Passion for Ethical Tourism
As a guide, Sandhi brings a responsible and mindful approach to tourism that benefits both visitors and the local community. Especially when it comes to service learning, he believes in empowering individuals through hands-on experiences and facilitating meaningful connections with diverse communities.
“Service-learning experiences contribute to personal and educational growth by providing students with hands-on opportunities to apply academic knowledge in real-world contexts. These experiences develop a sense of empathy, social responsibility, and a deeper understanding of community needs,” he adds.
Sandhi is also an expert in tailoring itineraries to suit the specific requirements and interests of different student groups and provide them with a more personalised experience. This can include customising activities, adjusting the academic content, and incorporating interactive elements to ensure that the tour aligns with the age, educational background, and preferences of each group.
Such meticulous attention-to-detail on the guide’s part often leads to transformative service-learning experiences, as seen in a recent incident when a group of students were profoundly affected after working alongside local seaweed farmers in Indonesia.
“The students worked with local seaweed farmers to understand their traditional methods and the challenges they faced when it came to sustainable seaweed farming. What deeply impacted the students was the community’s commitment to sustainable practices. Through collaborative efforts, they implemented eco-friendly farming techniques that not only improved seaweed yields but also contributed to environmental conservation.
“This story underscores how service-learning experiences in unique environments, can inspire students to embrace sustainable practices and advocate for positive change,” recalls Sandhi.
