The following depicts some previous LIA students experiences:
Alannah Manson, China
The recent devastation in China was felt throughout the world,
but for one LIA student it was a part of the experience she will
never forget:
I was the first one in the house to feel it, and I ran out
screaming (probably some bad words in English too!!!) to my
host grandmother who didn’t understand a word I was saying,
and couldn’t feel the shaking, then my HM and HF felt it and
came out of their bedroom (they were sleeping, as most
people do here at lunchtime), so then we all joined the
masses rushing down the stairs to go outside – I didn’t even
know it was an earthquake – I thought it might just be
something to do with the building. So we were all gathered out
there in various states of undress (it’s really hot so people
don’t wear much when they’re sleeping – my HF didn’t have
any trousers on!!!!!!), all wondering what on earth had
happened. Then we heard the students in the dormitories
screaming as well because they felt it a bit after us. So after
that we all gathered in a wide open space in the school, and
people came with water and stuff because it was boiling hot of
course. We stayed there (with some breaks to go outside to
eat something etc) until about 10pm when we were allowed
back in our building.
The shaking though was just awful – it was like the whole
building had turned into a swing bridge. I’ve never run down
nine flights of stairs so fast in my life before!!!
So yesterday was quite dramatic, but of course in Chongqing
it was nowhere near as bad as other places. There’s no
damage in our area or anything, we’re just all a bit shaken
haha. So you can put your mind at rest, I’m okay here in
Chongqing! Alannah
Anna Pickett, France
“I am home and will always remeber… waiting behind the door at the airport before walking out to see family and friends…knowing that I’d left my well fulfilled dream but was back to home sweet home. I was stuck in the middle of two worlds.. a rather confusing feeling. The whole experience has been…love, love for France, for NZ, for my family, friends. I have a whole new appreciation of life and how beautiful it can be.”
Brooke O’Connor, Japan
“I am home and I will always remember the memories I made with my host family and friends. This whole experience has given me a new awareness of the world around me and cultural perspective of how other people live.”
Alex McAlpine, France
“I am home and i will always remember…the people, the culture & the way of life that I experienced in this once in a life time opportunity. The whole experience has given me…more awareness of what’s happening on the other side of the globe. I am far more open minded and cocky than before haha!!”
Nikki Kergozou, France
“I hope I always remember everything! There is no part I want to forget.
It has given me the ability to cope so much better with everything and to be independent.”
