Author: jricketson



Today we leave beautiful Vietnam! Vietnam Grey were all eager to share a final reflection on what they had learned during the Big Experience:

– Chelsea: The most important thing I have learnt on this trip is the value of family. I have missed my family and being away from everyone has taught me more about being independent.

– Jade: The most important thing i have learnt during this trip is to appreciate the little things. Things like water, food, clothes, friends and family might not seem like much and can be taken for granted, but throughout this trip I have realised how important they actually are to me and how much of a big difference they can actually make to your life. 

– Emma: The most important thing I have learnt during this trip is to not always think something will be bad before trying it. Before this trip, I was quite negative about going. Now I see that I have had an amazing time and have done amazing things.

– Kate: The most important thing I have learnt whilst being on this trip is appreciation and independence. I’ve learnt to not take simple things for granted and to praise little things that I have not been as grateful for in the past. 

– Jasmine: this trip is almost impossible to summarise, but I can leave you with this: on this trip, I have learnt so much, experienced so much and, in many ways, I have found myself and who I want to be. I’ve clarified my friendships and refined my morals. It was life changing. 

– Veronica: I can’t believe this trip is over! I remember being so ecstatic about going all year. I’ve learned so many different skills on this trip, but I think the most important thing that I’ve learnt on the Big Experience is that we take so many things for granted. I realised how fortunate we are.

– Ethan: One of the greatest experiences of my life. Not only have I enjoyed myself here, but I’ve also developed as a person and a traveller. I am 100 percent coming back when I’m older.

– Hamish G: I would say that the main thing I learned on the big experience was the importance of travel in personal development. In visiting vietnam I have developed as a person, learned how to better solve problems i a faced with and communicate with people who speak another language.

– Luca: This experience was the most amazing and memorable trip of my life. I loved learning new skills, meeting new people and most of all, experiencing new things. 

– Hamish R: This was by far the most exciting and diverse three weeks of my life. During this trip, I have learnt so much about the Vietnamese culture and people. Each city and person had different values but i was also able to see the commonalities that united this remarkable culture.

– Francesco M: They don’t call it a “big experience” for no reason. The trip showed me things I had never seen, allowed me to bond and create friendships with not only to the people in my group, but also the people of Vietnam.

– Henry: As a result the Big Experience, I have learnt many vital life lessons that will greatly impact my view of the world and ultimately, my future. The most important lesson that I have learnt is the importance of relationships and the amount of happiness that it provides.

– Amelie: I have learnt many things on this trip, but from visiting the orphanage and the village I have really learnt to be grateful for what I have now.

– Rhys: The Big Experience has been an incredible experience. It has made me much more independent, while at the same time being an awful lot of fun! I have gained many friendships and now feel so close with everyone in the whole group. 

– Matt T: The most important thing I feel I have learnt during this brilliant opportunity in Vietnam is that money is not everything. People should value family relationships more as they do more good. This is one “big experience” I will never forget.

– James: The most important thing I have learnt on this trip has to be respectful. Each student has respected each other, respected Vietnamese culture, and respected each and every person that we have interacted with. I will remember this experience forever. 

– Josh: The Big Experience has been one of the most exciting things of my life, and I will not forget a single moment. It has taught me to budget and to be independent whist also being a good team member. So sad it is coming to an end.

– Chloe: Big Experience has been an amazing seventeen days. i’m so blessed to have been able to experience everything that i have on this trip and to have learnt many important life lessons that will lead me having a better future.  

– Allana: Coming into The Big Experience, I thought I knew what to expect; the trip itself changed my perceptive entirely. Experiencing Vietnam made me focus on my self and others. Beautiful souls and culture, the whole trip in and out of the group is something that will guide me for the future. I will never forget it. 

– Matt S: The Big experience is something I will hold on for the rest of my life. I’ve had so many memorable moments with my group. I have learnt many things about myself, my group and the of course Vietnam and I’m very grateful for this opportunity.

– Brodie: My Big Experience in Vietnam has significantly expanded my knowledge on so many things, such as Vietnam’s history, the life of a villager on the Mekong Delta, South East Asia’s foreign affairs and many other things. Most importantly, I have learned about the vast, unique and beautiful culture of Vietnam. I could not be more grateful.

– Ade: This trip has taught me something that I wouldn’t learn anywhere else. I have matured and become more grateful. I am especially grateful to have gone on such an amazing trip with my friends.

– Shayla: This trip has been a great experience where I’ve gotten the opportunity to learn about the culture of Vietnam alongside my new friends. I learned how to bargain and communicate with the locals, as well as basic construction skills. I’ve also learned to appreciate what I have back home after seeing how grateful and positive so many less fortunate people are.

– Lola: The Big Experience has been an unforgettable experience and something I will remember forever. It has taught me to be grateful and to look at life from different perspectives. I have learnt about myself and to value my life in Australia.

– Hugo: The Big Experience has been an amazing and unforgettable adventure for me and my peers. My time in Vietnam has taught me a lot about myself, things such as challenging myself, trying new things and meeting new people has put a new perspective on my life.    

– Anika: Travelling to Vietnam for the Big Experience has been an incredible time and given me memories that I will treasure forever. Being able to try new things and see how others live in a country that is not our own has made me feel very lucky and grateful to live in Australia.

 

 

By Chloe and Matt S

 

As the trip rapidly comes to an end, today was saddening for most. We realised that it is the last full day that we will spend in the wonderful Vietnam! We started the day with a visit to the sacred Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which is the final resting place of the Revolutionary Communist leader of the same name. Although we were not able to go inside, it was nonetheless amazing to see this significant site. With a parade of people outside, including multitudes of tourists, we spent time enjoying ourselves and taking photographs.

After a short bus trip, we arrived at the Hanoi Hilton, which is the ironic nickname given by American GI servicemen to Ho La Prison. Originally constructed by French colonists, the prison was utilised by North Vietnam during the war to hold U.S. prisoners of war. The prison was eye-opening and confronting, a window into the brutality of a different age. We viewed cells complete with life-size mannequins, clothed to resemble the prisoners that were once held there. With their feet locked up and only little personal space, it was saddening to see how such prisoners were treated. We learned about the devastating extent to which the prisoners were tortured. Rebellious prisoners, for instance, had to stay in pitch-black rooms which caused numerous physical and mental health issues.

Our last major excursion of the day was to the Australian Embassy. Replete with Australian flags and familiar accents, we felt briefly as though we were back on Australian soil.  We were invited into a lecture room to learn about the diplomatic relationship between Australia and Vietnam. We learnt that the Australian embassy in Hanoi was a medium-sized embassy, proportionate to the size of the relationship we share. We learned many interesting facts! Among many projects in the country is infrastructure; Australia, for instance, is building a bridge in Vietnam worth 160 million dollars. We learned about the importation and exportation of shrimp; did you know that Australia imports frozen shrimp and exports fresh shrimp to Vietnam? The embassy has to deal with many problems of both a large and trivial nature. One continuing issue is the flying of the yellow South Vietnamese flag by Australian city councils, which is viewed as deeply offensive by the Vietnamese government. However, the Australian response is to defend our constitutionally enshrined freedom of speech.

After this informative presentation, we had some free time to enjoy lunch and do a bit of last minute shopping. We chose our own places to have lunch. The shopping was amazing. Everyone tried to get rid of their dong and finish buying all the things on their wish list! Getting back to the hotel everyone was in a mad rush to finish their journey.docs, which were due at 5:45pm. We then dressed for our last dinner together in Vietnam as a group.

It was an emotional time for all of us. We reflected on the past 16 days we have spent together and realised that the trip we have prepared so long for is coming to an end!

 

Dear Hoover squad,

I miss watching Netflix with you and by myself, and the never ending amount of snacks in our cupboards. I also miss you all very much and want a large pizza when I get back and a tub of Connoisseur vanilla ice-cream I’m very excited to have ice cold water at hand 24/7 and tonic water. And I call dibs on choosing the movie tomorrow night and the first shower.

Kind regards, your forever amazing daughter,

Chloe

 

Dear Family,

 

This has truly been one of the best experiences of my life. I have learnt so much about myself and have created life long memories. Even though I thought I would never say it I’ve missed you guys a lot. I’m excited to not have to go to the local convenience store to get fresh water and to catch up on all the stuff I’ve missed out on. Mum and Dad, I hope you have a blast in Vietnam next year, it is an unforgettable country. Make sure to drink plenty of coffee with condensed milk.

 

Matt

 

 

By Ade and Allana

 

Today started off with an early 4:30am wake up on the overnight train. It was a struggle, as most found it challenging to rise so early, and there was loud bustle and chaos disembarking the train. Hopping off the train gave us a quick boost of adrenaline, after which we felt fatigued. Wheeling our suitcases through the busy station also proved an unusually difficult process. Driving through the dark, cold streets of Hanoi left the students of Vietnam Grey longing to sleep in our luxurious new hotel, the Skylark Hotel.

We had a well-needed snooze until 8am, when our day properly started. After our delicious buffet breakfast, we had a short bus tour. First stop was the historical Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam, founded in 1076AD. The temple has important cultural significance; many graduates celebrate by having their picture taken there. The gorgeous architecture of the buildings reflected the importance of this area to the local Vietnamese, and reflect the importance of Confucian worship in their lives. The presence of Confucius speaks to the influence that China had upon Vietnamese culture at the time.

Next, we had a short walking tour around the picturesque lake, Hoan Kiem. It was serene and relaxing as we strolled towards the Old Quarter. Hai led us around the Old Quarter shortly before we broke off into groups to shop around small local boutiques and markets. We quickly noticed that little souvenirs were popular in Hanoi. After our little shopping spree, we ate lunch at a local restaurant, Lien Huong, where Barack Obama famously ate in 2016. The succulent barbeque pork soup, buncha, is a signature dish of the restaurant. Getting back on the bus, after lunch, we left the Old Quarter to go back to our hotel to rest.

At 5pm, we walked around Hanoi, returning to the Old Quarter to have dinner at the Little Hanoi Restaurant. We got served several traditional Vietnamese dishes that included chicken, beef and pork, and steamed rice. While eating, we read the messages written on dollar bills, hotel cards and napkins placed underneath the glass on the table by previous customers. Once we could no longer eat, the night continued with a fascinating water puppet show. It gave us an insight into the specificity and uniqueness of Vietnamese culture and their agricultural legends. After, we split into groups and explored the night market, looking at the clothes, jewellery and bags. We ended the evening by walking through the bustling streets of Hanoi back to our hotel.

 

Ade: To the Scallywags at home, I miss you guys so much and can’t wait to see you in a few days. Lena, congrats on finishing school and Mum I’m so proud of you and Rob. Give my love to Merlin, love Adelyne xx

 

Allana: To Mumma, B, jack, Tyson, indie, Dad, Maddy / long (I hope) and the rest, I love and miss you all so much and overly prepared to hear the drama that’s been going on without me there ;). Love Layna xo