By Jackie Abesamis
The Woodrose Cultural Exchange & Leadership Program with Tangara School for Girls in Sydney, Australia was a very special and memorable experience for me, as it was my first time travelling to another country without my parents. While I was excited to learn all about the lifestyle and culture of Australia, I also felt apprehensive at the thought of living with people that I barely knew. However, after meeting my host family, the Bookallils, I realized that there was no reason to be afraid because they welcomed me into their home with open arms. While living with them, I experienced what it is like to have every kind of sibling – older brother, older sister, younger brother, and younger sister. Back home, I only have two siblings so I am not used to living with a big family. Nevertheless, I was able to adapt to my new home with the help of my host mom and sister, who always made sure that I was comfortable and happy. For instance, my host mom was kind enough to make ham sandwiches for me everyday for school. My host sister also kept me busy by bringing me to the different sites in Sydney, such as the Blue Mountains, Manly Beach, and Darling Harbor. On weekends, the Bookalils kept me entertained by taking me to watch them play soccer, netball, and rugby, all of which are popular sports in Australia. Then on the weekdays, I went to Tangara School for Girls, where my host sisters go to school.
Other than living with a big family, another new experience for me was going to school during the winter season. We went to Sydney in late June, so we experienced temperatures as cold as 5 degrees in the morning and 15 degrees in the afternoon. Every morning, my host sisters, host brother, and I shivered as we stood in the freezing morning air while waiting for the school bus to arrive. With my usual Woodrose plaid uniform, I had to wear leggings and thick jackets to keep me warm. Despite the unfamiliar cold weather, I really enjoyed sitting in the classes in Tangara because the students always made us feel welcomed during their activities. We played Australian Football during Sports class, watched a war movie during their French class, and even helped them with their project for Geography class. The students of Tangara were also very interested in Filipino culture. They said that they really enjoyed our cultural showcase of Filipino dances and songs. They often asked us to teach them Filipino words and slang. We even played Filipino games, such as luksong tinik, during our lunch break. Aside from sitting in the classes in Tangara, my fellow exchange students and I also got to visit the Sydney Opera House and Paddy’s Market together. Additionally, we went to the Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural and Educational Center where we learned about how the aboriginal people create art, grow plants for medicine, and use boomerangs for hunting.
After spending two weeks in Australia, I learned a lot about myself and how to manage independently. I used to be uncomfortable when interacting with strangers in unfamiliar environments. However, I found that stepping outside of my comfort zone and reaching out to others is very rewarding and worthwhile. Throughout the trip, I made so many interesting and kind friends who I will never forget. Being a part of the exchange program also taught me how to use my money wisely and adapt to new environments. I got so used to the cold mornings, ham sandwiches, and bus rides that I couldn’t believe two weeks had already passed by the end of the trip. The countless memories I made with both my friends from Woodrose and newfound Australian friends and family turned this exchange program into a once-in-a-lifetime experience, making it very difficult for me to say goodbye. I will never forget my experiences and I hope I can return to Sydney one day.