In February 2006 twenty-two of us arrived in Melbourne for a Life Matters course. We included 11 nationalities, from Australians who had effectively just crossed the road, to people from Cambodia and Vietnam.
As more people appeared at the door the large house got noisier and happier, yet it was always possible to find a quiet place to be on your own.
We had gathered for a chance to reflect on our lives and learn life skills. The course covered personal and global issues. Personal topics like 'identity', 'forgiveness', and 'inner direction' were addressed by speakers and then discussed in smaller groups.
The skills we learned - including community-building, leadership and decision making - were key in helping us see how we might achieve goals we set ourselves throughout the course.
We split into four teams. Family feeling soon grew between us as we completed our service (washing up, clearing the kitchen). This closeness meant that we were able to share thoughts and feelings openly, knowing that we would receive support and confidentiality.
For the international members there was a second two-week part of the course. This included a team building workshop with James McIvor, a specialist in career planning and management. He showed us how to identify how different people work and how to meet their needs in a team - as well as understanding our own needs!
As the group was smaller, we were able to include more outside visits.
After we met Ven. [Phouc] Phuoc Tan, Abbot of the largest Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Melbourne, one course helper commented: "I thought that he would talk about Buddhism but instead he told us about the work of his congregation and took a great interest in us. We can read about Buddhism any time, but this was an exciting opportunity to meet a special man."
Polly Flanagan, the Director of the Leadership program at Melbourne Grammar School, invited five of us to speak to 30 Year-12 leaders. Afterwards the Principal and the Head of the Senior School invited our group for discussions and a look around the campus. They said how valuable it was for the school to hear how change could happen from 'the bottom up'.
Life Matters is not all work. We had fun with Latin dancing lessons, creative evenings and sports. Many of us were challenged to do something new, whether performing in front of others or playing more sports in a week than I have in the last year.
I found a creative evening particularly testing as it has been a few years since I have had to write and perform my own works - but I found new confidence in my abilities.
The wonderful thing about Armagh is that a family is created and everyone is involved. This means that there is no need to be afraid because you are supported and encouraged every step of the way.
Our volleyball matches were an example of this. There was a mix of "professionals" and "scared of the ball" amateurs - and, of course there were the select few who soon became star players although they had never stepped on a court before. Personally, I flailed my arms and hoped they would hit the ball. But, with the encouragement of my teams and some friendly name calling, I ended up with a serve that went over the net - most of the time.
The same was true in the way I looked at my life. At first it was difficult to answer questions about my dreams that, as an 18 year old gap student, I hadn't really thought about seriously. Then, through the support and experience of others, I was able to find ideas - even if, like my serve, they may not always go over the net. I have been able to mend relationships with friends and family, and reconcile with problems from the past. During all of this I grew close to many and there was an invitation from all that if you turn up in their country they will look after you, which I'm looking forward to taking up.
The challenge is not over. We now have to apply our goals and changes to our lives back home. Even though I have put this off a few months by travelling round Australia, I'm excited to continue. We also have another wonderful responsibility; an anonymous donor has given each of us $500 to be used for an initiative of our own in which we will put into action what we have learnt through the course about change-making and community-building.
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