Extension Trip E25

The Philippines

PROLONG YOUR AUTUMN STAY WITH A TRIP IN JANUARY 2026

Prolong your autumn stay at Vejle Idrætshøjskole with a unique trip to the Philippines.

We guarantee memories for a lifetime and an unforgettable journey where you get to experience the beauty of the Philippines. 

The Philippines

We start the journey in the capital Manila, after which we travel to the unique center Stairway Foundation in the northern part of the island of Mindoro.

During our stay at Stairway, we will meet the former street children who now live at the centre. We will help at the center, at their farm on the mountain, go on diving trips and explore the nearby villages and beautiful sandy beaches.

After our stay at Stairway Foundation we travel on to Secret Island and Island House. Here it stands for beautiful nature, diving, voluntary work and relaxation.

You get an unforgettable travel experience that combines the best of action, relaxation and culture, while your efforts make a difference in the local communities.

The advantage of traveling with your friends is that you can relax more during the great experiences. You must be safe and secure during the entire journey, without being limited in terms of experiences.

At the end of the trip, you have a unique opportunity to volunteer at Stairway’s farm on the mountain or travel back to Denmark.

A true adventure

The Philippines is a wonderful country in many ways. The nature is magnificent and the locals are very hospitable. I am looking forward to our visit to Stairway, which is a truly unique place. Together, we must help make a difference and do something good for others.

Cecilie Emmery, højskolelærer

Stairway Foundation

The Stairways center is located on a jungle-covered slope facing the sea a little west of Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro, south of Manila. Here, Stairway runs an orphanage for severely disadvantaged street children and a large course centre.

The center is visited by thousands of guests every year, who learn about children’s rights and respect for the life of the individual child. Stairway’s boys are typically at the center for a year, during which time they receive intense training. Not just in traditional school subjects, but also in singing, theatre, music, art and social skills.

When the boys come to Stairway, they usually have terrifying experiences with them. That is why Stairway uses personal therapy and creative forms of expression as the key to helping the individual child process the past, strengthen self-esteem and set goals for the future.

When their time at Stairway is over, Stairway staff help the boys find their way back to parents or other family members, if warranted. Otherwise, they are helped on to good institutions that can provide them with education and a good future.

We are collaborating with the people behind the Stairway Foundation, and they will visit the college and talk about the place. During the autumn stay, we dress each other for the journey, and we will travel as a group of 12-16 participants. Being able to travel together provides security and community.

We will first travel to the island of Mindoro south of Manila and stay at the Stairway center here. We will meet the children at the centre, become part of everyday life, help out, and then we will explore the island, the local villages, the beautiful beaches and dive below the surface of the sea.

Then we travel south to Island House and Secret Island. Secret Island is a charming and peaceful little island located in the Sulu Sea – far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, distracting technology and pressing schedules.

The perfect place with room for contemplation, reflection and the opportunity to get down to speed.

After 25 days, you can choose to travel home, spend a few extra days on Secret Island with your high school friends, or you can extend your stay at the Stairway Foundation.

We have made an agreement with Stairway, so if you extend your stay, you will have a unique opportunity to volunteer at their farm on the mountain.

A flight to the Philippines has a climate footprint of 6,597 kg CO2e per person. According to Atmosfair.de, it costs 304 euros per person if we are to take measures that can contribute to the planet’s well-being.

When you come to the school, you get the opportunity to make a voluntary climate contribution, which the college doubles.

We have written much more about how we as a college make a climate contribution in connection with the trips.

A paradise in the middle of nowhere

Secret Island is a charming and peaceful little island located in the Sulu Sea – far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, distracting technology and pressing schedules.

The perfect place with room for contemplation, reflection and the opportunity to get down to speed. Between Secret Island and the neighboring island, a small pass has formed, where there is often good wind from November to April.

That, combined with very low water levels, makes it an ideal place for kitesurfing at all levels. If the wind dies down, luckily there are many other activities you can do on the water. You can wakeboard after the boat, or take a kayak trip in the area.

The Philippines is known for its fantastic diving opportunities. With diving equipment on the island and a diving boat available, we can offer fundives and it can be arranged to take a diving certificate on Secret Island. It is possible to rent snorkeling equipment at Secret Island, so you can also go on an adventure yourself.

In addition to Secret Island, we will also visit Island House, which is located on Popototan (close to Coron). There are some fantastic opportunities for kayaking and SUP in the area, and it is close to many good diving spots.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Help make a difference
  • Unique diving experiences
  • Paradisiacal beaches and island life
  • Impressive natural phenomena
  • Cultural experiences
  • Strong community
  • Budget-friendly options
  • Friendly locals
  • Fantastic food
  • Unforgettable sunsets

And this does not mention all the friendships and personal experiences you will come home with. The Philippines is something very special.

PRICES

The trip is an opportunity to extend your stay at university from the autumn into the spring.

The trip is expected to last 25 days, and it is expected to be somewhere between January 5th and February 5th, depending on what can be done with partners, airlines, hotels and what is now or needs to be planned.

The price is expected to be around DKK 25,500. Reservations are made for changes in flight prices, changes in flight tickets, etc. If you sign up for the trip, there is a travel fee of DKK 3,000, which is not refunded in the event of cancellation.

In addition, you pay the weekly price for the weeks you have extended your stay at the college. That is 2 x 1,795 kroner.

The journey runs with 12-16 participants. You must also factor in the costs of travel insurance, vaccinations and visas. You pay for food and drink yourself on travel days.

Final prices and travel dates for the trip are expected to be announced in May 2025.