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Our College is proud to offer students the opportunity to broaden their horizons through our 2027 Immersion Programs. These unique experiences invite students to step beyond their own world, immerse themselves in different cultures, listen to the stories of others and deepen their understanding of communities both within Australia and abroad.
Open to Year 9 and Year 10 students, each immersion provides a meaningful journey of discovery. Participants will engage in cultural experiences, listen "with the ear of the heart" to the stories of local people and visit significant historical and cultural sites.
2027 Immersion Program Dates
Students are invited to send applications to mission@lhc.qld.edu.au. Applications close on Monday, 26 October 2026.
There is no better way to understand the impact of an immersion than to hear directly from those who have lived it. Sienna and Maddison reflect on their recent Timor-Leste Immersion, while Abby shares insights from her On Country Immersion, offering a glimpse into the experiences students can expect on next year's Northern Territory program.
What Immersion Program did you go on?
In April 2026, I was fortunate enough to take part in the Red Earth - Cape York Immersion.
Before you left on your flight, what were you most looking forward to?
I was most looking forward to the people I was going to meet and
the wonderful sights we were going to see.
When you landed at your Immersion destination, what three words best described how you were feeling?
Curious (for what was to come), excited (to be in a new place with new people), tired (from the early start to the day).
Do you have a highlight from the trip?
A highlight from my trip would be connecting the elders and being able to hear all their stories about their childhood and growing up on land. I also enjoyed all the activities we were lucky enough to do such as spear throwing, hand-reel fishing and bush tucker walks.
When you landed back home from your Immersion, what 3 words best described how you were feeling?
Refreshed (as I hadn’t been on any devices in over a week), upset (that my experience had come to an end), happy (to be home).
What one item would you tell everyone going on your Immersion Program in the future to pack?
One thing I would recommend to students going on an immersion would be to bring a journal so you can write about your day and everything that happened, so you are able to share all of your fun stories.
What Immersion Program did you go on?
Timor-Leste
Before you left on your flight, what were you most looking forward to?
Because we were the first from Lourdes Hill to go on this immersion, I didn't really know what to expect, but from what I did know I was most excited about meeting the people in the Timor Leste community and seeing how they live their lives.
When you landed at your Immersion destination, what three words best described how you were feeling?
Intrigued, Excited, Nervous
Do you have a highlight from the trip?
Meeting the children from the Good Samaritan Boarding school in Rilaco in the mountains, had the most lasting impact on me. When we arrived, they welcomed us with traditional dances and welcome speeches, but once we introduced ourselves to them individually, they welcomed us and played with us as if we had known them for years, calling each of us 'sister'. Hearing stories about their life and everyday struggles, had a lasting impact that I will cherish forever.
When you landed back home from your Immersion, what 3 words best described how you were feeling?
Inspired, Thankful, Enriched
What one item would you tell everyone going on your Immersion Program in the future to pack?
Enough hydrolytes for 2 per day. Timor Leste is extremely hot and humid, but in a different way to what we know in Australia, so we got dehydrated very easily.
What Immersion Program did you go on?
I was fortune to be part of the 2026 Timor-Leste Immersion Program.
Before you left on your flight, what were you most looking forward to?
I was most looking forward to meeting the local community, learning about their lives through listening to their stories and immersing myself within the Timorese culture. I was excited to step outside of my comfort zone, experience a different culture and build meaningful connections with the local people. Most of all, I wanted to make a positive difference, even in a small way, and return home with a greater appreciation for the opportunities I have here in Australia.
When you landed at your Immersion destination, what three words best described how you were feeling?
Hopeful, inspired and eager!
Do you have a highlight from the trip?
One of the biggest highlights for me on the Timor trip was visiting the local boarding school. It was lifechanging to connect and learn about the lives of the local children and community. Seeing their happiness, resilience and generosity remind me that meaningful connections go far beyond language and culture itself, but rather how simple actions can form significant bonds. Ultimately, this experience challenged my perspective, deepened my gratitude and showed me the importance of being present, listening and putting those around me first.
When you landed back home from your Immersion, what 3 words best described how you were feeling?
Humbled, overwhelmed and fulfilled.
What one item would you tell everyone going on your Immersion Program in the future to pack?
An item I would encourage those to pack is a digital camera to capture all the special moments whilst still allowing yourself to disconnect from your phone. Having not brought my phone on the immersion it allowed me to be fully present, engage with the people around me and truly immerse myself in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I would highly recommend doing this as I was still able to take photos to look back on, which are lifelong memories that I will forever treasure.
