A blue eagle spreads his wings…in Australia

Recent Ateneo de Manila Grade School graduate Rafa Alfonso (6-Claver in SY 2023-2024) was in Australia from 15-20 June 2024 for the Australia Cultural Immersion Program (ACIP). In this piece, he writes about how his initial anxiety turned into excitement, and what amazed and astonished him in Sydney and Canberra.

This is the third of four student-authored reflections about the enriching trip.

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The Australian Cultural Immersion (ACI) was my very first time being away from my family, and naturally I was anxious and worried about what would happen as soon as I left the Philippines. I was like a fledging eaglet, unsure of myself and slowly trying to spread my wings as I learned how to fly and survive on my own. Although I was fearful, I found solace and comfort by talking with my fellow blue eagles, my newfound friends, whom I was journeying with.

After the plane landed in Australia and we started exploring Sydney’s famous places, my worries turned to excitement. On our first day, we went to many different sites during the city tour, my favorite of which was St. Mary’s Cathedral, with its vibrant, colorful stained-glass and its beautiful altar. It is a cherished memory that filled me with gratitude for God’s love, and I thanked Him for the amazing opportunity He blessed me with to visit this cathedral and a new country. 

On day two, we visited St. Aloysius Gonzaga College, an all-boys Jesuit school like Ateneo in Sydney. We engaged in various classes that day like Music and PE. I noticed differences though, like their playing a native instrument called a didgeridoo which sounded like different animals. And for PE, instead of playing basketball and football (like us), they played cricket and rugby. But despite the differences, we share many similarities, such as our shared dedication to be men-for-others. And this showed in how warmly they welcomed us and treated us during our stay. It was as if we were longtime friends and brothers.

On the third day, we went to Sydney Zoo and the Blue Mountains. Throughout the day we saw many different ecosystems with an array of animals and plants. We saw cute emus, koalas, capybaras and kangaroos. The journey to the top of the Blue Mountains via a scenic railway was astonishing as it allowed us to see how beautiful the vast surroundings are. It was truly God’s way of showing us how marvelous His creations are.

Finally, on the fourth day we went to Canberra, Australia’s capital city. We saw many different buildings and memorials important to the Australians and their history. When I saw the War Memorial, I was astonished and amazed at the bravery of Australians and the sacrifices they have made for their country and the world. We then went to the Parliament building, where we were immersed in an informative and fun discussion on how Australia’s government works and operates. We even got to learn how laws are passed through the two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Maybe the “no homework” policy proposed by our tour guide will become a law one day! The idea certainly won by a landslide when we Ateneans voted during our mock election. Going to Canberra helped me understand how policies and laws are created in Australia and how similar these are to the procedures followed in the Philippines. 

Joining this cultural immersion program has been an unforgettable experience and a wonderful way to end my Ateneo Grade School journey. Going to a place I have never been to helped me go beyond my comfort zone, teaching me lessons about being away from my family and being more independent. Thanks to all the organizers (Sir Jervy, Mrs. Llanera, Mr. Cornejo, Nurse Mera and the rest of the team) who guided me throughout this trip and helped me spread my wings. And thank you to my fellow blue eagles whose friendship helped me overcome my fears. Their support helped me be more confident to soar and fly high.