ACPE student, Scott Reynolds, returns from a life-changing volunteer trip to Cambodia
Scott Reynolds has recently returned from a life changing three-week trip to Cambodia made possible by The Australian College of Physical Education where he is currently studying a Bachelor of Applied Fitness. This is the second year in which ACPE staff and students have travelled to Cambodia to support the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) in delivering programs in the fields of sports and dance.
The CCF was founded in 2004 and aims to help the children of Cambodia through providing nourishment and access to education. The fund has grown from looking after a group of 87 children, to 1,200.
Scott was one of the lucky fifteen students selected to take part in the trip in 2011 and once again. he was chosen to return this year, with a fresh outlook and an excitement to see how the kids had grown in the past twelve months.
“Last year, I remember attending the first meeting at ACPE where students could put their name down if they’re interested in being considered for the Cambodia trip. I looked around the room and thought I had absolutely no chance as there were so many students putting in their application. I left the meeting without an application form,” says Scott.
“A few weeks later I was approached by student services and they suggested I should submit an application – I’m so glad I did!”
“My time in Cambodia can be described as a happy shock. It's one of those scenarios where you really need to see it to believe it. You begin to realise how much you appreciate even the smallest things that normally you would take for granted, like clean tap water and fresh air. Seeing kids that virtually have nothing but a huge smile on their face and life in their eyes is truly life-changing.”
“CCF is a vehicle to help drive the kids’ ambitions and aspirations, which they so desperately need. Having the chance to relive those experiences this year has been such an honour,” says Scott.
Scott is currently studying a Bachelor of Applied Fitness at the ACPE, a college he chose over university because he feared he would be lost in the crowds at a bigger institution. “I knew I would just be considered another number and my lecturers would most likely not know my name. I’ve never seen staff that are as devoted to their students as those at ACPE. I wouldn’t choose anywhere else.”
The ACPE Cultural Experience Program provides a unique opportunity for students to take part in something life-changing, in addition to what is learnt within the classroom. This is just one example of the way the ACPE endeavours to create well-rounded graduates, who are enriched mentally, physically and socially as a result of their time at the college.
Scott hopes to one day own his own business which targets all aspects of his clients’ lives, focusing on physical training, nutrition, diet, lifestyle job and much more.
