Eight young people recently returned to the Island having spent several weeks in exotic destinations.

Their aim wasn't to visit countries like Malaysia, India and Costa Rica for tourism, but to participate in community service efforts and adventure activities as part of Raleigh International.

The charity's executive director Kristin White said: "They all did amazing overall. We got nothing but great remarks from the expedition staff."

College-bound student Kiana Franks spent nine weeks in India.

She encouraged others to take part in the programme.

"It is a great opportunity to travel to places you would not normally travel to.

"You are not going on vacation or anything but you get to see a place in a different [way] and you get to socialise in the community more because you are living with them."

The 18-year-old said she met people that she "would have never met" otherwise.

"I also got a first-hand experience in seeing how poor countries live and I think it is more impacting because when you see it on TV you can always change the channel if you don't like it.

"It is a great experience overall and you meet a lot of open-minded people who are interesting."

Raleigh International is now recruiting for a new group of young people to participate in its character-building and adventure programme next year.

The organisation will be hosting information sessions on Tuesday and on November 3 and 8, at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce building from 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Ms White said she was proud of the last participants, who had to firstly get through training and selection in Bermuda.

"Here on-Island we challenge the young people physically, but also challenge them to confront different aspects of their behaviour or activities that may be holding them back from reaching their full potential.

"Then, once they are selected, they are off to expedition, which isn't easy — it's a tough experience physically, mentally, emotionally. It forces them to adapt, learn, and grow and all of them completed it successfully."

Ms White said the hard work was worth it in the end. She said she had observed shy and nervous participants "socially blossom into confident young people".

She also witnessed others who were not comfortable in leadership roles rise to the challenge and take on the reins of leadership.

"I have seen them all learn that they are capable of more than they ever thought possible and that they shouldn't doubt themselves," she said.