Wodonga Senior Secondary College helps new Aussies find their way

Now imagine doing it when you are still in secondary school. 

That is why a program, run by Wodonga Senior Secondary College in conjunction with YMCA Victoria, is looking to extended the hand of friendship. 

Recently 10 students spent two days trekking across the Bogong High Plains as they camped out under the stars. 

There they learned more about themselves as well as their new friends with students from such diverse backgrounds as Nepal, Kenya, the Philippines, the Congo and Uganda. 

YMCA Integrated Communications Officer Hannah Andrews said the intimate camping environment was the perfect place for the children to connect. 

"The idea behind the hike is to help some of these kids get a sense of belonging, given many of them have only recently arrived in Australia," Miss Andrews said. 

"I would say confidence is the biggest thing that these kids take out of a walk like this.

"Many of them have not been in the country long so even basic things like speaking English are difficult for them. 

"But after they went on the hike they reached out to those in their school more and people in the community as well. 

"One of the other big positives the kids took away from the hike was that learned not just about Australian culture, but Nepalese culture as well as other nationalities."

Peer Support Leader from Wodonga Senior Secondary College, Cory Montagnat, said it was a thrill to be able to help their classmates assimilate. 

"For some of the students of the program, it's like they have come here with their eyes blindfolded,” Mr Montagnat said. 

"When they see that we're trying to help them, they really love it because it's like we're taking that blindfold off. 

"When they bring their life that they had over there to here, it changes your life a little bit too. It's great.”

The program is set to continue given its early success since its inception in 2014.