Hello everyone. Our names are Ida Ayu Putu Meyra Indira (9F) and Bintang (9H). We were given the wonderful opportunity to participate in the 2026 student exchange program at JSR in Perth, Australia. Today, October 10th, 2026, we are excited to share our experiences, the things we learned, and the unforgettable memories we made during our time in Australia. So, without further ado, lets take a look at our journey at our student exchange journey!

On Sunday, September 6th, we landed at Perth Airport. And turns out, pak Brendon with our host families were already waiting for us at the airport! They greeted us so welcomely, we could never forget the look of their warm smiles and the feeling of their warm hugs as we just arrived. Then, we all talked together for a moment before going home with our host families.

Our first week in Perth was super busy but really fun! On Monday, Pak Brendon gave us a quick briefing and showed us around the school before we jumped straight into classes. Throughout the week, we got to sit in on different grade levels and sometimes teaching them too, from Year 2 all the way up to Year 12 with teachers like Pak Brendon and Ibu Tin. And we had a Cooking Workshop with Ibu E on Wednesday! We got to cook sausage rolls and it tasted so good! We also got to try Woodwork with Pak Heath on Friday afternoon. Every day during recess and lunch, we’d hang out with our host buddies, and by 3:20 pm, it was time to head home and relax with our host families.

Saturday, September 12th, 2026, was the most exciting day of our first week in Australia! We went on a full-day tour around Perth by minibus with our host families, two Harapan teachers, and Mr. Brendon, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. First, we visited Caversham Wildlife Park, where we saw koalas, kangaroos, and other iconic Australian animals. After that, we explored the city and stopped at a souvenir shop to look for Australian souvenirs. We then had fun solving puzzles and completing challenges together at an escape room. Our last stop was Kings Park, where we enjoyed the beautiful views and visited the war memorial. Throughout the day, we took lots of photos, played around, and made wonderful memories together.

Moving into our second week, things got even more exciting! Throughout the week, we continued joining different classes, from Year 2 all the way to Year 12, alongside Pak Brendon and Ibu Tin. It was a great opportunity to experience school life in Australia and see how students learned across different year levels. On Wednesday afternoon, we also got to try something creative at an Art Workshop led by Ibu Martin. It was a fun change of pace and gave us a chance to explore our artistic sides. The following morning, we had a Woodwork session with Pak Heath, where we experienced a different kind of hands-on learning.

Wednesday was also a special day as the whole school gathered in the gymnasium for the Founder’s Day Service. One of the coolest moments was the entrance of the House Captains, who walked in with their house banners. The whole scene reminded us of the houses in Harry Potter! Watching them enter one by one was so impressive, and the atmosphere made the service feel even more special. It was definitely one of those moments that left us amazed. After the service, we enjoyed free sausage sizzles prepared by the teachers with help from several parents. The sausages were absolutely delicious, and it was nice to see everyone coming together to enjoy the food.

Friday, however, was on another level! We took part in the Founder’s Day Activities, starting with the House games, where everyone got involved, cheered for their teams, and enjoyed some friendly competition. But the real highlight was the Colour Run! The excitement grew as we ran around the school grounds while teachers and parent volunteers threw colourful powder at us. Before we knew it, we were covered in bright colours, laughing and having the time of our lives. Everywhere we looked, people were running, cheering, and enjoying the moment together. It was messy, colourful, and definitely one of the most exciting experiences of our week!

Overall, the week was filled with exciting activities and new experiences, from exploring different classes to taking part in special school celebrations. Founder’s Day was especially memorable because we got to see how the school community came together throughitstraditions, teamwork, and school spirit. It was a wonderful experience that made our exchange in Australia even more meaningful!

Our final week in Australia was filled with sweet memories, fun activities, and a few emotional moments as we slowly prepared to say goodbye. On Tuesday evening, we gathered at the PAC Cafe for our Farewell Dinner. It was a lovely evening where we could enjoy good food, share stories, and
spend time together with our friends, teachers, and host families. Knowing that our exchange journey was almost over made the dinner feel even more special.

On Wednesday, we held our Welcome Assembly, where we had the opportunity to share our experiences and celebrate the wonderful moments we had throughout the exchange program. We also joined one last Cooking Workshop with Ibu E, which was a fun way to spend time together while learning something new. It was hard to believe that we were already reaching the end of our journey, especially after getting used to our daily routines at school.

Thursday was another memorable day as we went on an excursion with the Year 9 Indonesian class to the Indonesian Consulate. It was an interesting experience that allowed us to learn more about Indonesia’s presence in Australia and connect with students who shared an interest in Indonesian language and culture. After the visit, we enjoyed lunch together at a restaurant, where we could chat, laugh, and make even more memories before our time together came to an end.

Friday was when everything started to feel real. After attending a meeting with the Principal, we spent the rest of the day enjoying our final moments around the school. We visited familiar places, talked with our friends, and said goodbye to the teachers and people who had made us feel welcome throughout our stay. Even though we knew we would eventually have to return home, leaving a place that had become part of our daily lives was not easy. It was a bittersweet moment, as we felt grateful for everything we had experienced but also sad that our time there was coming to an end.

On Saturday, we spent the day packing our belongings and making the most of our last moments with our host families. After spending several weeks together, they had become an important part of our exchange experience. We shared our final conversations, enjoyed our time together, and prepared ourselves for the journey home. Before we knew it, Sunday had arrived, and it was finally time to go back to our home land. It was sad, but we also miss our beautiful Bali and family.