Year 11 Student, Lowood State High School, Queensland

As I stepped onto the aeroplane on the Tuesday afternoon, I knew that I was in for a week of discovery. A few days with absolutely no one that I knew around me and in a completely different environment (staying in a 4.5 star hotel as opposed to living on an acreage in rural Queensland).

Everything was forgotten after the first day, which was spent at Parliament House. This was the most amazing experience, as we learnt how basically everything that is said within the two houses, affects EVERYONE who is a citizen of Australia.

Whilst at Parliament House, the other students and myself were presented with our certificates and had the opportunity to ask questions of the Hon. Dr. Brendan Nelson, MP (then Minister for Education, Science and Training). This taught me a lot, because it made me realise that he makes some of the decisions that could influence the rest of my life.

There were students at the forum from many different backgrounds, religions and upbringings. This made for interesting debates when it came to issues such as human rights and protection of various freedoms. While I was in Canberra, I definitely learnt a lot more about the Muslim religion, and this has enabled me to be more open-minded when approaching people with beliefs other than my own.

The complexity of our political system is something which I think can only be understood by someone completely involved in it. However, while the other students and myself were in Canberra, we definitely gained a wider knowledge of our system of government. One of my highlights was Question Time in the House of Representatives. This was very entertaining and if anyone wants to see how passionate Members of Parliament can really be, this is suggested viewing material!

Whilst writing reports on different issues on the second and third days of the tour, we were asked to present our views to the other students (in groups). This enabled us to gain better public speaking skills and learn more about how we can get our ideas across. Guest speakers from local, national and international backgrounds had a chat to us, and let us know how we too can have our voices heard on issues which we do not agree with.

Active citizenship is something which everyone should be involved in, because when it comes down to it we are the ones who make all the decisions, no matter if we are the Prime Minister or if we are the local pizza delivery person.

From my trip away, I developed a completely different outlook on many aspects of my community involvement. I made friendships which will hopefully last a very long time, and, mainly, I took away with me memories of a great experience.