Year 9 East Timor Trip
Eleven students in Year 9 returned from East Timor last Wednesday. They had an eye-opening and meaningful educational journey to one of Australia’s closest but poorest neighbours. Their supervising teachers Mr Bell and Ms Korotkov ensured that the group had the trip of a lifetime. Here are a few reflections written soon after returning home:
The trip to East Timor was such a massive, new and exciting step in my life and it really helped me to think and connect with the world and people around me. It made me consider how lucky I am to have an education and even just to have a clean bathroom. Not only that but it also made me fall in love with East Timor’s culture and Gildapil’s charm and beauty. Teaching the kids was a highlight of my trip and it was amazing to not only teach them about the English language and life back in Sydney, but also to learn from them about Tetum (their native language) and also how valuable education is to them and to hear about their hopes and dreams for the future. Coming home after the trip I felt both refreshed from the trip and overwhelmed by how busy and rushed our lives in Sydney are. Overall this trip is an incredible, motivating and refreshing experience that you really will always have a special place in your heart for.
Bella Filipczyk
My trip to East Timor taught me so much about both the amazing country of Timor Leste and about myself. This trip made me think a lot about my core values and beliefs, in comparison to Australia’s core values and beliefs. I loved the whole journey because I learnt something new every day and I was always having an amazing time. Being with the kids in Gildapil made me think about how important a quality education is and also how important it is to have strong connections with the people in your life and the environment around you. I think that coming back from the trip I am going to think a lot more about the environment and my connections with the people around me. I am going to have a more positive outlook on my education and on life. I think this trip is a once in a life time opportunity because you get to experience life as a local Timorese person, instead of just being a tourist. You also get to delve deeper into the Timorese culture, and learn firsthand about people’s stories and experiences.
Eden Grynberg
East Timor was a ten day trip that truly changed my life. We learnt about the history and culture – the fact that Australia (one of Timor-Leste’s closest neighbours) wasn’t there to help Timor-Leste when they needed us the most (1975 to 1999). I specifically noticed how people with so little material wealth in their lives seem to live with such pride and happiness. We experienced this by immersing ourselves in their lives while we were there and the enormous difference was very clear. We went into one of the local houses and personally saw what it was like inside. The way they live is cramped with no privacy. The Timorese always have massive smiles on their faces no matter what and have a positive outlook on life. East Timor was an experience that will never be forgotten and one with many memories and stories to last a lifetime.
Layla Goldberg
