Timor-Leste Immersion 

For ten days in September 2026, students and staff accepted the opportunity to immerse themselves in life in Timor Leste. With the aid of our wonderful guide, Sebas, they connected with many students and inhabitants of Baucau, Quelicai and Lautem, even connecting with past principals of CCS, in Br. Paul Kane. Each had their own goal whilst being away and was able to recognise what they learned about themselves, each other and the wonderful place and community that is Timor.

On this note, let’s hear from some of our students about what they learned…

Kempsea: 

The Timor immersion was a life-changing experience that pushed me outside my comfort zone and showed me how adaptable I can be. I loved spending time with the students and seeing the real impact our donations made on their schools and communities. Although the lifestyle was very different to what I’m used to, it taught me to appreciate a different way of living. I would encourage anyone to apply because it creates meaningful connections, lasting memories and a new perspective on life, especially the sense of freedom in Timor Leste.

Stefani: 

East Timor was an awesome experience as the immersion allowed me to learn more about the country, about myself and about what the Marist community really means. From travelling to schools such as Kulugia primary school, Colégio Marista Lautém, St. Terezinha in Quelicai and many more to eat rice and noodles for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every moment was an unforgettable and eye-opening experience. Seeing what fundraising our school does and what buying one sausage REALLY means to a community in East Timor is much bigger than what we think we are a part of. How Catholicism and Marist solidarity branches out so far and makes lives worth living for the Timorese makes me so grateful for the things such as fridges, toilets, education, buildings and more. A highlight of my trip was trying to communicate with the Timorese children who didn’t speak English. It proved a wholesome moment for all of us as we taught them things through actions and gimmicks, reminding me that we are all human and it was beautiful to see. Nearing the end of the experience all of us Catholic College students became so close, and we will remain friends and hope to return to East Timor in the future.

Maya: 

After going on the immersion trip to Timor-Leste, I feel very grateful that I had the opportunity to experience a different culture and way of life. Before the trip, I was excited but also nervous about being in a completely different environment. However, once I arrived, I became more comfortable and really enjoyed learning about the people, culture and history of Timor-Leste. Visiting schools and spending time with local communities was one of the most meaningful parts of the trip. It showed me how important education, relationships and community are. The trip also made me realise how much we take for granted in Australia. Seeing the different living conditions and challenges that some people face helped me appreciate the opportunities and resources I have at home. At the same time, I learnt that happiness and community are not based on how much someone has. The kindness, welcoming nature and positivity of the people we met really stood out to me. The immersion trip helped me become more open-minded, grateful and understanding. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone and gave me memories and experiences that I will never forget. I think I have come home with a greater appreciation for my own life and a better understanding of the importance of helping and connecting with others.

Lily:

I loved meeting new people, making a positive impact on young kids' education and being part of a team. I found it challenging to learn Tetum at first, but I became more confident as the trip went on. I learned that I am patient, supportive and enjoy helping children understand new things and improve their learning. People should apply because it is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience, meet new people and develop skills for the future. It is a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.

Isabella: 

Timor Leste was such an incredible experience that I feel I am so privileged to have been involved in. Some highlights were interacting with the local children and school children, and learning the Tetum they taught us, as well as the ceremonies at every school we attended and how close our group got throughout all of the experiences. Some challenging aspects were the confronting reality of the amount of rubbish, and poverty, however this was very important to witness. I would highly recommend this experience to any people in year 10 wishing to push their comfort zones and help people. It was such an amazing experience, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Emily: 

The whole of the Timor immersion was such an amazing experience, but I absolutely loved being around the kids and spending time with them, meeting so many new people. Something that I found challenging was the language barrier, it was a challenge especially when trying to teach the kids lesson plans. I also found the living conditions hard, but that is coming from a person who is much more fortunate than those in Timor. I learnt that I am an extremely fortunate person, with my education and my living conditions. I also learnt that I love helping kids and communicating with them, even when it’s hard. I could still communicate without knowing the same language. People should apply for this immersion as it is one of the best experiences, and it is an eye-opening experience. To see how fortunate we are but also how different the world is out of Australia. It is not only a trip overseas, but it is a trip for good because you learn so much.