It’s very rare to experience the moment when you feel your life shift, when your perspective on the world around you changes. But from the very first day we touched down in India, I knew I was coming back a different person.
This September, I was one of 15 students who had the incredible opportunity to travel to India with Richmond Institute, the education provider connected to the Richmond Football Club. We spent 10 days exploring the beauty of the country. Six cities and five states later, this trip will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I was first inspired to apply because a small amount of overseas travel in the past had ignited a passion for seeing the world. That compelled me to take on arguably one of the hardest, yet most rewarding, adventures Richmond Institute has to offer.
Touching down in Amritsar, where our travels began, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. Walking from the bus to our first hotel, we slotted into the hustle and bustle, finding our feet in a new country and captivated by its beauty.
As I reflect on my time in India, there are many moments that made a big impact on me.
Within our first couple of days, we ran AFL clinics at local schools in Ludhiana, a city in northern India. Introducing our sport to young primary school kids who had never heard of AFL warmed my heart, and seeing how much joy it brought them was so moving. I spent my time working with a small group of girls who picked up footy quickly. There are definitely some future AFLW stars in this little school!
Another highlight came in Khajuraho, located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, where we had the incredible opportunity to help lead and run a school sports carnival. This beautiful tradition takes place one day each year and is a highlight for the entire community.
For those who may not know, the curriculum in many Indian schools has a strong emphasis on academics. On this one special day, however, there are no classes, and the whole school gathers at a local park for a day filled with sport. Teachers dress in their finest saris, parents and families come along to watch, and the children spend the day taking part in a variety of activities.
Richmond Institute students ran the activity stations for the children, with games including octopus, capture the flag and tag. I spent the day with the Year 1 and Year 2 students, helping them compete at each station. After a day filled with egg-and-spoon races, tunnel ball and 1000 high-fives, we spent the rest of the afternoon singing and dancing in the park.
It was so special to be part of this yearly tradition and to create connections with these gorgeous children.
Our group also had the opportunity to do lots of sightseeing, including temples, monuments and, most memorably, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Standing in the presence of the Taj Mahal left me speechless. The sun had just begun to set, casting a golden glow across the marble, and all of us were in awe. No picture can capture the feeling of seeing such a breathtaking monument.
But it was a quiet moment of reflection that I’ll remember most. I sat on a stone bench with my two best friends, the three of us gazing up in admiration. That silent reflection will stay with me for the rest of my life, and knowing I spent it with people I care for so deeply is such an honour.
By far one of the best things to come out of my time in India was the people I met along the way. The friendships I made will no doubt last a lifetime.
I debriefed each day with Millah, as we roomed together every night of the trip. I did magic tricks with Liv at the dinner table and played uno with Mitch for hours on the train. I heard about Liam’s love of Harry Potter, and had deep chats with Josh about our life dreams and goals as we walked the streets of Mumbai. I bartered with Hamish in the markets and took on the overnight train with Ava. It’s the little moments that made the experience so special.
It’s amazing how quickly friends start to feel like family when you’re connected by the places you’ve travelled together. These are the friendships I’m bringing back to Australia, but all the friends we said goodbye to in India also have a special place in my heart, and I hope one day our lives intertwine again.
The final story I’d love to share is our last night. We spent the final weekend together in Mumbai and had the opportunity to play against India’s AFL team. From the students on the trip, we created an all-star squad that went head-to-head with the Mumbai team. AFL is actually very popular across Asia, and especially in India!
Coming together on a warm Saturday night at Shivaji Park wasn’t just about bonding over a sport we all love. It was about breaking down barriers, united regardless of language, gender or experience.
Richmond Institute provides students with experiences like this, where we immerse ourselves in culture, connect with people from all over the globe, and push ourselves out of comfort zones we didn’t even know we had. It has given us the opportunity to grow into strong, independent young adults as we take the next steps in our journey.
While away, I was definitely challenged and pushed out of my comfort zone, and in those moments of doubt or fear it was the people around me who made me stronger. Travelling without your parents for the first time can be very confronting, but if you want to do it in a controlled and safe environment, the experience Richmond Institute offers is perfect. There was not one time when I questioned my safety, felt uncomfortable or even got homesick.
If you’re thinking about taking on India next year, I could not recommend it enough, and I’m so incredibly grateful I was selected. Opportunities like this force us to grow, both personally and professionally. India has completely changed me for the better, and I feel so much more confident stepping into the next chapter of my life.
If you decide to go, make sure you have an open mindset, support those around you and, above all, enjoy every day. You don’t realise how quickly it goes until you’re driving to the airport to leave. Be brave and push yourself outside your bubble of comfort.
The last thing I want to leave you with is a quote: “If life is so big, why would I be so small?” For me, it sums up the importance of taking on challenges, allowing yourself to grow and finding out who you truly are.
Our lives have been forever brightened by the colours, spices and love that India shared with us. Wherever life takes us, I know we’ll hold those 10 days close to our hearts.
This article was written by Jacqui Ring a current Diploma of Sport/Diploma of Leadership and Management (SIS50321/BSB50420) student studying in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology and the Richmond Football Club.
