They would spend the next nine days being exposed to poverty, hardships and unforgettable experiences.

Known as the Cambodia Immersion Program - now in its second year - 24 students and four staff travelled to Cambodia where they built  homes for the less fortunate. 

The students arrived in Siem Reap, and the following day got straight to work in less than ideal, humid conditions.

On arrival to the building site - preselected by a community organisation for two families in desperate need of housing - there was no wasting time.

“When we got there the materials were all there ready for us to start constructing,” Hennessy staff member Brett Cowan said.

Over the next three days the two groups of 12 students constructed two houses to a stage they could be lived in.

“They did everything from lifting the walls up, to putting the floors into putting the sideboards on and the roof,” Brett said.

And to top their efforts, the college also donated 20 saws and hammers to the village to assist with future developments.

According to Brett the students connected well with the kids during their time at the village.

“They took them soccer balls, tennis balls, games, decks of cards, pencils, etc,” he said.

“So not only were we just building houses, but the kids were building relationships with the kids in the village as well.”

The fourth day of the trip consisted of a full day of travelling to Cambodia’s capital, Patong Ping. 

Here the group visited the Sisters of Mercy Orphanage.

“For the kids they found that really quite… they enjoyed it, but they got quite upset,” Brett said.

“They quickly created relationships with the kids there and it was just a matter of when leaving them they found that a bit tough…”

The college donated over $1000 to the orphanage to assist with food and the upkeep for the children.

The remaining few days were spent visiting historical places, as well as some sightseeing, before returning home on July 4.

Brett said the trip was a huge eye-opener for the students.

“It made them realise that we have a commitment to people who are underprivileged and marginalised,” he said.

“But it also gave their life more perspective, and I think for many of them it was a life-changing event.”