Eighteen days ago we all boarded a plane together; many students did not know each other, some had travelled extensively, others less experienced. We were in many ways strangers together. Nervous excitement, apprehension at what lay ahead was palpable – for students and staff.
Eighteen days later, the bonds that have been forged, the friendships that have been made are all through the exciting daily adventures which we shared. Whether it was helping each other on the build, encouraging each other to go abseiling or even helping out with the intricacies of bargaining, your children were there for each other.
We have seen your young people grow: in independence, resilience, in community, in stepping outside their comfort zones and seeing how other people less privileged than them live their lives. Vietnam Red displayed energy, enthusiasm and a positive attitude which enabled them to get the optimum benefits from this journey. We are sure you will see confident, more independent young people, who can do hand washing too! It has been our privilege and pleasure to share the students travels with them.
The Vietnam Red staff: Mary, Coleen and Simon
Reflections from your young people:
Imogen : Being able to build a house in the Sampa village has allowed me to appreciate my own house and belongings. I know now that inaminate objects aren’t that important and that family and love have greater value.
Lucas:During this trip I gained lots of knowledge and confidence. The trip made me realise that you don’t need money to be happy but surrounded by caring people. I found this by the support and help that families gave each other when we built the house.
Elli: I was taken out of my comfort zone and gained plenty of knowledge on Vietnam.
Owen: coming to Vietnam has exposed me to a new way of life, and a completely different world. I’ve made new friendships and strengthened old ones.
Christian: Despite feeling out of luck all the time I’ve found I have no luck in the things people from this country only dream of. I would not do it again, but I will definitely think of this trip over time.
Mathieu: I feel through the trip I’ve been able to see that despite us all living very different lives we all have the same basic human values and ideals. To be happy and to live surrounded by people who inspire us. This experience has opened my eyes and has made me grow as a person.
Julian: I discovered that happiness is a universal language overcoming all barriers such as different languages or cultures. It is not ones possessions or wealth that lead to happiness, merely people’s outlook on life.
Matt G: Travelling to Vietnam made me thankful for everything I have. I now know there are a lot of people who are not as privileged as I am and it has changed me as a person.
Linus : on this trip I learned a lot of important things, the two most important things were : we should be thankful for what I have, my education and 2: money is not as much worth as people think and that many people are happy without money.
Ned: I was able to see people with a less fortunate life and benefit them, I experienced another country and got a cool ring.
Sam C: during the trip I’ve come to appreciate my own happiness more as I see how happy the people in Vietnam are who have much less.
Ben : this trip has opened up my eyes to both everything I have and how lucky I am as well as the many things I don’t need to be happy.
Moritz: Vietnam has opened my eyes towards the diversity of different countries as well as their living conditions. The trip has encouraged my love of travelling and has given me a greater sense of independence.
Josh: Out of the many things that I have gained throughout the trip I believe that the most valuable thing that I have learned would be my sense of my and others place in the world, and how lucky I am and of how others deal with the flip side of problems. They live on often $2 a day, but they still have much more joy than we have in Australia.
Marlo: I can’t believe how incredibly different Vietnam is to Australia. As my first overseas travelling experience I was very nervous about being in a totally unfamiliar place. I found though that not knowing your surroundings is not necessarily a bad thing. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to partake in the Big Experience
.
Izzy: I have learnt a lot about the people, culture and history of Vietnam. I feel I can appreciate and learn from the way people live here and I am much more grateful for what I have.
Sam B: the best experience is one that changes you forever.
Charlotte: The Big Experience has inspired me to help the lives of people around me and branch out into the community. This trip made me appreciate what I have and made me realise that’s it is the simple things in life that truly counts.
Steven: Really helps put life in perspective and value the things we have.
Sam P.: During my time in the Big Experience I have learnt to be more independent and have also learned that I can relate to my peers more.
Lachie: When we told how undermanned the staff at the orphanage I was not expecting it to be as it was and it makes you feel grateful for what you have.
Aaris: I was exposed to what the real conditions of a remote village were and how privileged I am to access to basic shelter, fresh water and food that the village at times lacked.
Kurtis: I was shown the world outside my own and was exposed to things that I never knew existed.
Emil: I feel that this experience has not only broadened my knowledge of Vietnam, but it has helped me learn more about others. I have seen so much that it has improved me as a person. Best trip ever.
Marko: From being in Vietnam I have gained so much experience and have found my mind opened to the outer world. I am more appreciative of what I have and think I am more independent as I have never gone overseas without my family before.
Jemima: The Big Experience has taught me that being outside my comfort zone is good every once in a while, and it often leads to great memories.
Ruby: the Big Experience has taken me out of my comfort zone and taught me to reflect and think about the lives of others.
Simon A: On this trip I have learned more about people around me and the Vietnamese people than I thought I would. This trip has helped me understand how other people have to live and how they value and live life. I have also learned to appreciate the things I have and learned not to rely on the things that I have back home.
We were lucky enough to walk the streets of Hanoi with a local himself (our tour guide Hoang) and see a different side of the city. We walked to a nearby lake where an American B52 that had been shot down was still visible in the lake.
We saw Hoang’s mother’s street-side restaurant and he kindly invited us to see his house. Even though it was a simply household he was very happy with his life and it reminded us of how lucky we actually are. Feeling very hungry we enjoyed lunch nearby and many people remarked on how good the hands on rice paper rolls were. We then set off to the Australian Embassy and enjoyed hearing other Australian voices after being in Vietnam for 16 days. We learnt about the many different ways Australia provides support to Vietnam. The statistics that were presented to us were very confronting. With Australia’s help poverty has decreased and since 2010 Vietnam is now considered a medium class country in terms of support needed. However, there are still 36 million people here living on less than two dollars per day. Australia has helped build a major bridge to connect the two major islands down in the Mekong Delta. This allows easy access to two major parts of South Vietnam and they are now discussing building another bridge due to commence in 2017. 
After completing our embassy visit, we were given time to do some last minute shopping to spend the remainder of what we had left in our pockets and enjoy our last dinner in Vietnam. To finish the night we belted it out in a karaoke bar and sang some classics like dancing queen.
We award best singers to Patty and Nick for their incredible rendition of Katy Perry’s E.T. We also presented Hoang with a token of our love, a ukulele, and he touched our hearts with a heart-warming goodbye speech. Over all we really enjoyed our last day together but can’t wait to be greeted by our families in Melbourne. 
