Nine students from St Leo’s College at the University of Queensland have returned from an experience that has opened their eyes to much more than they could ever learn in a lecture theatre.
The young men spent four weeks in India during their summer break, volunteering to work with the poor and with severely disabled children from the slums of Madras.
St Leo’s Pastoral Dean and trip organiser Br Rob Callen said it was the college’s fourth India Immersion trip.
“Four weeks in a strange culture, being deprived of home comforts and familiar food, surrounded by a frenzy of colour, noise and smells, tests everyone,” he said.
“The trip is a journey of self-discovery that tests one’s patience and generosity; it teaches every volunteer real truths about himself.”
Student Jay Bowden said the true lessons of the trip lay within the country’s people rather than in sightseeing.
“Half a year ago I would have thought of curry, cricket and elephants when I thought of India,” he said.
“After spending a month in the country, I can say it means so much more on so many other levels.
“We got to see the ‘real’ India – stray dogs, small fires in people’s small homes, bodies on the street, and overwhelming happiness in the face of adversity.
“I first spent time doing work in Prem Dan, a place for mentally or physically ill men who had been rejected by society.
“It was here that I experienced the humble pursuit of giving without receiving.
“I learnt that language is not a barrier and great friendships can be made halfway across the world.
“We also visited Tittigarah, a small community solely managed and maintained by people with leprosy.
"We volunteered at the School of Mithra, where children with physical and mental disabilities grow up and learn what it means to be functioning members of a community.
“I believe the St Leo’s India pilgrims of 2014 learnt more than what it means to just be thankful for what we have.
“We have learnt that love and happiness can conquer everything, and that it is more important to give time than money,” Jay said.
The UQ Advantage Office has supported the annual St Leo’s Indian Immersion Program by providing UQ Advantage Grants to many students in the past 4 years to assist with travel and accommodation costs.
Advantage Grant guidelines can be found here.
Photos of the trip can be viewed here.
Media: UQ Communications Kate Bishop, 3346 7887, k.bishop3@uq.edu.au.
