In July 31/7, five of my friends and me went to Australia. After eight hours flight, we had already arrived at Bribane, Australia.

          We went to Hill's International College. I met my buddy after a few days. In those few days, we went to Strawberry farm (the strawberry ice-cream and jam were nice), Mt. Tamborine (fresh air there), Opal Factory (the opal was beautiful).

          My buddy is Andrew Haynes. He is friendly. We also went to Movie World, Wildlife Sanetuary, night shopping, night bowling, Chocolate Factory, Honey World, Gold Coast Beach and Science Museum. Then we went to camp.

          I missed my Australian friends, Andrew Haynes, Jake, Nike and Demond. I missed Australia, my friends I knew in this trip and our teacher, Miss Chan.

Dominic (P.6C)
St. Joseph Anglo-Chinese Primary School

　　為期16日的澳洲遊學團已經過去，16日中無論是遊玩還是上堂都是充實和開心的。生活在一個全是英文的地方，學到英文是理所當然，因為每天晚上都會有一段時間坐在一起以英文談天，當中也學懂了一些澳洲用語。其實英文只是其次，最大得著是體會到當地生活方式，相比香港，那裡的生活節奏十分慢，因為這樣，有時實在不太習慣，如果當地人移民到香港，必定比我們更難適應。

　　澳洲人有一個很值得我們學習的地方，這就是健康的生活，平時在香港只會間中吃水果的我，在這16日中實行了一日一蘋果或香蕉，而且睡覺時間也由以往的深夜1時提早至10時多。

　　當我還未出發時，我以為遊學團與一般旅行團沒有多大分別，只是多了上課時間，但16日後，我發現了遊學團有很多旅行團得不到的東西，遊學團能令我真正體會那國家的生活和文化，和當地人我熱情，相反，回想起以往我去過的旅行團，真的只是為遊玩而遊玩和增加了一種我已經到此一遊的感覺，今次的澳洲遊確實令我眼光廣闊了，也讓我嘗試了多次的第一次，例如往天主教教堂，經過今次，我對去旅行的看法改變了，將來也必定再次探訪澳洲。

姚思恩 (中六)
匯知中學

          It is just a wonderful trip! I have experienced a lot! I have learnt a lot! I have made lots of good friends and we have exchanged our e-mail for further chatting. 

          The course itself is great. I believe I can improve a little bit my spoken and written English.

          Looking forward to the next trip!

Chan Hang Ping (F.4)
Heung To Secondary School (Tseung Kwan O)

          During this summer holiday, we joined a 16-day study tour to Brisbane, Australia, with forty students. In the trip, three of us learnt and experienced lots of valuable things. We went on excursions such as Gold Coast, Science Museum, Movie World and the Zoo. The students were extremely excited and interested in these activities. They enjoyed speaking and communicating in English with their buddies at Hill’s International College and the shopkeepers in the malls.

          The students also had experienced an unforgettable life in the camp. Their self-confidence was gradually built up through participating in some exciting and interesting activities, such as canoeing, rock climbing and setting camp fire. In fact, this trip was a valuable chance for them to learn cooperating and communicating with other people. 

          Lastly, although it was the first time that most of the students left their families and stayed abroad for more than a fortnight, they learnt how to be more considerate about other's feelings and to be more independent. What a wonderful trip it was!

Miss Yeung, Miss Lam & Miss Li 

Teachers of Pui Ching Primary School

          This summer holiday I joined a study tour to Brisbane with my schoolmates. This was the first time I went to Australia without my parents.

          I studied at Hill's International College. Everyone had a buddy and my buddy’s name was Michael. He was kind and polite. In the class, they were very free and it was different from Hong Kong. I had golf lessons, my tutor taught me how to play golf. I visited the Gold Coast Beach. The view was very beautiful and I bought lots of souvenirs for my family and friends. The most unforgettable day was I spent a day in Movie World. I saw many movie characters there. I could even take photos with Batman.

          I really wished I could visit Brisbane again because it was full of my happy memory, and I am also looking forward to going to another city in Australia.

馮君諾 (小六信班) 

Pui Ching Primary School

          I joined an overseas study tour with my classmates to Brisbane, Australia, this summer.

          This was the first time I went to Australia and traveled overseas without my family. However, I did not have any homesick, I enjoyed the whole trip very much. My school in Australia was Hill's International Collage, which was very big and beautiful. Sometimes, we even found some kangaroos jumping around the school. I attended classes with the local students. We were quite free in the classroom. Sometimes we have special activities. For example, we had a golf lesson together. My buddy was Caitlin. She was very nice and friendly. Her classmates were very kind, too. I made many friends there and enjoyed being with them. I also took this golden opportunity to practise English and to build up my confidence in speaking in English.

          Apart from taking classroom lessons, we also visited some famous places for sightseeing and entertainment, such as the Gold Coast, Movie World and the zoo. I had a wonderful day in Movie World with my classmates and I even rode on the roller-coaster seven times there ! I bought many souvenirs for my family and friends. I also took many photos in different places as well.

          During the last three days, we had fantastic outward bound camp in a campsite. We played different outdoor games there. For example, we were taught how to make bread. We also went canoeing and rock climbing. It was the first time I played those exciting activities. I enjoyed them all.

          After sixteen days tour, I learnt how to get along with others and take care of myself. I will never forget this English study tour and my happy time in Australia.

Liu Cheuk Yan (P.6)
Pui Ching Primary School

          On 23th July, 2007, 10 of our students left for Brisbane, Australia. All of them were exited, looking forward to their study tour which would last for two weeks. Sixteen days in Brisbane is really a memorable and fruitful experience. 

          During the stay in Brisbane, our students study with other students from different countries. They got along with each other very well. This offered an ideal chance of a cultural exchange. Some of our students still keep in touch with their buddies through email and MSN. Their teachers were very nice too. They enjoyed the interesting class activities, and discussions arranged by Kelly’s College very much. 

          Apart from studying at school, all the students were engaged in eye-opening excursions and sightseeing. They all participated actively in fascinating activities such as enjoying Aussie BBQ, hugging Koala Bear in Australia Zoo, going on thrilling rides at Movie World and walking along Gold Coast. They took many gorgeous pictures and bought a lot of souvenirs in different outlets. 

          With their homestay families, students were given plenty of chances to explore foreign culture and learn authentic English. They became a part of the Australian families during their stay. They shared meals with their host families and joined in other family activities. They were pleased with their warm host families. They have also learned to be considerate and independent. 

          Being a group teacher of this study tour, I realized that the trip had been meaningful to us all. We all gained a lot of valuable experience and enjoyed our time in Brisbane. 

Miss Mak Wai Fong
Teacher of Toi Shan Association College

          I joined a study tour to Brisbane this summer for 16 days. This was my first time visiting Brisbane. It is also the first time I traveled without my family.

          My exciting journey started there. When I arrived at Brisbane, I was so excited. The trip was wonderful. I studied in Balmoral State High School. The school is very big and the view is beautiful. My buddy was Amy. She was a clever girl and she was very friendly. I had many different lessons there. I enjoyed the art lesson most. It was so great. Also the Maths was very simple to me. We learnt all those items in F.3. 

          As for the excursions, I loved Australia Zoo and Movie World. They were amazing. I could touch kangaroos. I could see the crocodile shows. I took a lot of nice photos. It was exciting. 

          I was very pleased and fortunate that I lived in a nice and warm host family. My host mother, Irene, cooked well and I could have delicious meals every day in Australia. I could try some food, such as milk, casserole and etc. They really tasted good and they were healthy. I hope I can try them again. Irene was also a good teacher. Sometimes I didn’t understand what she told me. She explained things to me and took care of me patiently. I missed her very much. 

          I enjoyed the trip very much although I sometimes had home sick. I gained a lot. I learnt how to take care of myself and I had some improvement in my English. I know they are really vital to me. I will not forget my happy time in Australia. It was a good memory. 

Choi Kam Ting (4C)

Toi Shan Association College

          During the trip, we visited a spacious farm. First, we fed the horses, goats and donkeys. We also prepared lunches for the horses and thought that the lunches smelt good! Next we rode horses. The horse I rode was called “Zak” which was a Japanese name. Zak was very gentle and was not very tall. We travelled up and down the hill and went through a rainforest. It was very exciting. After finishing the lunch, we threw the horseshoes and boomerangs. Then we went fishing. I think fishing needs a lot of patience because I couldn’t catch any fish though I had waited for a long time! Finally, we walked through a rainforest. However, there were a lot of “traps”---the horse dung on the ground!

          I think the most unforgettable part of the farm visit was horse-riding as it is very exciting and it has been my first time to ride a horse.

          After the whole trip, I find my listening and oral skills have improved a lot. Now I can communicate with people in English fluently and hear people speaking English clearly. I enjoyed the trip to Australia very much because I have had lots of fun there.

Pansy Li Yuen Wai (F.1)
SKH Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School



          I had made a friend in Cairns State High School. She is my buddy whose name is Breanna Farrell. She is very kind and had taught me a lot of English. She always talked with me when we were together. I think she is beautiful!

          After these 21 days, I think I have improved my spoken English. Now I can talk quite fluently and understand what native speakers are talking about. Even if I don’t understand, I will be brave to ask them. Before the tour, I was very afraid of asking other people questions. But now, I can speak English with confidence.

Cooby Lee Wing Tung (F. 1)
Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School 

          I enjoyed the summer study tour to Brisbane. It was wonderful to travel with my classmates. Since it was the first time for me to travel abroad, I was very excited about the trip. 

          Australia is a beautiful country and the Australians are nice and pleasant, especially my buddy and my host family. Justin Martin, who was my buddy, is a wise and lively guy. Although he is only one year older than me, he is like my elder brother and was very kind to my friends and me. My host, Irene, is a gentle and amiable person. She acted as our ‘mother’ during our stay in Australia. They were all patient with me even when I made mistakes and had difficulty in expressing myself in English. I will not forget their warmth and kindness.

          My favourite outing of this tour was visiting the zoo. In spite of the bad weather, I enjoyed the visit very much. There were a lot of animals such as Koala bears and Wombats, which can only be found in Australia. Of course, I had not seen any of them before I visited Australia. We could take photos with some of the animals. I took some photos with the lovely kangaroos and it was fun.

          I have gained some knowledge during the trip. First, my English has been improved, particularly my spoken English. I have learnt how to be independent, such as how to take care of myself and spend my money wisely. Finally, I have made a lot of friends and I hope our friendship will last.

          I wish I could visit Australia again in the future and I am looking forward to joining more study tours. 

Ricky Lau Ho Chu (F.2)
St. Francis Xavier’s College

          I felt very good about this trip because AEL prepared the trip very well. I had some special experiences. In my host family, there was a Japanese student and she has studied in Brisbane for 3 months. I had learnt some simple Japanese from her but I forgot them when I came back to Hong Kong. Besides this, I also learnt how to ride on a horse. I could ride on it by myself. I felt very free.

          In my home stay, I could talk with the family members in English. They liked collecting coins, so I gave them all kinds of coins from Hong Kong. They also gave me some special Australian coins. I was surprised because I can find about 10 kinds of 50-cents-coin. I think Australia has many provinces and they use the same currency so they need to separate many kinds of coins.

          I wish I could join the trip again next year.

Ng Ka Cheong, Harry (F.1)
SKH Bishop Baker Secondary School

          There is no one but longs to go on a trip abroad. I am surely not an exception, so I participated in the 21-day-trip to Brisbane during this summer vacation. By joining the trip, my horizon is broadened and every thing could be interpreted by a totally new point of view. To make it simple, my life attitude is deeply influenced by Australian regimen when I am backed to Hong Kong.

          The trip was primarily formed by two parts. The first one was "Buddy Program" in Hills International School; another part was excursion and home stay life after school. In the school, everyone was assigned a same year Buddy, either a local or foreign student. (Like France, Malaysia and Spain etc.) We followed our own buddies all over the campus and had lessons together; mine was a Spain-Chinese-mixed pretty girl. Despite all these, Australian schools emphasizes on all-rounded development of each student, hence, there are a wider variety of lessons, such as Drama and golf lessons. In Australia, if you want to be a big shot, be good at sports is a prerequisite. Unlike Hong Kong's education system, academic results are comparably less important.

          By the way, Australian lifestyle also impressed me a lot. To start with, they lead a leisure and carefree life, always having tea and cakes. But the thing I appreciate the most is they put family at the first place. My host mum works at most two hours a day and three times per week, time left is all spent on family gathering. In contrast, Hong Kong is such a busy city that majority of us spot light on working, yet at the expense of family time. To escape from the hustle and bustle in Hong Kong, maybe we should learn from Australian, take a sip of read tea and lay back for a while!

Grace Yuen (F.4)

Jockey Club Ti-I College