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How one expedition sparked a lifelong passion for travel, purpose, and leadership
Meet Sid Davies, once a 17-year-old student heading off on an Outlook expedition to the Indian Himalayas, now a proud Assistant Expedition Leader helping other young people have their own life changing experience.
We caught up with Sid to hear his full journey, how one trip changed everything, and why he believes expeditions help shape the leaders of tomorrow.
Q: Sid, tell us about your first expedition. How did it all begin?
Back in 2019, I was 17 and signed up for an Outlook Expeditions trip to the Indian Himalayas with my school. It felt like a no brainer at the time. The itinerary looked amazing, and I was up for an adventure with my mates. But two weeks before departure, it really hit me how big this was. It wasn’t just a school trip. This was a major life moment.
Q: What did you experience on that trip that stuck with you?
So many things. We spent three weeks in Ladakh, trekking for 11 days through the Himalayas, camping, exploring, and even building a greenhouse for a remote mountain village. It was the first time I had ever done something so physically and mentally demanding. But what really surprised me was how much responsibility we were given from day one. We had to organise transport, manage the budget, and make key decisions as a team. That trust made a huge impact on me.
Q: Was there a turning point during the expedition?
Absolutely. The Service Learning Project, building that greenhouse, was the most rewarding part for me. It wasn’t glamorous, but I genuinely felt like we had made a difference. I also realised how powerful it is to become a small part of a community and to fully embrace a new culture. That stuck with me.
Q: What did you do after the expedition?
It gave me the confidence to go and explore the world solo. I spent the next two and a half years travelling through Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and New Zealand. I summited the three highest volcanoes in Indonesia, trekked at high altitudes in Nepal, and visited remote communities in Sri Lanka and India.
I don’t think I would have done any of that without the spark Outlook lit in me.
Q: What inspired you to become an Expedition Leader yourself?
It was our Expedition Leader on that first trip. He was funny, inspiring, full of wisdom, and he genuinely cared about what we were going through. I remember asking him, “How do I do what you do?” and he gave me so much encouragement and advice. It stayed with me.
Years later, I knew I wanted to come full circle. Being a leader is not just about taking people to amazing places. It is about helping students grow. That is the real reward.
Q: What does being a leader mean to you now?
When I was 17, I thought it was the coolest job ever. I still do. But now, I see it differently. It is a way to help young people gain experiences they cannot get in a classroom. Travel taught me compassion, resilience, and curiosity. These are things I carry every day, and now I get to help others discover that for themselves.
Q: What would you say to a student about to go on their first expedition?
I would say, I get it. It is going to be overwhelming at times. There will be strange foods, unfamiliar smells, and moments where you feel out of your depth. But that is when the growth happens.
Take the opportunity and run with it. If you stumble, just know we all did too. You will come back stronger, more confident, and with memories that will shape the rest of your life.
Q: And finally, why Outlook?
Because this is where it all began for me. The company’s ethos reflects everything I now believe. These trips are about more than ticking off a destination. They are about building character, finding your path, and stepping into the world ready for anything.