The SABIS Student Life Organization^® (SLO^®) is one of the distinguishing features of a SABIS^® education. As a student-led society, SLO^® empowers students to become involved in every aspect of life at school and recognizes students who have the desire and potential to take on leadership roles in their school.

The SLO^® at every SABIS^® Network school is run by a group of student prefects under the supervision of the Student Life Coordinator (SLC).  Prefects in up to eight different SLO^® departments, depending on the size and age of the school, work throughout the year to set and attain goals.  In the spring of each year, based on applications submitted by interested students and a set of selection criteria, each school in the network selects between 1 and 3 students to participate in the annual SABIS^® Student Life Training Camp (SLTC).  The camp brings together students for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of learning, personal development, and fun.

Previously held in the U.K., Egypt, and the U.S., the 2016 SLTC was held in Athens, Greece, from July 14-23, 2016. Ninety-seven (97) prefects and 30 SLCs from 33 SABIS^® Network schools traveled to Europe to participate in the camp, which was organized under the theme “Going Above and Beyond,” the same theme that is driving the SLO^® throughout the 2016-17 academic year.  

Students participated in different team-building activities during the first few days of the camp in addition to visiting historical monuments in Acropolis and Poros.  Students also learned about the importance of pursuing their dreams and making a difference in their communities through different workshops and presentations.

During the camp, all attendees were involved in community service projects designed not only to give back to the camp’s host city, but also to inspire the students. Students were divided into five teams of 12 to 14 prefects each.  Two teams visited a local orphanage where they spent the day cheering up the children with games and fun activities. The other teams distributed their efforts among a nursing home, a farm, and a cancer hospital. Wherever they went, the SLTC participants brought smiles to the faces of everyone they met. They sang and danced with the elderly, learned about the manufacturing of environmentally-friendly products, and gained insight into the types of challenges cancer patients face on a daily basis.

The last day of the camp was filled with emotions as the students said their goodbyes. They expressed both gratitude and excitement to return to their communities and schools and pass on what they had learned during their time in Athens.

“It was literally the best experience of my life. It has been the spark that has fired me up and pushed me to become a true leader and a major symbol of change and improvement,” said a participant.

If you would like to read more about the Student Life Training Camp and see more photos taken during the camp, visit sltc.sabis.net.