The Della Monsoon Trip to Lonavala was an experience I will never forget. As a new student, I was a little nervous at first, but from the 25 km trek to Rajmachi Fort to the fun talent night, I truly felt the BD spirit. The trek was challenging, especially with the rain and slippery paths, but it pushed me to be resilient and reminded me of the importance of teamwork—we encouraged each other every step of the way. The talent show gave me the chance to step out of my comfort zone, and I returned feeling more confident as a communicator. The sessions, especially TOK and CAS, helped me realize that learning goes beyond the classroom and made me reflect on my own balance between fun, growth, and academics. Most importantly, this trip gave me strong friendships and lasting memories with peers and teachers that I will carry with me throughout my IBDP journey.
Ananya SharmaOur last monsoon trip to Della was an unforgettable experience. We began the trip excited to embark on adventures, but also explored opportunities to learn and grow in ways we hadn’t considered. The trek to Rajmachi Fort was the highlight, as it not only pushed us physically but also challenged us to go beyond our limits. It taught us resilience, teamwork, and motivated us to support each other through the climb.
Another memorable experience was the talent show; despite being extremely tired from the trek, we were still able to enjoy ourselves as a cohort. The CAS and TOK sessions allowed us to reflect on the importance of the IB learner profile outside the classroom. We also had an academic session, which stimulated our literary skills and forced us to think more deeply.
Most of all, this trip forged an unbreakable bond between my peers and me and taught us lessons of balance, courage, and connection.
Niska MirpuriThe Della trip was one of the most memorable field trips I have ever been on. I arrived excited for the adventure activities like rappelling and ziplining, which definitely lived up to my expectations. However, the 25 km trek through the hills stood out the most. It was tiring, but doing it with my friends—some old and some new—certainly made it easier. I pushed myself physically on the trek and socially during the CAS/TOK Shark Tank pitch, where I had the opportunity to make new friends and brainstorm ideas with them. Learning about Julius Caesar from Navroz Sir showed me how classroom concepts can have significance outside the classroom and can be interpreted in countless ways. Throughout the trip, I found myself becoming a risk-taker and a communicative person, while also learning what it means to be balanced. This trip taught me resilience and teamwork, and it gave me friendships that I will carry forward into the rest of my IBDP journey.
Yuvan AryaFor the Monsoon Trip to Lonavala, I was looking forward to the trek to Rajmachi Fort the most, eagerly awaiting the 27 km challenge. Although it was definitely the highlight of my trip, the experience of the adventure activities at Della thrilled me beyond my expectations, and the rocket ejector allowed me to face my fear of heights. The joy of the experience was heightened because I had the privilege of sharing these memories with my friends. Stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself, I grew as a risk-taker, feeling resilient and brave.
The following CAS-TOK activity was exceptional as well, as it provided an opportunity to work with others, forge bonds, and exercise my skills as a communicator while also exchanging views. The talk with Mr. Navroz, merging TOK with literature, helped me understand more and prompted me to question and link ideas in new ways, debating all the while with members of my grade. Through the trek and team obstacles, I learned to be supportive and empathetic, celebrating strengths with my friends and others in my grade, with whom I grew closer. The balance of fun, intellect, and personal development gave the trip great significance. I have taken with me the friendships, memories, and lessons from Della.
Ananya Dalal
