Student Experiences on RSIS South Africa July 2025
In July 2025, students from Round Square schools around the world travelled to South Africa to join the Round Square International Service Project hosted by Tiger Kloof Educational Institution, partnering with Lesego Serolong (One Million Beehives campaign). Over two weeks, the international team worked alongside the local community to help complete a permanent building for the Oledile Early Learning Center, the only kindergarten serving a 20km radius in the rural village of Matlaneng. They also learned about beekeeping, explored the region’s history and culture, and built friendships that stretched across continents.
For many students, the experience offered something they couldn’t find in a classroom: a chance to see the world differently, to question what they knew, and to grow in ways they didn’t expect.
Katlego, from Tiger Kloof Educational Institution, described how meeting so many new people challenged her to think differently: “It actually made me realise that there’s a lot of things that I don’t know.” At first, she worried about what to say or how to connect, but honesty and openness changed that: “The minute you start to be who you are, you start to realise that people will actually talk to you and be with you because you are being who you are.”
Lucas, from Whanganui Collegiate School in New Zealand, spoke about connections that went far beyond the work on-site: “We came here knowing a few mates from school, but as we’re leaving now, we’re gonna leave with lifelong friendships… being connected from what, like 10 other countries from around the world, learning about their different cultures, you can bond real tight.” James, from RGS Surrey Hills in the UK, added: “Opportunities like this, to create relationships from even the craziest distances you could imagine, is so special.”
The construction work itself was physical and demanding. Esteban, from Ermitage International School in France, explained, “It is like a lot of labour… we’ve moved a lot of bricks and rocks, but it’s really great to see that we are contributing to helping the community.”
For William, from Whanganui Collegiate School: “It’s not about being a hero or coming in to save people. It’s about being part of the community and learning from them.” Gurnoop from Cate School in the USA echoed this, noting that the project was “about respect, about listening and understanding rather than just giving.” Kayli, from Inventure Academy in India, summed it up: “It’s about how we interact, learn from each other and build something together.”
Kennedy, from Christ’s College in New Zealand, spoke about facing the unknown: “I can kind of see why it’s scary… no phones for weeks, people you’ve never seen before from all different places around the world… but going out of that comfort zone and taking risks, it’s really worth it.”
Beyond the worksite, laughter and shared downtime helped friendships form naturally. Lucas remembered late nights packed into small rooms: “We had like 14 boys in our room all screaming at each other playing cards… it’s pretty memorable moments.”
Yet the shared purpose was never far from mind. Lucas reflected: “We all came from our different backgrounds… all brought here with the same intentions, just to help out others that maybe are less fortunate than us because we know how privileged we are, and we want to give back.”
The project wasn’t just about giving—it was about mutual learning. Emily, from RGS Surrey Hills, spoke about visiting Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum: “Learning about the history and background behind this country after helping people was really interesting.” The visit sparked deeper questions about how history shapes present realities, a curiosity many students carried home with them.
Even simple things, like working without phones, shifted their perspective. Ellie reflected that being offline made her “more focused on what was happening around me,” allowing her to fully experience each moment.
Many of these insights came quietly, through shared work and conversation rather than planned lessons. Katlego described it as a chance to “grow as a person and as an individual,” pushing past her own limits to see the world through new eyes.
By the end of the project, students had not only helped to build a kindergarten that will benefit local children for years to come, but had also built a network of friendships and a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a global community.
James summed it up simply: “We all came together from different places, and we all wanted the same thing—to help, to learn, to do something good.” That shared motivation, combined with a willingness to ask questions and try new things, made the RSIS South Africa Project an experience that will stay with participants long after they left Matlaneng.
Tips for Future Participants on the RSIS Project
Advice from students who’ve been there before you:
1. Be yourself.
It’s normal to feel unsure when meeting so many new people. Katlego admitted, “At first, I was scared to interact because I worried I might say something wrong. But once I just started being who I am, people talked to me and opened up.” Being genuine helps you connect more easily and build real friendships.
2. Step out of your comfort zone.
Kennedy reminded future participants that the unfamiliar can feel daunting: “No phones for weeks, people you’ve never seen before from all different places around the world… but going out of that comfort zone and taking risks, it’s really worth it.” Pushing past your fears makes the experience far more rewarding.
3. Stay curious and open-minded.
Katlego reflected that the project changed her perspective: “It actually made me realise that there’s a lot of things that I don’t know… your mindset is actually changing, and you’re becoming a better person.” Be ready to listen, learn, and challenge your own assumptions.
4. Be prepared to work hard.
Esteban described the experience as “a lot of bricks and rocks,” but he added that “it’s really great to see that we are contributing to helping the community.” The physical work can be demanding, but every effort counts toward something meaningful.
5. Value the friendships you make.
Lucas shared, “We came here knowing a few mates from school, but as we’re leaving now, we’re going to leave with lifelong friendships… being connected from like 10 other countries, you can bond real tight.” Take time to talk, laugh, and share stories—you’ll leave with connections that last well beyond the project.
6. Reflect on privilege and responsibility.
Lucas explained, “We know how privileged we are, and we want to give back to those that just aren’t as privileged.” Approach the project with humility, ready to learn from the community you’re supporting and from your peers.
7. Know your limits.
Karla advised finding balance: “Test your limits, but also know when to rest.” Working hard is important, but so is looking after yourself and others so that the whole team thrives.
8. Be okay with not having all the answers.
This experience might raise big questions about fairness, opportunity, and how to make a difference. As Jasper reflected, it’s okay to leave with more questions than you arrived with—the project is just the start of a bigger journey of understanding.