New experiences, new perspectives and new friendships.
Our visiting China Student Exchange Program students recently shared in life at Salesian College Chadstone, learning alongside our students, practising their English and experiencing Australian school life.
Along the way, genuine connections were formed. For Hanqing and his learning buddy Jack, what began as a school partnership grew into a wonderful friendship.
As our visiting students returned home, they took with them new confidence, special memories and friendships that reached well beyond the classroom.
We loved having them as part of our Salesian College Chadstone community.
Hanqing and Jack share their reflections on their time together and the friendship they formed through the program.
My school experience at Salesian College has now come to an end, and I have returned to China. I feel a little sad because I miss my teachers, classmates and the school. When I first came to Salesian, I was a little nervous because everything was new to me. My English was not very good, so sometimes it was hard for me to understand what the teachers and other students were saying.
After some time, I slowly got used to the school. I made some new friends and learned many new things in class. I also learned that schools in different countries can be very different. I really enjoyed spending time with my classmates and taking part in different activities.
This experience was very special to me. It helped me become more confident and improve my English. I am very thankful to my teachers and classmates for helping me during my time at Salesian. I will always remember this experience and the people I met. I hope I can come back to Australia again one day.
Hanqing Chen 7E
Hanqing and I met knowing that we would be learning buddies. At first, I thought Hanqing might need more assistance with his schoolwork in Australia and I also thought that his English wasn’t very strong. However, as I got to know Hanqing better, I realised that he was very confident with his work and understood his teachers and classmates well. He got along not only with me but also with the other people who sat around us. Sometimes at lunchtime he even spent time with my friends who I walked and talked with during recess and lunch.
Hanqing and I got along very well. For example, when we were at junior sport we would meet up and walk together. If we were lucky we would even play sport together. When it was time for Hanqing to leave, I felt sad because I remembered the fun moments we had shared and the wonderful friendship we had developed.
I was sad to see Hanqing leave, but I wish him all the best back home in China.
Jack Collins 7E
