In mid-July 2025, I did the 8-day Mind, Body, Soul course at Outward Bound. I remember freaking out as soon as I got to the meeting point — everyone looked like they already knew someone, and I instantly panicked. But one cool thing they do before the course even starts is ask who you know during the enrollment process. That way, they can put you in a group (called a watch) where you don’t know anyone. Sounds scary, but honestly? It’s smart. The instructors totally get that there's anxiety at the beginning, and they’re amazing at helping everyone settle in and start connecting with their watch (your group of 14).
You live and do everything with your watch. It’s wild how close you can become to a group of strangers in just a few days. Every morning starts with physical training — and yep, that means a 3km run. The goal is to push you out of your comfort zone. But the instructors are always supportive and adapt workouts when needed.

On my course, we hiked 21km of the Queen Charlotte Track, then spent two and a half days rowing around the Marlborough Sounds. That’s when our watch really clicked — especially after our skipper tried to capsize the boat. We learned so much about each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We spent more time laughing and joking than rowing... and somehow still made it back.

I’m grateful to Ms Hibberd and my Dean, Ms Brownlie, for putting me forward for this opportunity. I learned that I can do hard things. I made new friends. I discovered the importance of gratitude and appreciating the little comforts we take for granted. Before Outward Bound, I never would have jumped off a jetty or into jellyfish-filled water — that would’ve been an instant “nope”. But I did it. And I’m proud of that.

At the very start of the course, I wanted to go home. No joke — within the first hour, our instructors Noe and Abby had us lying in freezing cold ocean water, rubbing mud all over our faces. We were surrounded by crabs. It was cold, uncomfortable, and kind of ridiculous… but there was a point to it. It was our initiation, and the lesson behind it was about FOPO — Fear of Other People’s Opinions. None of us actually cared that we looked like swamp creatures, but we were all secretly wondering what everyone else thought. That was the first moment we all learned: no one’s judging you, everyone’s in the same boat (or mud), and staying clean isn’t part of the deal.

One day while sailing, there was no wind and we’d been rowing for hours. Out of nowhere, someone started singing, “Row, row, row the boat, gently round the sounds... merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, searching for the wind.” By the second round, we were all singing along, laughing, and doing whatever we could to pass the time. That same day, the boat may or may not have almost flipped. It was chaos. It was hilarious. And somehow, it turned into one of the best memories of the whole trip. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed that hard while being that soaked, tired, and freezing. These are the kind of moments that stick with you.

You’d think a teenager who spends 40+ hours a week on their phone would miss it. But the instructors keep you so busy, you don’t even have time to miss your phone. You just... live in the moment. And it’s kinda amazing.

The best advice I can give is: Expect early mornings, to get muddy, no phone, a lot of laughing, a few tears, real challenges, and some of the best memories you’ll make in college.

Caitlin Hodson 

Article added: Friday 08 August 2025