By XAVIER SMERDON
EIGHT Hoppers Crossing students and two of their teachers have returned from the trip of a lifetime, bringing back much more than just souvenirs.
Four year 12 students from Hoppers crossing Secondary College, Anthony Di Iorio, Katie Cunningham, Marco Planella and Rani Black Merta along with four year 11 students, Jasmine Balla, Bathany Holmes, Toby Armour, and Olivia Hudson, spent three weeks in Costa Mesa California.
They were visiting their sister school, Estancia High, in what has become an annual exchange program over the last eight years.
The trip is designed to allow students to experience the day to day life of a student from another country and to also to encourage personal growth.
And while most people return from overseas trips with token souvenirs, the students from Wyndham brought back things that money cannot buy.
“I feel I have a greater sense of independence and belief in myself and a determination to strive to reach my full potential in all that I wish to achieve,” Jasmine Balla said.
“My confidence has grown, allowing me to talk more freely in group environments. I’m no longer as shy as before going on this journey,” Rani Blick Merta added.
Their teacher, Kim Firkin, also said the trip had challenged the student’s previous views of the USA.
“The delegation found the typical stereotype of what you see on TV about California is not always true but the iconic attractions really do live up to the images we see here in Australia,” Ms Firkin said.
“A surprising but great find is the school spirit found at Estancia High. The love they have of their school and the dedication the Estancia students have towards their studies is inspiring.”
Students from Estancia High will arrive in Wyndham towards the end of July, staying for three weeks.
