Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is no ordinary feat, but this unique challenge is becoming something of a tradition at Collège Champittet! Following the positive experiences of previous expeditions in 2018, 2020, and 2023, the school once again participated in this life-changing Global Campus adventure in 2025. The institution is immensely proud of its 11 student mountaineers, who displayed resilience, perseverance, and teamwork in a magnificent ascent to Africa’s highest peak. The journey to the top began long before the students set foot in Tanzania on 18 February 2025. To pass selection, participants had to demonstrate a high level of physical fitness, motivation, and academic performance. Aged 15 and up, they all followed an intensive training programme of trekking and other physical exercises before their departure.
The expedition was led by physical education teacher Samy Schonne, an avid mountaineer with experience leading students through the gruelling Alpine Haute Route and specializing in ice igloo construction during ski camps. Upon arrival in Tanzania, the team received further support at Nord Anglia Education’s Shamba Kipara Camp, with professional local guides and porters accompanying them on their 12-day journey. This included preparation, acclimatisation, overnight camping, and an unforgettable 36-kilometre climb over six days to Kilimanjaro’s 5,895-metre peak. Despite harsh winds and extreme conditions, the adventurers admirably rose to the challenge. Reflecting on her experience, student Sofia shared, 'Ascending Mount Kilimanjaro was one of the greatest challenges of my life. This adventure taught me that the unknown is not a barrier, but an opportunity.' After returning from the summit, the team dedicated a day to supporting a humanitarian project in Tanzania, leaving a positive impact and taking away memories of a lifetime, along with an unforgettable lesson in pushing past limits.
