The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

June 16, 2009

Two friends Australia-bound

KIMBERLY BELLAMY

A friendship that formed in the classroom at Hobgood Academy will have the opportunity to grow stronger as two former classmates head off to Australia on Saturday as People to People student ambassadors.

The student ambassador program gives students in grades 5-12 the opportunity to expand their knowledge of other cultures by sending them to different countries for educational enrichment.

People to People was started in 1956 by President Dwight Eisenhower as way to bridge the gap between people of different parts of the world by creating a greater level of understanding.

Eighth-grade Hobgood student Rebekah Evans, and eighth-grade Martin Middle School student Jess Gaul will have the opportunity to learn more about Australia during their two-week trip. They are both 13.

They both said that they didn’t have an opportunity to learn much about the continent in their classes because their class just began the unit on Australia towards the end of their seventh-grade year.

While there, they will get the opportunity to visit Sydney, Canberra, Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Katherine, Cairns and Mangalli Falls, engaging in activities such as taking a swim at the Sydney Aquatic Centre, visiting Australia’s New Parliament House and many more tours and activities.

Gaul said that she has already done some background research to prepare herself for the trip.

“I did some research on the Web site, and I learned about the aboriginals, their culture, and what they do from day to day,” she said.

Evans is going into the experience with her eyes-wide open, and is looking forward to learning more once she arrives. She said that she is excited about seeing the animals in Australia such as the kangaroos and koalasr.

They will be living with a family while there, but the girls said they will take it as a learning experience instead of being nervous about it.

“I’m more excited than nervous because I know it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Gaul said.

“I’ve always wanted to see the way other cultures are, and I have an interest in their religions, and just seeing the way they live,” she said.

Evans said she is interested in seeing how the language barrier will play out.

“They’ll probably love it when we talk,” she said.

One savior from the students not being totally thrown into a new situation alone is the bond that they already have.

The two became friends while Gaul attended Hobgood Academy with Evans, but continued to keep in touch after transferring to Martin Middle School.

“This trip is an opportunity to become closer,” Gaul said.

Although, they knew each other, they didn’t find out about the trip through the same sources.

Evans's brother went on a People to People trip to Australia, and Gaul’s friend went to Europe.

Evans has an advantage from her brother bringing her back some souvenirs that will literally pay off on her trip.

“I’m trying to find all my Australian money,” she said.

They also funded their more than $7,000 trips in different ways. Gaul received donations from friends for her birthday instead of receiving gifts, and her grandparents gave her some money towards the trip on Christmas. Evans funded her trip through her mother paying for it.

Jess is the daughter of Rusty and Lisa Gaul of Bethel. ebekah is the daughter of Wayne and Guyla Evans of Tarboro.

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