Written by South Pacific Overseas Educator, Forrest
On September 20th, thirteen strangers got on a plane with the intent of making their way to Cairns, Australia. After a 15 hour flight the group decided they liked Sydney so much that they’d stay there a little while. We spent two days in Sydney napping away jetlag, exploring Bondi Beach, playing games, and posing in front of the Sydney Opera House. We bonded as a group and even added a 14th member to our little family. Leslie (pictured below) is a native of Sydney, they are a meerkat posing in the skin of a koala.
After 2 fabulous unplanned days in Sydney we made our way to SheOak Ridge. Our hosts Claire and Marcus are two conservationists who have spent the last 20 odd years rewilding 165 acres of rainforest and bushland. Our group was lucky enough to have orientation here. The week has been filled with games, rainforest camping, manual labor, and wildlife encounters.
What have been the three highlights of the week?
🏠 The group has swarmed Claire and Marcus’s house every evening to interact with the wallabies Claire has been rehabilitating. Group members sit on Claire’s porch while the agile & pademelon wallabies curiously come up for food. One rambunctious wallaby (River) will even come up and sit in our students’ laps.
👯 The group getting to know one another. Soumya and Forrest have been so impressed with how fast everyone in the group has integrated with one another. It’s the beginning of week 2, but it feels like week 4.
🎶 Despite the stress of missing a flight the group was so thrilled to make a surprise stop in Sydney. Seeing the Sydney Opera House was a particular highlight for everyone in the group.
Growth comes with challenge – what are some of the challenges you’re overcoming this week?
The missed flight and jetlag were challenges for the group this week. Missing a flight is no fun for anyone but everyone was so patient with the plan scramble and really made the best of the situation. These challenges really helped everyone bond super quickly. Naps and high energy tasks really helped with the jetlag.
How is the group bonding together?
The group dynamic is absolutely crazy in a beautiful way. Everyone is so high energy and there are so many dynamic relationships developing. Forrest and Soumya are so impressed at how well the group entertains themselves. Any time the OEs turn their backs, the group will start some game or activity on their own. Group members wake up early and are always struggling to go to bed because they are so excited to be with each other.
Note from HQ: We’re eagerly awaiting more photos and videos from this group as they return to wifi access. More to come!