As we head to the Hanoi airport to begin our journey back to Melbourne, we want to share our final reflection.
Over the past 17 days, Vietnam Grey have had the experience of a life time. We have been through a lot together and as individuals we take away so many memories and lessons. These are some of the major things we have learnt…
Brooke – I learnt small things such as crossing the road and basic phrases in Vietnamese. I learnt that there is so much we don’t see about the world such as minority people living in poverty in small villages.
Annabelle – I’ve learnt more about myself. Being away from my usual circles has helped me see that I’m happy with who I am. I’ve learnt to be more grateful for my family and not to take my health for granted.
Siobhan – I’ve learnt that it’s a lot easier to make friends than I thought. It’s better to be respectful of how other people are than judging them for being themselves. It’s not that difficult to be away from home. I’ve learnt to be mindful of things and to look out for people other than myself. Also, it’s better to be on time all the time!
Luke – I’ve learnt that Vietnam has a very rich history and culture. The American/Vietnam war caused devastation in the North and the South, especially due to agent orange. Their culture is based around community; helping each other out. There are still quite a lot of minority peoples loving in poverty and Australia is assisting villages in the Mekong Delta. I’ve also learnt that people in the villages are very grateful for the simple things in life, and therefore I will not take things for granted at home.
Kim – I’ve learnt a lot about getting along with people and how to help those in need (village build) and I’ve learnt a lot about Vietnamese history such as all the destruction from the wars, and the Imperial Palace.
Bella – I’ve learnt through the village build that we are all connected in this world. I’ve learnt how prisoners were detained in old jails, how Ho Chi Minh was significant to Vietnam’s progress, and how the Royal Families lived. I can now connect more easily with people and have a deeper understanding of respect and compassion for one another.
Gemma – I’ve learnt more about Vietnamese culture and their everyday life. Whilst there are many differences there are some similarities. I’ve learnt how to communicate better across language barriers. I got a new perspective of how people in other countries live, including their struggles, their values and the way they treat each other. The Vietnamese have a really strong sense of community.
Garrett – I’ve learnt more about the Vietnamese culture and the major historical events that have had an everlasting effect on this country and its people. I have come out of my comfort zone and tried new things which taught me more about myself. My communication skills have dramatically improved because I had to understand the bits of English which some Vietnamese locals knew. I have also gained a responsibility to care for not only myself but my peers while travelling through a foreign place. I have gained strong relationships with everyone in the Vietnam Grey group and I’m looking forward to reflecting upon the whole trip when I return to Melbourne.
Chloe – I’ve learnt more about the American War and how much of an impact it had on Vietnam, including some of the devastating effects that are still visible today. I’ve also learnt how being pushed outside of your comfort zone has such a positive effect on your personality and can change who are and how you see the world.
Rose – I learnt how important each little aspect of a culture is and even how a person as seemingly insignificant as the common beggar on the street can be an important aspect of the Vietnamese culture. I learnt how doing little like smiling or waving can change someone’s day, the whole group saw how some of the villagers faces would light up even with a simple xin chao or smile. I learnt that by expanding my horizons and leaving the Bayside bubble, I am able to open my eyes to new opportunities and new experiences. These experiences, I have noticed, are often very rewarding. Building a simple brick house for a family in a village is one of these many experiences where I can appreciate how much we can do if we just put our minds to it. As St Leonard’s college students, I think all of Vietnam grey can appreciate all the hard work that they have done.
Pip – I have learnt many skills during this trip and challenged myself in a new environment. I have become more flexible with others but also more independent and responsible. I’ve learnt more about the development and history of the city. I have learnt the vast differences of environments and conditions between countries and how lucky we are back in Australia. By building a house for a family in the Mekong Delta, I became a lot more aware of the privileges we have in Melbourne. This trip was an amazing experience and I would never regret a minute!
Frazer – I’ve learnt heaps about the history of Vietnam, their politics and Ho Chi Minh. I’ve also learnt how to get along with a large group for an extended period of time. Through building a house for a village family I am now aware of how privileged I am and I’ll will not take my rights and freedom for granted because there are a lot of people who don’t have the same opportunities.
Jess – I’ve learnt about the culture and history of Vietnam. I’ve learnt how to work in a large group and bond with people who originally weren’t close friends. I’ve learnt how to adapt to different environments and appreciate where I live. At the Mekong Delta I became aware of hard it can be for people in developing countries and that not everyone is as lucky as me. I’ve learnt to be more aware of my surroundings especially in heavily built-up areas in large cities.
Hannah – I’ve learnt the importance of relationships and culture through travelling through Vietnam. Vietnam has an admirable culture of family and connectedness which has taught me the importance of these things. Our time at the Mekong Delta opened my eyes to the world beyond what we know and understand, highlighting differences but also similarities between my life and theirs. My experience in Vietnam has proven to me the importance of a smile, beating the language barrier in order to become immersed in the culture and create memorable relationships.
Nic – I’ve learnt about how many people are underprivileged and how lucky we are back home in Australia to have such high quality resources along with nice homes and buildings. The living conditions in Vietnam have definitely opened my eyes and truly made me appreciate my family and friends along with the opportunities we have. The village build and riding through the small town of Binh Hoa Phuoc gave me a better perspective into what the conditions of living in a village is like and how close everyone is to each other, a quality that many people in the suburbs we live in don’t posses. Overall, our tour guides Hai and Quyen are the two people who have taught me the most explaining the history of beautiful Vietnam and how the cities work and thrive.
Sam – From the rice paddies and farmland to the skyscrapers and ancient buildings, I’ve learnt throughout this trip the way cities work, communities thrive and the factors involved in keeping an environment healthy and sustainable, even though Vietnam struggles to do so. The house build truly proved to be a test of both physical and mental strength, however it paid off by the end and provided insight into poverty and gained skills in building a house. Overall, our tour guides showcased the best of Vietnam and I’m returning home with plenty new knowledge.
Carlin – Whilst travelling through Vietnam I have engaged in many experiences that have ultimately helped me to learn more about the way Vietnamese people live, and how the country works. It is clear that Vietnam contains a lot of poverty and underprivileged people, but these things can be changed by ourselves and others in the future, through relationships and hard work. I have also learnt a lot about the history of the War, thanks to our knowledgeable tour guides, and friends, Hai and Quyen. My trip to Vietnam, especially the Mekong Delta, has broadened my understanding of the world, and highlighted differences, but also similarities between the way our life works compared to theirs.
Gavin – I’ve learnt lots of history and culture about Vietnam, especially the wars. I also learnt a lot about how the Vietnamese locals live and many things about their daily lives that might be different to Australia. I had lots of fun.
Flo – I’ve learnt how to navigate my way around the busy streets of Vietnam and how to be appreciative of my parents and all that do for me. I’ve learnt a lot more about Vietnamese history and culture such as Ho Chi Minh’s influences.
Nilab – I’ve learnt many things for example how to use chopsticks, how to build a house, how to ride a bicycle on a rough surface. I learnt about historical places such as cu chi tunnels, imperial palace, and Japanese bridge. I’ve learnt how to travel overseas without my parents.
Spike – I’ve learnt that building a house is quite hard but also extremely satisfying. I’ve also learnt the skills to be able to deal with not being at home or in Victoria for an extended period of time. Most of all I’ve learnt how to deal with situations that are outside my comfort zone and be comfortable to sort out a situation independently.
