A Journey of Service, Culture & Meaningful Connections

Recently, Student Educational Experiences (SEE) had the privilege of hosting a school from Queensland, Australia, on a deeply transformative journey through Vietnam. For over a decade, SEE has had the privilege of hosting St. Joseph’s Banora Point, during which time we have witnessed the remarkable growth of a culture of charity and selflessness within the school community.

This year, the students embarked on a trip to a remote province in the Mekong Delta, visiting a remote community that greatly benefited from the school’s support. The experience was grounded in a sense of respect and a shared understanding that change is built on collaboration, not charity alone. Accordingly, students and teachers worked alongside the local community, contributing their efforts in a way that went beyond just physical labour, creating lasting, transformative connections.

Owing to the school’s long-standing culture of service in Vietnam, students were invited to spend a day interacting with their peers at a local school for visually impaired students. This day of exchange allowed both groups of students to connect, playing football, enjoying a cooking class, and participating in several other activities together. The event was thoughtfully planned in close collaboration with the local government ministry overseeing education in Ho Chi Minh City, to create an opportunity to benefit local students, who have limited opportunities to engage with foreign visitors. It was an enriching experience for all involved, and we are grateful for the warm reception. The students are always welcome back.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to the teachers and students, and staff at St Joseph’s who made this experience so meaningful. It’s always inspiring to witness young people stepping into the world with open hearts, eager to learn, connect, and work with their foreign contemporaries together toward a common goal.