Regional Exchange – Stories from Tasmania and Adelaide

During my two-week exchange to Launceston, Tasmania, my host family showed me the beautiful Tasmanian landscape, from walking high among the trees at Treetops to going on guided cave tours. We also spent time at Coles Bay, surrounded by stunning coastal scenery with lots of new friends. I stayed on a farm, and it was exciting to light a bonfire, bottle-feed lambs every day and ride through paddocks on the back of an old ute. Although I sometimes felt homesick, the kindness of my host family and the new close friends I made helped me settle in. It was an unforgettable trip full of challenges, exciting moments and new perspectives, friends and memories.
– Nella Duncan (Year 8)

In Week 2 and Week 3 this term, I had the privilege of going on exchange to Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston, Tasmania. During my experience, I enjoyed having the opportunity to gain an insight into other people’s lives, even for a short period of time. Some of the main differences I noted include the co-educational environment, the starting time of the school, and the different Year 8 electives. The highlight of my time was going to Hobart, kayaking the Tamar River, visiting the Gorge, the Evendale Markets, and spending time together. Although we had plenty in common, I quickly realised how different our cities were to each other. Whilst everyone in Sydney was stuck in 39-degree weather, I was freezing with temperatures only reaching 14 degrees on some days. I was lucky to be able to have such an amazing experience in Launceston, and to strengthen our powerful friendship. This was an experience to remember, and I hope to see Maeve again soon.

– Leela Das (Year 8)

My exchange experience in Tasmania was so fun and enjoyable. In the two weeks of being there, I visited places such as the Cataract Gorge, Hobart, markets, the Deloraine craft fair, Lilydale Falls, and we did treetops in Hollybank. It was so cool to experience a new school and meet so many new people. One of my highlights from being away in Tasmania was having my first bonfire with Nella, Bella (Nella’s exchange partner) and her friends. It was also very exciting to visit Launceston as I’ve never been there before, so it was nice to experience something new.

– Scarlett O’Connell (Year 8)

For two weeks, I travelled to Adelaide for an exchange, with the Wilderness School. Although there were many similarities between the two schools, Wilderness was much smaller and with a completely different schedule than MLC School. For the first time ever I could wake up at 7.15am and still make it to school on time!! Despite this, I still ended each day tired, but excited for the next one. We did so many fun activities like the Adelaide Oval roof climb, where we learnt so much about Adelaide and got the best view of the city. Even though leaning out and off the edge was scary, it was such a memorable experience and was one of the coolest things I’ve done. In the middle weekend, we went to a farm retreat in the Adelaide Hills, with cows, sheep, foals, and even piglets!! The weekend (plus Monday…) that we spent there was so fun and relaxing. Throughout the whole experience I got to meet so many interesting people, even one that asked me why my accent was different, even though it is well known that Adelaide accents are often the ones that are different. It was so fun and exciting, and I hope that I will be able to see them all again, maybe next year!

– Camille Sheehan (Year 8)

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