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SINGAPORE - Listening to opera in Austria. Learning how to cook Parisian cuisine in France. Admiring Gothic architecture in Prague.
Exploits of the well-heeled? No.
We're talking about the experiences of Singaporean primary school pupils on overseas excursions.
Tour agencies The New Paper on Sunday spoke to say that in the past, only secondary school and tertiary students made these overseas learning trips. Today, primary school pupils as young as six are globetrotting.
They attend choir and band competitions, youth festivals and even help orphans in remote villages.
Responding to queries from TNPS, the Ministry of Education (MOE) confirms that each year, more than 25,000 primary school pupils go on overseas learning journeys or overseas community involvement programmes.
And if you think that primary school pupils are too young to be doing such travelling, then consider how Kinderland is sending a cohort of kindergarten children to Japan on a seven-day "autumn exchange programme" this month.
While other kindergartens generally say that this is unusual, the trend of more exotic (and expensive) school trips by younger children has got some parents worried.
One parent, who wants to be known only as Madam Teo, 36, said: "Is this really necessary? Back in the day, we'd visit the zoo but these days it feels like people are trying to outdo each other."
"Next year I'll have all three of my kids in primary school."
Madam Teo is unemployed and her husband is a civil servant.
These excursions don't come cheap.
Trips to neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea and China can cost up to $3,000 before school subsidies, while trips to regions like Europe can cost up to $3,500.
MOE promises that help is available to everyone.
Says a spokesman: "MOE provides schools with funding to subsidise overseas learning journeys. "In addition, schools may tap on other sources of funding, such as the Opportunity Fund (OF), to support their students.
"The OF can be used to subsidise enrichment activities and programmes, including overseas learning trips, for students from low-income families so that they do not miss out on the opportunities to enhance their learning through such programmes."
Says Madam Ane Hariati, media executive, 40: "The trips are expensive but it's quite affordable after the subsidies."
Madam Hariati's 12-year-old son, Rei Hamzah, from Queenstown Primary School, visited Seoul, South Korea, last year. The trip cost more than $2,000 but after the subsidies, Madam Hariati paid about $1,000.
But even with the subsidies, a school trip for a child can be painful budget-wise, say some parents.
Says Madam Teo: "It can be quite a struggle, but how can you say no?
"The school gives you a choice. But the pressure comes from your child who says to you 'My friends will be going (overseas). I want to join them'."
Two years ago, Madam Teo allowed her then Primary 1 son to go to Tokyo, Japan, for a dance culture programme. The trip cost almost $2,000 after subsidies.
One teacher, who has been on numerous overseas learning trips, says children from less well-to-do families feel the pinch when it comes to shopping during these trips.
The teacher, who declines to be named, says: "I see it all the time during cultural immersion programmes when there is some shopping time.
"The poorer kids move away to one side or hang around teachers. The rich kids buy up everything because they say it's cheap and you can't find the souvenirs in Singapore."
She has another issue with these trips besides the cost.
She questions if primary school pupils who help at foreign schools or orphanages are getting the wrong signals.
The teacher says: "Are we saying that Singapore doesn't have poor or disadvantaged people? Why can't we help Singaporeans first?"
Madam Teo, too, has further concerns about these excursions.
She declines to name her son's school but says that 29 other pupils, two teachers and six parents went along to Tokyo.
She admits the trip was a success but says that had she not tagged along, her son "would have suffered".
"Each Primary 1 pupil shared a room with a Primary 6 pupil. They were supposed to be cared for by the senior pupils.
"But how can they take care of the Primary 1s if they can't take care of themselves?" she asks.
Madam Teo claims she had personally attended to a Primary 1 student who had developed severe rashes from wearing his long johns for three days.
Some didn't even change their clothes for that same period.
A few of the older boys were always trying to "parcel off" the Primary 1s to the adults. She says: "You can't really blame them for being kids and wanting to play with children their age."
But these trips do seem to bring benefits.
Says Madam Hariati of her son Rei: "I was surprised that he now appears to be thinking more for others.
"After the trip, he also displayed more confidence in doing things independently."
And that's what Primary 5 student Ryan Koh learnt first-hand during his two-week overseas excursion to Beijing, China.
The Catholic High School (primary) pupil, who returned from his trip in early November, says: "There's nobody to pack or clean up after you when you're overseas. You have to deal with things yourself.
"You learn not to take things for granted."
Kids' business is big business
Travel agencies say the demand for school excursions has risen over the years.
Several firms have even started departments to cater to the trend.
Madam Eileen Yee of STA Travel tells The New Paper on Sunday: "In 1999, we started a separate department just to deal with students' overseas travel needs."
Other indications that business appears to be thriving is the pool of about 50 travel agents approved by the Ministry of Education (MOE), TNPS understands.
The travel agents are required to abide by MOE regulations, which include risk assessment, safety and insurance guidelines.
Says Madam Yee: "Our consultants work closely with teachers or heads of departments when we recommend overseas learning packages.
"They will agree only if we meet the school's learning objectives, safety standards and overall travel experience."
Tour agencies which TNPS spoke to say the most popular destinations are Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Taiwan.
