Connexpedition 2019: Apply Today!

Connexpedition 2019: Apply Today!

We are beyond excited to release application and program information for Connexpedition 2019. As you may know, Connexpedition was initiated by Wisdom Culture and Education Organization in 2011. In just seven years, our program that started with two small volunteer teams of ten has now grown to eleven volunteer teams comprised of 120 volunteers! This year will be the largest year of Connexpedition and we hope you can join us on this incredible journey.

Next summer, we will offer service opportunities in five different locations: New Taipei City, Fengzhu, Vox Nativa, Lanyu (New), and Sri Lanka (New). You can learn more about each of these program by clicking their images.

New Taipei City

Fengzhu

Vox Nativa

Lanyu

Sri Lanka

Applications for all Connexpedition 2019 programs are open now through January 26, 2019. Click here to get started. Please read all application information carefully before submitting any documents. If you have any questions, contact us via email.

Please share this information with any friends or family who would be interested. If you have any questions, feel free to email or call us. We look forward to seeing your application!

The History of Our Program

The History of Our Program

Before 2019 program details are released and applications go live, we’d like to take a moment to share the history of our program. Next year’s Connexpedition participants will be our eighth and largest class of volunteers.

2011 - 2012: NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Connexpedition began in the fall of 2011. The goal was to provide Bay Area high school students more international service opportunities hosted by a local community organization. While there are many other volunteer programs like Connexpedition, very few of them allow high school students to participate at the roles we present: teachers in a classroom. Our trips are successful because of the amount of training our volunteers undergo and their personal willingness to serve our world.

The 2012 program consisted of one trip in August with two service teams. Team A spent time with the children of Taoyuan SOS Children's Orphanage while Team B embarked on a trip to central Taiwan to teach English at Vox Nativa Music School.

2012 - 2013: WORKING TOGETHER

The summer of 2013 was a very special year for our Vox Nativa volunteers. In early July, a group of thirty children from Vox Nativa Music School traveled to the Bay Area as a part of their inaugural US concert series. As some of our volunteers served as host families for the children, the Vox Nativa community welcomed us to Taiwan with a delicious aboriginal feast paired with a night of celebration, dance, and song. A total of fifteen volunteers taught for two weeks at the school using the unique lesson plans and projects they developed during their training.

2013 - 2014: CONSISTENCY

Once again, Vox Nativa invited WCEO's volunteers to return for another summer. Building upon the curricula created for the past two years, our volunteers ensured the students at Vox Nativa had another fun and English-filled summer. Similar to previous years, the school's administration planned a weekend trip around Luona Village, allowing our volunteers to experience first-hand the Bunun tribe’s lifestyle. From farms in the valley to vistas in the mountains, the scenery was incredible and unlike anything familiar to the participants.

2015 - 2018: BIGGER AND BETTER

Following three successful years of international service trips, Wisdom Culture and Education Organization received a special request from the New Taipei City Department of Education. During the summer of 2015, in addition to hosting the Vox Nativa program, WCEO would send six other volunteer teams to various middle schools in New Taipei City (NTPC).

The volunteers in the NTPC program, also known as the Easy Leap English Program, host a summer English enrichment camp for underperforming students and continue mentorship and tutoring throughout the following school year using an online platform.

Each summer our volunteers teach over four-hundred elementary and middle school students from thirty different schools in New Taipei City. With 65 US members aided by 35 high school volunteers from Taiwan, the NTPC program is our largest yet.

Reunion Recap

Reunion Recap

Hey Connexpedition members and families: Thanks for attending the reunion and an even bigger thank you to the families and guests in attendance. This is the first time we’ve tried this reunion format with the potluck, raffle, games, and photobooth, so we appreciate any feedback you have to make this event even better.

If you have any photos from the event you'd like to share with other members and families, you may upload them at this link: https://wceo.smugmug.com/upload/BtbJQd/Reunion. Photo booth photos and any uploaded photos may be viewed and downloaded here: https://wceo.smugmug.com/Connexpedition/2018/Reunion.

If you’re looking for the Connexpedition 2018 member video mashup, here’s a link.

As our director Meichih Tsai said today, the Connexpedition program is expanding even bigger and will be transforming a lot in the coming years. We cannot wait to release summer 2019 program details. If you’re thinking about joining our Connexpedition family, now’s the best time - sign up for our mailing list on our website to be the first to know about next summer’s trips. If you are already a part of our Connexpedition family, we welcome you back with open arms and cannot wait to see how your previous Connexpedition experience can make our service teams even stronger.

In the meantime, our Connexpedition 2018 New Taipei City members will be beginning their online classes soon with the students they taught in the summer. This continued mentorship strongly motivates these students as they are eager to see their “big brother and sisters” (大哥哥和姐姐) again.

Learn more about Connexpedition here and feel free to contact us with any questions.

Connexpedition 2018 - Video Mashup!

CONNEXPEDITION 2018 - VIDEO MASHUP!

Check out this video mashup of every service team’s video from this past summer. Each team creates a video at the end of their service trip. Sometimes they create slideshows, sometimes they film music videos with dances, and sometimes they record messages to thank everyone who made their trip possible. The students always enjoy the videos and seeing the “fun side” of their volunteer teachers. Here are all of them cut together into one fun video!

Connexpedition 2018 Member Reunion

CONNEXPEDITION 2018 MEMBER REUNION

2018 Connexpedition Members: We’re excited to announce the details for the upcoming 2018 Member Reunion. Each fall, we gather again to celebrate the successes of our summer service trip and reconnect with teammates one more time. This year’s reunion will be the 7th Annual Connexpedition reunion, and it certainly won’t be the last.

In addition to the presentation of 2018 President's Volunteer Service Award recipients, we invite you to relax and unwind as we enjoy an afternoon filled with summer memories, refreshments, games, and prizes. Create new memories with an on-site photobooth, compete against each other in team activities, and take home gift cards and prizes from the raffle drawing. Reunion location and details have been emailed to you and your parents.

Please contact us at connexpedition@wceo.org if need the reunion details or if you have any questions. See you soon!

Get Notified When 2019 Applications Go Live

Get Notified When 2019 Applications Go Live

Want to be the first to know when summer 2019 applications are released? Head over to connexpedition.com/apply to join our mailing list. We will send you an email as soon as application details are published online.