Four students from Stawell Secondary College and Ararat Community College are about to embark on the experience of a lifetime when they head to China.
The four Gariwerd team members from Stawell, Emily Parnaby, Jess Slorach, Tayla Watts and Shawnee McIntosh, along with the four students from Ararat, Chloe Madex, Bethany Sherwell, Shannon Debnam and Sarah Davis, will be accompanied on the trip by teacher Youzhi Cheng.
They have been planning projects to research differences between Australia and China and sharing with the other 16 participants and their teachers via internet and email and excitement is building as they make their final preparations to travel.
Preparing for their departure, the students and Mrs Cheng travelled to Melbourne on Tuesday for an official farewell by Education Minister Lynne Kosky.
In total nearly 100 students and teachers from Victorian Government schools will travel to China as part of the Brumby Government's Overseas Study Program.
Farewelling the 78 students and 14 teachers on Tuesday, Ms Pike said the $400,000 program would give students the opportunity to travel abroad for the first time and broaden their horizons in ways they could never have imagined.
``The Overseas Study Program enables Victorian Government school students in years eight, nine and 10 to live, travel and undertake school-based study abroad, allowing them to develop greater global knowledge and cultural awareness,'' Ms Pike said.
``Education is the Brumby Government's number one priority, which is why we continue to invest in a broad range of educational programs to give Victorian students every opportunity to have the best start in life.
``They will spend up to three months in their host countries undertaking projects and cultural activities in local schools and communities and immersing themselves in other cultures.
``This is a fantastic opportunity for these students to broaden their understanding, experience different cultures and become globally aware.''
The students will have the opportunity to contribute to their local communities when they return, sharing what they have learnt during their global travels with their peers and families and the broader community.
Four regions across the state are involved, including one in metropolitan Victoria and three from rural and regional areas.
In the Grampians region a total of 20 Year 10 students from Stawell Secondary College, Ararat Community College, Hawkesdale P-12 College, Horsham College and Mount Clear College will study in China for six weeks and travel to places such as the Great Wall of China and Tiananmen Square.
``This is will be an amazing experience that students will never forget, making them true global citizens and giving them valuable life lessons,'' Ms Pike said.
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