It is hard to believe we are over half way into the trip. Today the group enjoyed our last day in Hoi An and tomorrow we move on to Hue. This morning during a reflection activity we asked the group to consider and respond to two questions:
What have I learnt about Vietnam?
What have I learnt about myself?
Here are some of their reflections…
“I have learnt that I love trying new things and having new experiences.”
-Hannah
“I have learnt that being overseas I always become more appreciative of the place I come from and the family I have.”
-Jorja
“I have learnt that I am more resilient, mentally and physically than I previously thought.”
-Oliver
“I have realised that I am capable of more things than I thought I was capable of. I have learnt I am able to relate to my peers.”
-Joe
“I have learnt that Vietnam is very family orientated and that the people take care of the community.”
-Elyse
“I have learnt a lot about Vietnam. I have learnt about the community (through the orphanage and villages). I have learnt that we share values and are connected through communication, helpfulness, celebrations and other things.”
-Ned
“I have learnt that some people are still suffering from the war while I barely heard about it when I lived in America. I also learnt that even with all the noise here, I am still more peaceful than when I am in Australia.”
-Brock
“I thought it would be very difficult to spend three weeks without social networking but we are 11 days in and I couldn’t care less.”
-Tanner
“I have learnt that the country has suffered a lot, but everyone is still happy and welcoming.”
-Alessia
“I have learnt a lot about how resilient and independent I can be when having to look after myself.”
-Tom
“I have learnt that I should be more grateful about living in Australia and going to a school like St Leonard’s. I have learnt that you don’t need technology to have a fun and happy life.”
-Theo
“I have learnt that Vietnamese people (especially along the Mekong Delta) help each other a lot. There is a much stronger sense of community here than at home.”
-Polly
” I have learnt that people here have a different relationship with animals than we do. They generally don’t keep animals as pets. All their animals have a purpose like being killed for food, or being used with crops.”
-Ben
“I have learnt that Vietnamese villages are sustainable. People can produce everything they need themselves such as growing fruit, vegetables and livestock, and making their own tools such as the tool that removes the coconuts from the trees.”
-Marvin
“I have learnt that Vietnam is a cultural and varied country. It is dense and busy, but also peaceful and quiet.”
-Alec
“I found the orphanage a very confronting places there are many kids there with disabilities that have been caused by agent orange, something that was used in the war. It was very confronting because it still affects people in Vietnam today.”
-Charlotte
“I have realised how lucky I am. We have seen a lot of poverty and even just to have a warm, safe home and clean tap water is something that a lot of people don’t have.”
-Issy
