AJHS "study tourists" make core memories in Australia

The Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (AJHS) conducts annual Global Study Tours to provide its students the opportunity to travel abroad and broaden their knowledge of the global community.  

This year, two groups of student delegates from AJHS joined the 2024 Oceania tour, with one group visiting Australia from June 8-21, and another group visiting New Zealand from June 1-17. The Ateneans experienced the rich cultures of these two nations through immersive activities centered on academics, culture, environment, and leadership. They were accompanied by AJHS faculty chaperones who guided them throughout their journey, and cared for by foster families and “school buddies” who warmly accommodated them throughout their stay. Through this intensive program, student delegates were challenged to step out of their comfort zones and develop essential life skills.

What follows are the replies of a few AJHS boys to the question, “What was your most memorable experience in Australia?” They are written by the Ateneans who went to Burpengary State Secondary College (Group 3). The sections indicated in parentheses are the students’ sections from School Year 2023-2024. 

Hugo Ducusin (10-Pignatelli): "This year’s study tour in Australia served as my first experience as an international exchange student. Although our group embarked on various excursions around Queensland, my interactions with the locals of the Caboolture area were definitely the highlight of my trip. Both being Filipino, my student buddy Xianna and I got along well quickly, making her a great 'tour guide' for the school. My foster parents also proved to be extremely hospitable and amiable, which helped me adapt to the new environment. Overall, I don’t think I will ever forget this trip!”  

Anjelo Marcia (10-Nagashima): “This study tour was an opportunity for me to learn more about Australia, and quite counterintuitively, more about my home too. Their wildly differing culture made me see new horizons, and with my newfound knowledge, I got to appreciate our culture more. I was able to see why some of our basic normalities were unique, and why it’s so fundamental for us to have them. And yet, I also see why another culture could thrive without them. My favorite part of this experience was being with my host family. They offered stability in a sea of activities, provided intrinsic knowledge about locals, and were an essential part of finding my sense of belonging in a foreign land. With each adventure ending in the same place, I can confidently say that I had a home in Australia.”

Ian Kyle Angeles (10-Spinola): “I learned many interesting things about Australia's culture and people. My favorite part of the trip was the zoo. I appreciate my homestay mum and buddies for being hospitable and friendly, and they made my stay in Australia much better!” 

David Jaranilla (10-Southwell): “The study tour has exposed me to a world of cultural diversity where, even though everything was quite foreign to me, I still felt welcome there. I especially liked that the Filipinos who live there are able to meaningfully connect with their heritage and language, and that the native peoples whose land we stood on during the trip were highly respected by the people there.”

Liam Daga (10-Saito): “My time in Caboolture, Australia, was a great two weeks. At first, I was terrified, but eventually my expectations were positively subverted as the days passed, and I came to really love the place, the culture, and the history lessons I picked up. I am especially grateful for the people I had the privilege to connect with who were genuinely kind, understanding, and unique people who were proud to be who they were, and more than happy to include us and share time with us despite our differences.”

Inigo Anduiza (10-Saito): "G'day mate! A land rich in nature, culture and history…that's Australia! The study tour opened my eyes and allowed me to see, feel, and know the lifestyle of Australians through the experience of school life, living with a foster family and visiting some notable places in Queensland. Through this trip, I was able to make new connections with others that made my two-week stay in Australia memorable." 

Mikee Flores (9-Mangin): I found the study tour insightful and eye-opening. Through living with my homestay family, I was given the opportunity to experience firsthand the life of an Australian family. They welcomed us with open arms, and even took me and two of my fellow Ateneans to see the Glass House Mountains over the weekend. Overall, I had a lot of fun on this trip, and I hope I can use my new experiences from it to improve as a person.

Nouie Sanvictores (10-Realino): "I can only describe the study tour as being 'one of a kind.' From the culture and customs of Australia’s people to experiences with the friends we made, it was a truly unique experience which I am sure everyone in the group has learned a lot from. One of the many memories that I fondly remember is when my foster siblings, my homestay parents and I went to a bird park with a lovely view of one of Brisbane’s landmarks, the Glass House Mountains (pictured below), which were said to be made from the frozen lava of once-active volcanoes. All in all, this trip is immensely memorable and something that I will treasure for years to come." 

Skye Pecjo (10-Nelson): "Experiencing the distinct aspects of the land down under has been nothing short of eye-opening and fantastic. Being able to encounter new cultures and meet new people in a way I have never experienced before is a core memory I will continue to cherish forever. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey in Australia… all the teachers, newfound friends, and family!" 

Romar Sawali (10-Pires): "During our last night in Australia, my group rode a ferry going roundabout the city center of Brisbane. On the way back, I realized I lost my wallet. There was so much money in there and I panicked. Eventually, when we asked the people managing the ferries, they determined that my wallet was on another boat. So I had to wait in another station for 30 minutes with Sir Punch, Jigs and Nouie. After that, it was such a relief that I did not lose my wallet, thanks to the astounding and understanding people of Australia.  

"Going to the Tallebudgera Beach was another memorable part of this unforgettable trip. We played team games that tested our leadership and communication skills with each member of our group. We also joined an escape room that was fun for most of us but kind of irritating and annoying for me and Luna. There was this puzzle (seen in the photo below) that we could not solve since we had to find the minimum number of moves that were needed to tangle the ropes to make each figure. As you can see in the photo, we really disliked this puzzle. Eventually, the rest of the group unlocked the chest that had all of our sentimental values. Overall, the experience in Australia was unforgettable as I made new friends and experienced a whole new perspective of living for two weeks. I might go back to Australia this time kasama na ang aking pamilya HAHAHAHA. Anyway, this study tour was nothing short of a new core memory. I also thank the new friends I made along this journey and the guidance of the teachers.

Joshua Tan (10-Nelson): "I gained lots of new insights and stories from our study tour in Australia, but the one that was most unexpected for me was my experience with fellow Ateneans who were with me on the trip. While I was mentally preparing myself for the tour, all I really thought about were worries related to the Australian side of things: befriending people from the school, taking in as many sights as possible, all that kind of stuff. One thing I hadn't really paid much mind to was the question, 'How am I going to vibe with the study group as a whole?' Well, from going to the beach to the zoo, and even just spending time in our classroom in school, the study tour gave us more opportunities than I was expecting to spend time with one another, and I'm both proud and grateful enough to say that we spent it well. Being competitive in beach games, escaping an escape room, going on a night ferry, feeding kangaroos… several core memories were birthed from my experience in Australia, and most of them happened with this incredible bunch by my side. I arrived in the Brisbane airport knowing exactly two people in this group, and I departed from there knowing 17."