From Manila to Sydney... and Back: What Really Happens During These Trips?

Hi, I'm Maureen. After 25 wonderful years as a Career Counsellor at La Salle Zobel, I'm now the Director of Study Tours at the Academy of Entrepreneurs.

We all love watching the reels and photos of our students exploring Sydney, attending inspiring masterclasses, meeting successful entrepreneurs, and visiting Australia's most iconic landmarks. We see the smiles, the adventures, and the unforgettable moments.

But what really happens behind the scenes?

What social media doesn't always capture are the small, everyday moments that quietly shape each student's journey. These are the experiences that can't be measured in photos or videos but often become the most meaningful part of the trip.

Every day, I watch students learn what it truly means to be independent. They decide what to eat, manage a budget, navigate public transport, and solve problems on their own. These may seem like ordinary decisions, but for many students, it's the first time they're making them without their parents or teachers guiding every step.

One of my favorite things to witness is the friendships that form along the way.

Some students barely know each other before the trip. Others aren't even close with their classmates back home. Yet somewhere between the airport, the apartment, the masterclasses, and the walks through Sydney, those walls come down. They begin looking after one another, sharing experiences, and creating friendships that often continue long after the study tour ends.

As a parent myself, this part always resonates with me. We constantly remind our children to spend wisely and make good decisions. During the study tour, they finally get the opportunity to do just that. They decide whether to cook at the apartment or eat out, whether to save their money or spend it on an experience.

They learn that every choice has a consequence, and those lessons are far more valuable because they discover them on their own.

What amazes me with every group is how much they grow in confidence.

Students who arrive quiet and unsure gradually begin asking questions, sharing their ideas, speaking in front of others, and embracing new challenges. They become comfortable not just with a new city, but with themselves.

I've witnessed this transformation countless times, and it never gets old.

People often ask me why I continue doing this.

The answer is simple.

Yes, Sydney is an incredible city. The masterclasses are inspiring, the company visits are eye-opening, and the sightseeing creates lifelong memories. But the real value of this experience isn't found on the itinerary.

It's found in the confidence a student gains after overcoming a challenge.

It's found in the independence they discover by making decisions for themselves.

It's found in the realization that they are capable of so much more than they ever imagined.

When our students return home, they bring back far more than souvenirs and photos. They return with gratitude, resilience, confidence, and a broader perspective of the world. Parents often tell us they notice the difference almost immediately, and hearing that is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.

My hope is that the lessons they learn don't stay in Sydney. I hope they bring them home, continue growing, serve their communities, and use what they've learned to create positive change wherever life takes them.

Every study tour ends with a flight home.

But for many of our students, that's where their real journey begins.