I had the opportunity to visit the Kilad Campsite and fully immerse myself in its surroundings. Experiencing rural immersion meant letting go of modern comforts and adapting to a new way of living—sleeping in dormitories, eating simple meals, and engaging in daily physical activities. Over the course of six days, we gained a deeper insight into rural life, learned about tribal cultures, and actively participated in everyday tasks, allowing us to experience the lifestyle of the locals firsthand.

LO 1 : Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

One of the greatest lessons I learned from this journey was how flexibleI can be in new situations. I was not sure if I would be able to adapt to the simple way of life, particularly without the amenities of city life. But Soon I understood that I could shift my attitude and concentrate on the experience instead of the inconveniences.While doing so, I also realized where I could improve. Physical stamina was the challenge, given that the journey entailed a lot of walking and daily physical exercises. Contrary to my normal habit, I needed to be more resourceful and patient, whether it involved coping with simple amenities or doing things that were new to me. This journey taught me that I need to develop resilience and positivity in approaching situations that challenge me beyond my comfort zone.

LO 2 :  Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills

The greatest challenge of this journey was adapting to living with limited means. Tasks that I typically take for granted—such as obtaining clean water or having diversified food choices—became daily challenges that took problem-solving and patience.Furthermore, taking part in the daily activities of the residents necessitated me to acquire new skills, including manual work, collaboration, and cultural flexibility. Whether it was acquiring cooking skills using the conventional techniques, working on farm activities, or gaining insight into the economic challenges of the people, each activity generated a greater appreciation for their lifestyle.From this experience, I gained a deeper appreciation for sustainability, self-sufficiency, and the need to be aware of our consumption patterns. It also reiterated the fact that adversity is a good learning experience that shapes individual development.

LO 4 : Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience.

Adapting to a rural lifestyle for six days required a great deal of perseverance and mental resilience. The living conditions were completely different from what I was used to—no comfortable beds, no access to technology, and long days filled with physical tasks. At first, adjusting to this new routine was difficult, but over time, I embraced the experience and learned to appreciate the simplicity of rural life.There were times when the physical labor was too much, and wearinessbegan to creep in. But being committed to the experience and persevering through difficulties taught me to acquire strong discipline and stamina. Rather than fighting against the pain, I was able to learn to adapt, accept, and engage in the journey, which made the experience all the more worthwhile.

LO 6 : Engagement with issues of global significance

This journey exposed me to the economic and global issues of rural people. Most of the tribal people we came across did not have access to proper education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Witnessing this with my own eyes made me ponder the broader global problem of rural development and social inequality.The experience also brought to the fore sustainability and environmental protection. The people in Kilad rely extensively on natural resources for their livelihood, but they lack much infrastructure to sustain life. This experience taught me the need to conserve natural resources, fund sustainable development programs, and campaign for improved rural policies.To see these issues firsthand, as opposed to learning about them, was a vivid reminder of the inequalities that exist on a global level between rural and urban communities. This journey made me consider how individual actions—like ethical consumption, buying from good businesses, or raising consciousness—can feed into overall solutions.

LO 7 : Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Being among a different community meant that my behavior had to be respectful and culturally appropriate. One of the most important ethical considerations on this trip was making sure that our presence did not interfere with their daily routines.Interacting with the people helped me see how crucial it was to listen and observe and not assume or impose my own beliefs. Rather thantreating this as a temporary “experience,” I made an effort to see their struggles, respect their customs, and engage with them in a mannerthat was beneficial to both parties.Further, I needed to be considerate of resource use—maintainingminimal wastage, keeping in mind the shared areas, and making sure that our team caused minimum environmental footprint. Ethical obligation in these circumstances extends beyond being courteous—it’sabout taking responsibility for making sure that our interactions are meaningful, thoughtful, and respectful to the environment and the people.

Conclusion

The CAS experience in Kilad was life-changing, enabling me to discovermy strengths, acknowledge areas of improvement, and acquire key life skills. Beyond that, it was an extremely humbling experience that led me to respect the struggles and resilience of rural communities.It intensified my sensitivity towards the world issues like poverty, sustainability, and unequal education and fortified the notion of ethical accountability in interacting with societies other than mine. It created a deep-rooted effect within me and led me to become more alert with my deeds, more responsive during difficult moments, and more determined to positively make a change within society.