JGSS Students Immersion at Loyola College
Provincia Filippine - Australia - Saipan - Taiwan
Inserita il: 05/11/2017
5 commentario(i) ...
September 2017. The eleven JGSS-Jesus Good Shepherd School delegates: Seven students, two teachers: Miss Wency Provido and Miss Riffy Medalla; a parent representative: Mr Ronilo Ylagan and Sr Nelia Llanto SJBP were blessed to be chosen for the pioneering JGSS-Loyola College immersion in Melbourne, Australia.
The purpose of the immersion was to provide the students with the opportunity to learn about Australia and in turn, be able to share the learnings with their fellow students and the whole school community. The dream was realized back in 2014 with the ocular visitation in the Philippines by Mr Joseph Favrin (Loyola College Principal) joined by two staff members. In 2016, ten Loyola students and three staff experienced the immersion in the Philippines. This year 2017, the JGSS delegates had the privilege to visit Loyola College. The three consecutive years of exchange will continue hopefully to enhance connection and strengthen the ties already established.
Life is not always full of rainbows and butterflies, like a roller coaster, the team experienced ups and downs from the preparation to the actual immersion. They spent months preparing mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
September 9 was scheduled as the departure date. Everyone arrived early at the airport and everything was all set, when the team discovered that minors travelling are required to provide a blue card from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Everyone’s color suddenly changed! Only five people were allowed to fly while the other six were left at the airport and since the next available flight was two days later, everyone had no choice but to pray and wait.
However, as it turned out, everything that happened was a blessing in disguise. The original ten-day stay was extended for a further five days. There were other little mishaps experienced by the team during the immersion but since every cloud has a silver lining, they became part of the meaningful experience for everyone.
The delegates learned so much about Australia, its people, culture, language, education and history. Through the 15 days (18 days for some) sojourn, they were able to experience what it is like to live in a foreign country and do what Australians do. They visited many places around Melbourne such as the Healsville Sanctuary, the Gold Mines in Ballarat, the Eureka Tower as the tallest building in Melbourne, Phillip Island and many other places.
The Shepherdines also attended the normal classes with their buddies, participated in special sessions, reached out and ministered to the children of Concord School, visited the Ozanam Community Centre, an agency that caters for the needs of homeless men, and brought them food that they cooked with the VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) Hospitality students of Loyola. They also performed Philippine dances for: the refugees in Sunshine, the Filipino community and the students of Loyola College during the full school Assembly.
Loyola families fostered the students for ten days and Filipino families for the last five days. The generous and kind efforts of Loyola Staff and host families made all these activities possible and ever cherished in their hearts. The meaningful and worthwhile experiences that broadened their horizon have surely made a great difference in their lives as can be appreciated by some the following reflections:
“We may have different cultures and ways of living but there are many things that keep us together like friendship and God’s love because we still are His children no matter what race we are in.” – Maria Stella N. Diolata
“The most significant experience for me in this activity is that when we met those who will be our family while we stay there. We learned so many things about their culture. The host families are so supportive and really hospitable. They treated us like their true family member.”– Jethro M. De ZGuzman
“We learned to socialize with other people and develop lots of good qualities here in immersion. We learned to be humble and we experienced the generosity of others, we learned to smile at people even though we do not know them, and help them as well.” – Sophia Janelle M. Samillano
"We were able to explore and experience their culture and at the same time, they learned something from us. There were problems encountered but the ups and downs have strengthened us. What I learned from this experience is that we should not give up no matter what comes in our way. We should not give up when faced with problems or struggles because these make us stronger. When we got delayed in our flight because we had incomplete requirements, we sought God’s help and we were able to completely arrange the documents for our flight within a day. This experience also developed my faith to God because despite on having a challenge in life, we prayed to Him that he may guide us always." – Friitz Gerald Taguines
“I will always remember the day that we all went to Phillip Island, that day is the time that we, Shepherdines got to know more our Loyolian buddies and became friends.” – Jessabeal Ylagan
“When all the delegates met together after the problem we encountered in the immigration, we felt relieved because we were already complete. Other significant events are our praying time together as well as our recollection/retreat. The spiritual activities brought us closer to each other and to God.” – Shammah Jireh Ramos
“The activities and programs were all worthwhile. They increased our knowledge and understanding of Australia – its history, places, people, practices and culture." – Mary Ronn Jiongco
“It is not impossible to have a strong bond/connection between two different cultures if both parties will open wholeheartedly to share each one’s differences and willing to accept and help each other for the growth of the students.” – Miss Riffy G. Medalla
“Through the immersion our eyes and hearts were opened to the realities of the individual and cultural differences and it brought us to a deeper understanding and acceptance of every individual or group entrusted to us. I have seen the goodness of God in each person involved and in all parts of the immersion. Diverse people were united, new places were discovered and appreciated, learning activities being shared, strangers hosted by loving families and friendships were developed along the way. They all speak how successful the activity was.” – Miss Wency C. Provido
Mary Ronn Jiongco
Leggi i commenti
Felicina
16/11/2017 | 10:14
Sei una meraviglia! Un grande e affettuoso abbraccio!!! a te e sorelle Ti ricordo con affetto,Grazie per il tuo servizio G.Generale!
Estelita(Australia)
15/11/2017 | 22:54
Praying that the Pastorelle's connection with the youth will continue to bring these young people closer to Jesus Good Shepherd, and may inspire them to share the same Good Lord to others. Blessings to the sisters and staff, and to the students who lived this wonderful experience of visit over here.
Sr Mary
07/11/2017 | 12:34
Thank you for sharing this amazing adventure. It was a wonderful experience for us to meet the group from our IGSS here in our convent over a meal and at the Cultural Night at Loyola College. A very talented and inquisitive group of young people, caring staff and parent, with the loving guidance of Sr Nelia. It was lovely to see them also expressing their faith in many different ways. The openness and generosity of Loyola College and host families is acknowledged and much appreciated.
Sr. Ignacia
06/11/2017 | 00:43
Well done, Shepherdines! You did bless us with your pleasant presence and with your giftedness!God bless.
sr Rita
05/11/2017 | 22:29
Indeed this is the way forward in developing an awareness and understanding that differences can enhance our lives and help us perceive that we all belong as the human family and have the mandate to create one united world.
