Project Challenge  

 What is Project Challenge?

Another great experience that is available once enrolled at the University of Wollongong is Project Challenge – a program run every year by the Centre for Student Development. It is designed for students who are open to challenge and adventure, and want a cultural experience with a difference.

The idea behind the initiative is to give students an opportunity to learn about themselves, others, the environment and indigenous cultures, while travelling to awesome locations for adventure, challenge and community services.

The foundation of Project Challenge is ‘learning by doing’ and throughout the trips, students are tested in areas of leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, initiative, decision-making and life skills.

In 2004, Project Challenge went to South America for a 5 week expedition where students trekked and climbed in Rio, Brazil, visited Iguazzu Falls near Paraguay, worked in a community school outside of Buenos Aires, cross-country skied in Southern Patagonia, and completed the Inca Trail in Peru.

In 2005 Project Challenge went to Central Australia for 29 days of life-changing experiences. The group travelled to Darwin, then Katherine, and spent a week teaching in the remote Aboriginal community school of Barunga.

The next stop was a five-day trek from Katherine Gorge to Edith Falls, followed by a four-day canoe trip down the Katherine River. The group also got to experience the amazing Kakadu National Park, and finished with a tour from Alice Springs to Uluru.

Project Challenge will head to Egypt and Jordan in 2006, for 34 days of adventure, including hiking, educational tours, cultural experiences, community projects and exploration of some of the world’s most unique, ancient sites.

Project Challenge is guaranteed to take you off the beaten track and give you the opportunity to experience things not normally done by the average tourist.

 More Information

For more information on the application process and Project Challenge in general, visit their website at: http://unicentre.uow.edu.au/csd/pc/

Last reviewed: 18 July, 2008