I was lucky enough to be one of the 20 students selected for the 2019 East Timor Immersion, and I have to say it was the most incredible experience. Once finding out I was selected I wasn’t to sure what to expect from the trip, but what I was able to experience is something that very few people do.

All 20 students stepped off the plane in Dili not knowing what we were about to walk into, but from then on it was an experience nothing short of amazing. We were instantly loved, respected and appreciated by complete strangers who we struggled to speak, but it was the people of Timor who made our experience so wonderful.

In both Lequidoe and Aileu, we had the opportunity to visit local schools and teach in some classrooms. It was so amazing to see how much they cared about their school and education, although they have very little resources.

They were all so willing to learn new things, even if it was in a language they couldn’t understand. We also had the chance to visit houses of the students from the local secondary schools. In groups of two or three, we were welcomed into their houses, with all their family and friends and made conversation with people who we struggled to understand.

It was definitely the most challenging part of the whole Immersion, but it was also so rewarding. It was so amazing to see how grateful and happy they are although they have so little, these people have to go through so much to live and have an education, yet they still show us so much happiness.

This whole Immersion has made me appreciate both our education and livings standards a whole lot more and it is something that I will always be grateful for.

To immerse ourselves in their culture, and the way they live was so eye-opening, and to see how dedicated they are there to religion although they have to walk so far is something that I will never never forget.

During our trip we had the opportunity to attend local masses in the morning, as well as their celebrations during the day. It was difficult to sit there listening to another language, but it was worth it in the end, to see the way they dress and celebrate was an incredible experience.

Not many words can describe how much I loved it, but East Timor was such an eye-opening and unforgettable experience, and one which I never wanted to end. The memories I made will be with me forever, and hopefully I will be back there in the future.

I can’t thank the people of East Timor and our school community enough for making this trip continue to happen.

This Immersion is definitely something that I will cherish forever. But to anyone thinking about applying, I encourage you to do it. You never know what will happen, and you definitely will not regret it!

By Immy Dixon

On 20th June, myself and 19 other students embarked on a journey that I can now call incredibly moving and life changing.

Before, during and after the experience had caused me to drastically change my outlook on my future and the way I perceive things personally and I can confidently say the person who has come back from East Timor has developed for the better.

During the time back from East Timor, it has enlightened myself to reflect on the experiences that have changed me as a person and allowed me to find myself. The world through my eyes has been changed as the uncertainty of the Timorese life I was wholeheartedly immersing into was formidable.

It still shocks me that the living conditions of the Timorese are so incredibly different to Australian’s even though we are a simple one-and-half-hour flight away.

The very few worthy goods the Timorese possess, yet the pure joy and happiness they provide each other after the traumatic incidents that have occurred is something, I think no one could prepare for or expect.

While in the depths of East Timor, the locals subconsciously taught me valuable life lessons that I had no idea I still had to learn.

Fresh clean running water, clean hygienic toilets, general health care, education and fresh produce are now things I see with gratification for appreciation.

When first finding out I had been accepted to embark on the journey I had told myself this is going to be a life changing experience.

Arriving in East Timor and spending 12 days with peers I felt as though it had not changed me as previous students who had gone had told me it would.

Yes, it had an impact seeing the dramatic change in living conditions but until I was back on home turf and had settled back into daily Australian routines, it hit me influences of the footprint the Timorese life had had on me on a personal level.

I aspire to give more gratitude for the ones in need.

To want less materialistic things and want more connections with the ones around me. I feel less of an urge to have to be perfect, to be happy or have everything to feel at peace with myself because over there they have the very least and they are the happiest people I have ever spent my time with.

The pure joy, generosity and contentment they radiated is something I will admire and hope to adopt into my life.

I was fortunate enough to make strong connections with some of the children over in Lequidoe and Aileu, a simple smile, wave or hug is something so special to them and they look at you like you are the most important person.

Being able to make a child smile and make their day better just with a smile is so rewarding to experience as you feel as though you have made an impact, where as if we were to do that back in Australia it would be turned a blind eye.

The Immersion in no way was smooth sailing, and there were numerous hurdles I personally had to overcome, such as language barriers, lack of hygiene, sickness, fatigue and different foods provided difficult times.

Although there were barriers, comparing these to the rewarding experiences I have embarked on,

I would not change even the most uncomfortable things for the outcome I have had.

Not only did I make connections with the Timorese and their country, the connections I made with my peers offers support, and we share a life worth of memories.

I can confidently say the Immersion to East Timor was the best 12 days I will ever have.

The experiences and things I have learnt about myself and the knowledge I have gained is so incredible it can’t be put into words how impactful it is.

I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to apply and fully immerse yourself into the culture and life of the Timorese.

The rewards gained from a simple 12 day trip will benefit and change your outlook on life. The experience is unforgettable during and after the journey is exceptional.

By Georgia Maiden

The East Timor Immersion was overall a very rewarding and eye-opening experience. We gained a lot of knowledge and insight into what their living conditions are and how grateful they are for what they have.

Having the chance to speak to so many inspiring people as well as learn about their past history and culture was both fulfilling and enlightening.

The most significant part of the immersion was hearing the Timorese people’s personal stories and some of the horrible experiences they faced. It is the way they handled these struggles and go on with life that was most inspiring.

It showed us how lucky we are to live in the world we do and have so many opportunities handed to us as well as having the privilege to live in a safe and well developed country.

What I got out of the Immersion was not to take life for granted and to try a bit harder each day, I realised not only how lucky I was but also that what you have isn’t a measure of how happy you are. The Timorese have a strong sense of community especially surrounding their faith and they are very proud of it. I hope in the future to use my experience to help others understand the circumstances of these people and how we can help as well as be grateful for our own situations.

By Phoebe Dargan

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