Transitioning between different stages of learning is a pivotal experience—an opportunity for growth, reflection, and self-discovery.
At Learnlife, this journey is made unique and meaningful through a powerful tradition of personal rites of passage. These are not simply symbolic acts; they’re deeply personal activities that learners design themselves to mark the transition between programmes and, eventually, to celebrate graduation.
These rites encourage students to step beyond their comfort zones, face inner challenges, and find new perspectives.
Recently, we spoke with Lorenzo, a learner who had just completed his transition from the Creators programme to Changemakers. His rite of passage was unlike anything he had anticipated, and it ultimately left a profound impact on his outlook on learning and productivity.
When Lorenzo set out to plan his rite of passage, he was in an unexpected struggle: he had too many ideas.
Known as an active, idea-driven learner, Lorenzo was bursting with ambitious plans but found it challenging to decide on just one. Noticing his dilemma, a learning guide challenged him with an unusual task—to do absolutely nothing.
For a highly independent and productive learner like Lorenzo, this was a daunting challenge.
Doing nothing meant no technology, no music, no reading, and no work. Initially, he was taken aback by this suggestion. But as he committed to the idea, he found that this forced stillness would become an invaluable experience.
During his week of intentional inactivity, Lorenzo initially struggled with feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and even uselessness.
"I started journaling. I was walking around the city. I was not even coming into the space anymore because it was just terrible seeing other people work,” he recalls.
Used to filling his time with productive activities, he felt the initial days of “doing nothing” were unbearable. Yet, as the days passed, something shifted.
By the third or fourth day, Lorenzo felt himself relax.
He began to notice things around him that he had overlooked before. The quiet space he created in his mind allowed him to see his routines, ideas, and goals from a new perspective.
“I got a different perspective on all the things I was doing. Stopping for a second and observing was super useful and good for me. At the end, I came up with so many new ideas. It was really inspiring because you give your mind space to start from zero again,” he shared.
This experience transformed how Lorenzo approached his daily life.
He returned to his work with a refreshed, more reflective mindset and learned the value of sometimes saying “no” to constant activity. His rite of passage had taught him not only to pause but to appreciate the mindfulness that comes with it—a lesson he could carry forward into his next chapter.
After completing his week of mindfulness, Lorenzo decided to embark on a physical challenge—one of his original ideas for his rite of passage.
He set off on a 130km bike ride, reconnecting with his love for activity and purpose. This journey became the perfect conclusion to his rite of passage, a symbolic way to merge his newfound mindfulness with his natural drive. A native German speaker, Lorenzo describes the bike ride as the “kirsch” on top of the cake, a fitting end to an experience that had helped him recalibrate his approach to life and learning.
At Learnlife, every learner’s rite of passage looks different because it’s meant to be a deeply personal experience.
These journeys are carefully designed by each individual to challenge themselves in unique ways, often revealing new strengths and insights. Learners have undertaken a range of rites, from planning solo travel adventures to creating reflective projects that explore their identities, goals, and ambitions.
These rites of passage are not simply exercises; they’re transformative experiences that empower learners to explore and redefine their own potential.
They push students to step outside the traditional educational model and take ownership of their personal growth. And as they overcome these challenges, learners gain the confidence, creativity, and resilience they’ll need to navigate the complexities of the modern world.
In essence, Learnlife’s approach to rites of passage is about preparing learners to approach their futures with a deeper sense of purpose and self-assurance.
As they transition through the programmes, each rite of passage helps them clarify who they are and what they hope to achieve. For Lorenzo, his journey into stillness and self-reflection provided a fresh perspective on productivity and a mindful approach to life.
These moments of transition are the cornerstone of Learnlife, creating lifelong memories and lasting transformations.
By designing their own rites of passage, learners take control of their personal development, cultivating skills, mindsets, and a sense of purpose that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
We're proud to witness each learner’s unique journey as they discover their strengths, overcome their limitations, and confidently step--or cycle--into the next stage of their lives.