Author: jricketson

 

On our last day in Beijing, we visited the glorious Temple of Heaven before departing Beijing and saying goodbye to our wonderful guide, Charles.

 

For our last day, we thought we’d offer some of the final reflections of the members of the 2018 China group on their Big Experience:

 

Josh: I used to think that China was just a busy, bustling urban environment full of factories, pollution and people. However, China, in reality, is a very diverse environment and is not at all as I thought. The people in the mountains for example still live a very agricultural and traditional lifestyle and the Buddhist temples are upholding centuries of tradition that still has not changed. I also thought that the Big Experience was just about learning the environment and what the culture of China is like, but at least to me, it was the people we met along the way. From the guides, the teachers and the locals I learned so much about the world around me and how humanity is connected as a whole, as well as becoming closer to people I would never have imagined talking to. In all, the Big Experience is truly a massive, unforgettable trip that let me experience a world completely out of my comfort zone, and doing so with the people who I lived with for almost three weeks.

 

Ruby: Before coming to China I used to think that the activities would be very set out for us and we wouldn’t have much freedom to spend time with friends or shop; I now think that we had so much freedom to relax and get to know everyone in the group. I also thought that China was very industrial and modern, although this is true I also know that it is very diverse and there are huge differences in places such as Shanghai and Miao village.

 

Emily: I used to think that I would struggle to get through the trip. I assumed that the group would be very split up and no one would talk to each other. I was surprised at how quickly everyone became friends. I worried I would become homesick but I really didn’t. I found that when anyone was feeling a little down the group would lift them up and help them get through whatever they were going through. I also thought that China would be drastically different to home. However, I found that many of the people we met and places we visited felt quite familiar. Overall, the trip has been amazing. I will miss the group, teachers and our fantastic tour guide Charles very much. Sadly, all good things must come to an end. In a few hours, we will be in the air and on way home. I am sad to leave but I feel I am ready. I will now and forever look back on this trip fondly. It has certainly been a ‘Big Experience’.

 

Lachlan B: Before I came to China, I used to think that opposing opinions to the government are harshly censored or punished. Now that I have talked to different people throughout my journey, my opinion has changed. Although Chinese media is heavily censored and in favour of the Chinese Communist Party, many citizens I met freely expressed views that were directly opposed to the government’s narrative without fear of persecution.

 

Annie: throughout this seemingly endless trip I have been able to broaden my existing knowledge and ideologies. I honestly at the start of this trip I was unintentionally arrogant towards some of the Chinese normalities such as; the bathrooms, personal space and security. But through this trip, I was able to realise that the ‘Western’ way of doing things isn’t always the most ideal. I found that I was able to become accustomed to a different way of doing things and behaving. Overall on this trip, I was able to experience a different way of living which has helped me to become more open-minded about other cultures.

 

Ben: my experiences with going to China has changed my thoughts and views on this remarkable country. China is rich in many ways; such as rich in money in some places and cities, rich in people, and rich in great tourist attractions. The beautiful buildings are everywhere, but the ones that stood out are the impressive modern buildings in Shanghai. The amazing activities we did will stay with me for a very long time, these activities we did have made me see much more than communism and bamboo when seeing China.

 

Tom: Big Experience has been incredible and I am so grateful I have been able to participate in it. I used to think of travelling overseas without my family for 18 days was very daunting and something I was not interested in doing. Now I think that this trip has been the best thing I have done all year! I would encourage everyone to go on Big Experience as it has grown confidence and independence in myself. My highlight has been working in the panda sanctuary and visiting the Great Wall of China. I am very sad that this journey is coming to an end, but I cannot wait to see friends and family back home in Australia.

 

Griffin: I used to think that China was as developed as Australia in terms of sanitation and rural development. However, having visited the nation on the Big Experience, I have realised that China is still modernizing the level of infrastructure in many of the lesser cities and rural towns. Tier One cities such as Beijing and Shanghai are close to the West in both infrastructure and urban development, while the regional areas we visited in Guangzhou are not. While possessing a spectacularly powerful economy, the nation is a semi-developed country that is in the process of modernisation that has not yet finished.

 

Lachlan T: I have found this Big Experience to be a life-changing adventure that has taught me more than I could have ever imagined. I have learned about the rapid urbanisation of cities as well as the beautifully simple life of the people in the traditional Miao village. I have also learned heaps about how to manage my stress when travelling and also make sure I am keeping track of all my important travel documents. Being thrown in at the deep end on this trip has really forced all of us to grow up and start to learn about the realities of being an adult. I have loved every moment of this trip and I hope these memories and skills I have developed stay with me in my older years and help me to become a better person.

 

Sophie: I have been looking forward to coming on this trip ever since I learned of St Leonard’s College, back in 2013. I was excited to be coming to a new country, being able to share an amazing experience with my peers, who I hoped to become very close with over the course of the two weeks spent abroad. Immediately before coming on the trip, I was excited that I would be able to see a wide variety of cultural diversity and experience so many new things that I had never done before, such as ride a bullet train, farm in a village and explore new cities where I could not understand anything. When I look back on this trip in the years to come, I know I will only remember the positive experiences. I am sure that the second I step foot inside the college grounds, I will be wishing I were back in China because I wish the trip hadn’t come to such an abrupt end.

 

Izzy: Before I came to China I had a very different opinion on how different cultures operated together. I used to think that different religions would be more separated and the different religions weren’t connected; however, I found that all of China is very connected and the land is connected to the people. This has shown me a place where people operate together but with differences to Australia. I have really enjoyed learning about the culture and history while eating incredible food all over the country. China has opened my eyes to the world beyond my home and has really prepared me for my future. This experience has given me more skills like responsibility for myself and has made me become more organised. I think that the big experience has been an amazing trip that I will never forget.

 

Anika: When I came to China, I expected the cities to be very similar to Jakarta. But now that I’ve experienced the cities for myself, I now know how different every single place and town is. Every city that we visited was different in its own way. I noticed that along with the modern skyscrapers and buildings, there are also many buildings left that we built centuries ago. These buildings are made with the traditional Chinese style and I think that it was really cool to have that mix of modern and traditional. There was also great public transportation, unlike Jakarta. China was an amazing experience that made me more connected to my peers and the world. I learned many things about the country and connected it with my own knowledge. My biggest take away from the trip was how much I was able to relax. There were so many places, like the Royal Palace Gardens and the Great Wall, that I was just able to sit back, relax and think. I really liked letting go of my worries and just enjoying what was around me.

 

Jack C: One particularly memorable experience from the Big Experience that will, I believe, stay with me forever was the time when we visited the Miao ethnic minority villages. Of particular significance was the moment when we donated winter clothing and a new laptop to the school. It was particularly moving to see the expressions on the faces of the teachers and students when we announced our donations. Almost every face cracked into an identical smile. These people, who seemed to have so little in life now had just a little bit more, which might make a major contribution to their life in the present and future. Now, I must confess that I am the kind of person that feels a bit adrift without anything to do, and sometimes I wonder what I want the overall purpose of my life to be. I now have my answer. Whatever I do in life, I want to create more moments like this. More moments when I know that my hard work (in this case fundraising through the walkathon) has made a positive difference to the lives of others. This is what Big Experience has given me. Purpose. Certainty. For that, I will be forever grateful, and, when I am older, I will always remember this moment that gave me that clarity.

 

Finlay: I used to think that China was far further behind in the technological development than it actually is. It is often portrayed as almost a developing country, with little to no technology in most areas. This is untrue, however; as China is well within Western standards in most cities. In some of the more rural farming areas the technology is still developing, but even then, the villages are quickly catching up. The government is giving people discounts to upgrade their housing and paying large amounts of money to do so. The Big Experience has given me the opportunity to learn more about another country’s culture and customs in a more personal fashion than many other people have. This trip has been truly astounding and I hope to come again one day.

 

Jack N: One particular moment on the Big E that was memorable to me was when we visited the Centre supporting adults who had disabilities such as Down Syndrome. This stood out for me because of how we communicated with them, we didn’t talk verbally, instead, we exchanged dances and songs. It portrayed how we didn’t need verbal communication to exchange our cultures but instead how we need to be open-minded towards each other and be respectful of those different to us.

 

Rebecca: from the Big Experience, I have seen, through the village, that the environment is very important and should be conserved. I have also learnt more about why we need to preserve the environment and what I can do to help this. A particular moment in the trip that helped me to understand the need for preserving the environment, was when I saw how the people in the Miao village use their resources around them to thrive. Without these precious resources, such as wood, water, fertile land and vegetation, the people wouldn’t be able to thrive and develop, as the land is the centre of their livelihood. The biggest lesson I have learnt from the Big Experience is that every small effort to improve something can make a difference. Learning this has helped me to become more confident in what I do and how I can make a difference.

 

Cathy: the most memorable experience for me is the time with local students in Guiyang. Although I do live in China, I never been to a school in the village and even teach the kids. I saw the life in there and how simple it is. They enjoy their life so much, this is the experience that I probably will never have again so that it’s very important.

 

Noah: the biggest lesson I learned on big experience was about understanding and empathising with other people’s situations in order to come to terms with and appreciate my own. Throughout the trip, I experienced a culture that I had never known before and when compared to my own I realised that difference and change are not bad things, but things that I have to come to terms with, things that I must learn to love. A vivid example of this is when I visited the Miao people, as their village lifestyle is very different to the Bayside I know and love. When I talked and interacted with the kids, I noticed that even though their lives aren’t as fancy or privileged as mine, they enjoy it just as much or maybe even more than me.

 

Reilly: Big Experience was something that will stick with me for a long time, but one thing I learned was how valuable it is to have a really close friend. When you are away from family for such a long time, you start to feel lonely in some activities you do or places you go. Having a close friend to confide in was really valuable in those moments. I feel like also having some people in your group you don’t know well is important too. To fill up time, you can get to know other people you may not have had a chance to talk to at school or elsewhere. Overall, Big Experience was valuable to me for many different reasons and is a trip that will stick with me throughout my lifetime.

 

Daniel: the Big Experience and my experience in China over the last 17 days have been unparalleled in terms of exposure to the culture of another country and even subcultures in different sections. One of the most major conveyors of culture in China is the architecture and artefacts present both in museums and interwoven with more modernised sections of the cities we have visited. They have opened my eyes to the significance of historical preservation and is why the highlights of my trip have been the visits to the historical sites, especially the Great Wall. Combining the wonder behind the construction of a structure of that magnitude with the other-worldly scenery gives an experience that will stay with me forever. My most valuable lesson learnt through this trip is that despite the differences we have, all people are somewhat the same. Our time in the little Miao village shows how they value community, but so too does the community gardens that surround the Temple of Heaven in the megacity of Beijing. I know for sure that I will cherish this experience forever.

 

Justin: In the suspenseful lead-up to the Big Experience, we worked through the 3 long, through stages of the CUE program: Community, Urban, and Environment. The various locations we experienced on our trip to China gave me a real-life opportunity to witness the essential aspects of CUE implemented and present in one of the world’s fastest developing nations. The Guiyang village, a tidy array of farm plots and traditional Chinese building scattered on the steep walls of the mountains illustrated the benefits of a tight, coordinated community. Seeing local young farmers gathering at the community school’s basketball courts to have fun highlighted even in the most isolated of places, a tightly bonded community can still thrive. The metropolis of Shanghai was an astounding representation of a city designed to perform efficiently and serve its citizens. Of its many characteristics superior to Melbourne was its public transport system. Shanghai’s underground subway system was streamlined, and we were able to go across the city with nothing more than our vendor tickets and a few stops. Finally, in the parks surrounding the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, we witnessed something of a miracle. The city had constructed a facility no smaller than a soccer pitch jam-packed with fitness equipment for the elderly to use. Creating an environment like this provided a place for the retired to stay healthy and socialise, and it was truly quite incredible to witness those in their 60’s during chin-ups. Although China is still developing, there are many aspects which cities like Melbourne should aim to adopt. I had an amazing time exploring the massive country and will never forget some of the places I visited.

 

Akshaye: the Big Experience is a very memorable experience that will stay with me throughout my entire life as it is one of the highlights of my schooling experience. The Big Experience is very important to me as it has taught me many things when comparing Australia to China; such as cultural differences and country differences. During the Big Experience, it was evident to see how the method of people’s lives differed when compared to ours. Ultimately, the Big Experience will help me in the future when I travel, as it has shown me the basics of travelling around a foreign country.

 

Max: throughout the big experience I have learnt many new things about being in and around something that is seen as foreign to me. The trip has taught me about responsibility in how I look after my items, but also about being aware of others. It also taught me to embrace that culture and gain or experience a perspective outside what I am used to.

 

Lachlan OB: the biggest lesson I have learned from the Big Experience is the importance of self-reliance, organisation and independence. Moreover, I have learned the difference between Western media portrayals of China and the actual lived experience of the people there. I will think more cautiously and critically about such portrayals in the future.

 

James: throughout my time in China, one thing that has really struck me is the vibrant culture and uniqueness present in every one of the cities that we visited, which is in stark contrast to what western media tells us. While this does sound naïve, before going to China I imagined as a dark, gloomy authoritarian society, with its many tourist attractions being all the culture that there was to see. However, from the 16 days that I have spent there, I have realised that China is truly one of the most vibrant, colourful, multicultural countries that I will ever get the privilege to visit. I have loved China and its rich history and culture which it displays almost constantly, however, this isn’t the China that is portrayed in Western media, which, in itself is a shame for both sides. This, I suppose, is a key learning point that will stay with me the notion that all media I absorb through the various different mediums isn’t necessarily the media that is correct, or written for the right reasons, and that I should aim to be warier of the media that aims to divide, rather than connect.

 

Curtis: Before coming on the big experience, I had a reasonable amount of knowledge of China and its history. Now, after having been to many historical sites I realise how inconsequential my previous knowledge really was to what I know now. If I was asked to describe the history of China now, it would include much more detail, variety and feeling than before the big experience. Personally, there have been many memorable moments, that of which I will carry with me through for the rest of my life. If I had to choose a single moment, it would have to be the day we spent at the school in the Miao village. The bond that was created in such a short amount of time was amazing, and the respect and humbleness demonstrated by both parties showed a sustainable friendship being formed. Of this day, playing a pickup basketball game with some local adults from the village was the most enjoyable part. Dubbed a “friendship game”, some of our own year 9 students got an exhilarating workout at the hands of some talented young adults. The biggest lesson I have learned while on the big experience is definitely to appreciate and work with what you have. Kids in the Miao village never complained about anything and were always grateful and appreciative of everything that helped them. This demonstrated how very different China and Australia in the sense that we are very privileged and often have more than we need. If I had to sum up the entire big experience in a sentence I would say: by developing sustainable and long-lasting relationships with others and having respect and appreciation for other cultures is what leads to personal satisfaction and unselfishness while also positively impacting others.

 

Brodie: upon my China Big Experience trip, visiting and assisting with the generous and thankful people at the Miao village was something that I think will stick with me for life. My experience of the village had significantly broadened my understandings of appreciation for what I have but more importantly the things that we can collectively do to assist those in need. Through our sharing of knowledge in our teaching lessons but also our fundraising of gifts, we provided to the people who need it most taught me the importance of appreciation of what I have but what I can give.

 

Charlie: my most memorable experience from of the China Trip was the visit to the local school. Not only did we get to interact with the locals and in particular the children, but we got to see how similar we really are to them. Teaching them was a really enjoyable experience and getting to see how they experience school and education was an insightful opportunity. Half a world may separate Australia and China but the similarities between the kids over there and the kids over here are abundantly clear and the memories that we all made with them are some that we will hold onto for a lifetime.

 

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