- Creativity: Students co-design sanitation murals
- Activity: Trail-building and eco-bridge construction
- Service: Working with rural NGOs to improve infrastructure
- Reflection: Nightly journaling + group processing tied to IB outcomes
How to Integrate Week Without Walls Into Your IB School Calendar
Week Without Walls works best when it’s woven naturally into your school’s academic rhythm and IB learning objectives. Many IB World Schools schedule Week Without Walls once per academic year, typically during a mid-semester window or immediately after exams to reinforce reflection and inquiry before students begin their next CAS or MYP phase.
For MYP students, it’s often positioned in Years 3–5 to support ATL skill development and community-based inquiry. In the Diploma Programme, it can anchor the first or second-year CAS experience, providing tangible evidence of Creativity, Activity, and Service.
Rustic Pathways supports schools in creating custom calendars, sample reflection frameworks, and post-trip integration plans to ensure learning outcomes translate directly into CAS portfolios and school reports.
Teacher and CAS Coordinator Resources
Educators play a central role in making Week Without Walls meaningful. Rustic Pathways provides IB-aligned educator resources that simplify planning, supervision, and assessment. Each school partnership includes:
- Pre-departure educator briefings that map activities to CAS learning outcomes
- Daily reflection prompts and student journal templates for formative feedback
- Post-trip rubrics to evaluate reflection, collaboration, and global engagement
- Optional training sessions for new CAS or MYP coordinators on experiential learning best practices
These ready-to-use materials save time and ensure consistency across grade levels, so faculty can focus on guiding students through meaningful service and personal growth.
Examples of CAS-Aligned Projects by Region
Rustic Pathways designs Week Without Walls programs around authentic community needs that align with Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) strands and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Below are examples of curriculum-connected projects by region:
Asia & the Pacific
- Fiji: Coral reef monitoring and youth leadership development (SDGs 13 & 14)
- Japan: Community gardening and intergenerational exchange programs focused on sustainable cities (SDGs 11 & 3)
- Mongolia: Ger insulation workshops and renewable energy education to combat winter air pollution (SDGs 7 & 11)
- South Korea: Cultural exchange and digital literacy workshops for rural youth to build lasting friendships (SDGs 4 & 10)
- Thailand: Meaningful connections through English conversation workshops and elephant habitat restoration (SDGs 4 & 15)
Latin America
- Costa Rica: Rural school infrastructure improvement and eco-tourism education (SDGs 4 & 11)
- Dominican Republic: Mangrove reforestation and waste management awareness campaigns (SDGs 13 & 12)
- Ecuador: Amazonian biodiversity mapping and indigenous community partnerships (SDGs 15 & 17)
- Peru: Water filtration systems and cultural heritage documentation (SDGs 6 & 16)
Africa
- Ghana: Women’s entrepreneurship training and community health outreach (SDGs 5 & 3)
- Morocco: Youth leadership and gender equity through art-based education (SDGs 5 & 10)
- South Africa: Early childhood education support and coastal habitat conservation (SDGs 4 & 14)
- Tanzania: Sustainable agriculture training and solar energy workshops (SDGs 2 & 7)
Each project blends service, cultural exchange, and structured reflection, enabling students to produce tangible evidence for their CAS portfolio or MYP personal project while deepening global awareness.
Explore Regional Week Without Walls Programs →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tailor programs to meet CAS deadlines and project formats?
Yes, programs can be tailored to meet CAS deadlines and project formats. Schools receive pre-, during-, and post-trip templates aligned with CAS reporting requirements to streamline student documentation and reflection.
What if we’re not an IB school?
Non-IB schools can still participate in Week Without Walls. Rustic works with AP, British, and other academic systems to create programs that deliver similar learning outcomes and align with school goals.
Do students get CAS hours or verification?
Yes, students receive CAS hours and digital verification letters. Rustic also provides documentation for faculty, ensuring each experience meets IB requirements for CAS tracking and reporting.
Do you provide curriculum guides?
Yes, schools receive trip-specific curriculum integration guides along with one-on-one support from the Academic Partnerships Team. These resources ensure each Week Without Walls experience aligns with academic goals.
How do Week Without Walls programs support student wellbeing?
Week Without Walls programs support student wellbeing by fostering resilience, empathy, and confidence through hands-on learning and reflection. Structured activities promote emotional, social, and academic growth in safe, supportive environments.
What’s the difference between Walls Trips and traditional excursions?
The main difference between Walls Trips and traditional excursions is educational depth. Walls Trips are IB-aligned experiences focused on service learning, CAS objectives, and reflection, while traditional excursions are typically shorter and less connected to academic outcomes.
Are Week Without Walls trips aligned with the Middle Years Programme (MYP)?
Yes, Week Without Walls trips align with the Middle Years Programme by integrating ATL skills, inquiry-based learning, and interdisciplinary reflection. Programs emphasize communication, global contexts, and service action within the IB framework.
How do programs push students outside their comfort zones in a safe way?
Programs push students beyond their comfort zones through guided service, cultural exchange, and problem-solving, all within a structured support system. Pre-trip prep, in-country guidance, and post-trip reflection ensure emotional and physical safety.
What role does global citizenship play in IB-aligned travel?
Global citizenship plays a central role in IB-aligned travel by encouraging students to engage with sustainability, local communities, and ethical reflection. Rustic programs embed these themes to support CAS, MYP, and TOK learning outcomes.
When is the best time to schedule Week Without Walls?
The best time to schedule Week Without Walls is between October and March. This window aligns with CAS reflection cycles and avoids exam periods. Schools should plan 6–12 months in advance for approvals, risk management, and curriculum alignment.
Can teachers or CAS coordinators lead Week Without Walls trips?
Yes, teachers and CAS coordinators can lead Week Without Walls trips. They receive pre-departure training, daily updates, and 24/7 in-country support from Rustic staff, ensuring safety and educational alignment with IB values.
How is impact measured for IB assessment and reflection?
Impact is measured through post-trip reports, student reflection templates, and rubrics aligned with CAS and MYP outcomes. These tools help IB coordinators track growth in service, global engagement, and ATL skills, and integrate results into CAS portfolios and school reports.
Next: How Week Without Walls programs align with UN Sustainable Development Goals →
Not sure what Week Without Walls is? Start with the basics →