Unlikely Roommates

Rishad and Ryan’s backgrounds could not be more different.  Rishad is from Horn Island with a population of 540, Ryan is from Hong Kong, population of 7.4 million.  The opportunities at Shore has brought these boys together.  Here both boys interview each other to learn more about the background and experiences.

Ryan’s Perspective of Rishad Cook-Sabatino

Rishad has been in Shore since Year 7, and he has been a valuable and prominent basketball and rugby player for Shore.  Rishad is from the Torres Strait Islands, a beautiful group of islands off the coast of Cape York Queensland. Throughout his time at Shore, he has made many friends, and this is mainly due to the friendliness of the Shore students.  During his time as a boarder, he has not faced any problems at all, but this is only because of how the Shore boarding community has been treating him, with open arms.

Ryan’s Questions to Rishad

Have you experienced any difficulties regarding school life?

No, I haven’t experience any difficulties for school.

Why did you come to Shore?

I applied for an indigenous scholarship and was able to choose up to three schools.  I chose three schools in Queensland but the scholarship couldn’t put me in those schools so they asked my parents if I wanted to come to Shore and my parents said yes.

How have the students been treating you?

When I came to Shore because I played basketball I made a lot of friends from older years who play basketball, they made me feel welcome.  It took me awhile to talk to the rest of the boys in my dorm but I ended up making friends with all of them and them treated me like a brother.

Rishad’s Perspective of Ryan Wong

Ryan is from Hong Kong, and he is a new student to this school, and so he has only recently joined the Hodges community.  Ryan has been enjoying every second of it.  With new friends and opportunities, Ryan feels as though he is really welcomed because of the friendliness coming from all the students he has met so far.

Rishad’s Question to Ryan

Why did you come to school in Australia?

I wanted to try learning overseas and Shore seemed to be an outstanding school because of its all-roundedness.

Have you experienced Homesickness?

Not yet so far.

How often do you speak to your family?

Not very often, there is so much to do.

How have the students been treating you?

They have been very nice.

By Rishad Cook-Sabatino (9HS) and Ryan Wong (9HS)