A group of Chinese language students spent school holidays on tour in China. Daniel Bordina (10/ME) shares his experiences below.

Travelling overseas is always a challenge, no matter the period or location. Whether it be jetlag, language, food, or developing new relationships.

Travelling with family or by yourself is an adventure on its own but travelling with your peers and teachers provides you with knowledge and experience that you will treasure for years to come. Through every high and every low you will experience it and persevere alongside your peers and teachers.

Unfortunately, the 2018 China Tour began with quite a sizeable low.

20 bleary-eyed boys and three equally tired teachers arrived at Sydney airport at 6:30 AM, some travelling close to an hour to the airport. After the round of farewells and compulsory group photos, the boys flowed through the check-in and customs process with ease.

It all seemed to be progressing well until we were hit with the first of three delays that would have us stranded in Sydney airport for 12 hours. The boys handled this unfortunate circumstance with great maturity and at 6:30 PM we were in the air, headed for Shanghai.

We arrived safely in Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport at 2:30 AM local time (4:30 AM AEST) and then endured another hour of getting through customs and collecting baggage. All in all, a tough trip for the whole group.

Perseverance is not something you are born with. It is a skill you develop and master. Determination is central to Chinese culture and has been displayed on many occasions during their illustrious history.

This unfortunate circumstance provided us with the determination and discipline to get the most out of the trip as we knew that it would be challenging. Although the tour was during the school holidays, it was not a vacation. While normally during school holidays students would be recovering from the term before and enjoying their free time, we were on a tight schedule, from sunrise to sunset. This trip tested us both physically and mentally for the duration.

Physically we were challenged every single day we were on the trip. Early morning wake up calls were not uncommon and late nights exploring were an integral part of our education. The late-night river cruise along the Bund in Shanghai provided us with stunning views of the Shanghai skyline. Whilst visiting the Temple of Heaven, the group participated in the morning exercises alongside the locals. From climbing the Great Wall to consecutive days of walking 20+ km seeing the Terracotta Warriors and the Forbidden City, it was no wonder that when we got on the buses many boys would fall asleep. The Panda Sanctuary in Chengdu was a great experience for many boys while, up until the last day of the tour, we were still experiencing China by exploring the traditional section of Hutong in Beijing. Our rickshaw drivers were challenged in cycling us around the area.

Mentally, the use and expansion of the language tested our mental endurance throughout the trip. Our mental capacity was especially challenged using tones in the Chinese language. The use of the wrong tone can result in confusing yet sometimes amusing outcomes. Many times, over the trip the use of our language was tested, but most of all during our visit to RAFZ BDA Experimental School Beijing China. It was there that the language barrier was truly significant. At the school, we participated in a wide range of activities, including taekwondo, paper cutting, calligraphy and even a basketball match. We were treated to a delicious lunch and given handmade gifts made by the students.  Looking forward to the future, a possible opportunity to go on exchange to the school will provide an extra level of education for Chinese students.

The fact is that we could not have completed this trip without the support of each other and our teachers. Ms Wang, Mr Bennett and Ms Gonzalez were integral in our enjoyment and education throughout the trip. Having a group of your peers around you when you travel gives you a new sense of energy and perseverance. Travelling with your peers is the best way to discover new aspects of your own character and influence other people along the way. With every experience that challenges you, it increases your tolerance and ability to overcome adversity and although it was a difficult adventure at times, it was worthwhile to expand our knowledge of the Chinese language.

Travelling in China made me realise how little of the language and culture I really know and how much I want to expand my knowledge of China and improve my language skills. A truly memorable trip that I recommend to all Chinese students.

Here is what other students on the tour had to say…

While the tour began with setbacks, we persisted with the intention of finishing the tour having made the most out of every opportunity, even after a nine-and-a-half hour delay on day one. “Making the most out of every opportunity” was my mantra at least, and I think that myself, as well as most of the boys on the tour, took it up and fulfilled it. Dhruv Kumar (10/JN)

The China tour not only provided me with the opportunity to practise and improve my Mandarin speaking skills but also to learn more about the culture. Although there were many great experiences throughout the China tour, the most memorable experience was participating in a chemistry class at a local Beijing middle school. Liam Pidcock (11/MA)

Travelling to China with some good friends is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was great being able to spend time in a foreign place and experiencing the culture alongside some mates. An added bonus was the freedom to go out of the hotel and not to be treated like little kids. Harry Garofani (10/MA)