TESTIMONIALS
OUR CLIENT FEEDBACK
Over the last 3 years we have worked with Alex and the Timor Unearthed team to facilitate 11 university study tour programs to Timor-Leste. These programs have involved coordinating safe and reliable transport options and suitable accommodation for students and lecturers across the country. Alex and Anas are great to work with and always ensure our groups are well looked after while in Timor. We look forward to working with Timor Unearthed again in the future!
BIANCA GILES
Manager
Reho Study Tours
2018-2020 Programs
WHAT TEACHERS SAY
PATRICIA ALBOROUGH
Teacher
Waverley College
2019 Program
Alex and his team lead a group of 15 students and 3 teachers from Waverley College on a 10 day immersion in Timor-Leste in which I had the pleasure of being a part of. The professionalism, company ethos and adaptability to unforeseeable circumstances that arise in countries such as Timor-Leste, shown by Alex was outstanding.
Alex and his team were exceptional with their time management, organisation and communication. Alex was able to make adjustments to the itinerary to help cater for our schools immersion criteria as well as being able to promptly answer any questions throughout the preparation period prior to the trip.
The experience supported by Alex broadened our understanding of political, economic and educational factors that are currently affecting Timor-Leste. It was evident that the program has a strong focus on supporting the local communities and reducing our ecological footprint through education and action.
Students were given the opportunity to support many ethical and sustainable organisations which run programs to support waste management, malnutrition and the upskilling of locals such as the Hospitality Training Centre, Agora Food Studio and 3 R’s. Alex and his team’s focus on being a carbon neutral business inspired the students to focus on reducing their ecological footprint throughout the immersion. This has inspired our students to run a sustainability campaign back in Australia.
Alex showed a high level of care and consideration around the health and safety of our students, which was a great comfort. All of our guides, drivers and homestay families had all been trained in a range of health and safety procedures including safe driving, safe food handling and child protection. Both students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed the homestay experience as we were able to immerse ourselves in the culture, develop relationships with the local Timorese people and practice the local language.
I would highly recommend Alex and his team to anyone considering a school group immersion to Timor-Leste. The relationship he has built with the guides and local communities is an inspiration to all the students taking part in the experience and we are looking forward to working with Alex in the future.
KAITLYN DOWNEY
Immersion Coordinator/Teacher
Waverley College
2019 Program
I am happy to recommend Alex Johnson and his team to anyone wishing to experience the best of Timor- Leste in a way that is educational, sustainable and that ethically supports the local people. I was fortunate enough to be a part of a school group immersion to Timor Leste in July of 2019. Even though it was actually my fourth time to Timor Leste, I came away from the immersion with new understandings of the current political, environmental and social climate of Timor Leste, all created by the vast range of activities and experiences provided to us by Alex and his team.
The itinerary selected for our school group was very reflective of the goals we had set for the immersion as Alex was very flexible and happy to accommodate any changes that we wanted to make. I was also very happy with the ethical and sustainable choices made throughout the immersion in regards to simple things like where we ate. I felt like all the local businesses we supported throughout had positive messages and goals which were excellent for our students to see and experience. We especially enjoyed supporting local businesses and initiatives like the Agora Food Studio, STVJ Training Centre and the 3R’s.
The professionalism and knowledge demonstrated by Alex and his team of guides were second to none. Through the guides, we gained an incredible amount of knowledge of the history, culture and current situation of the Timorese people. This was developed in the formal parts of the tour but also in the everyday chats the students got to have with them. All of our boys left very inspired by the passion our guides have for their country.
I was also very impressed by the level of attention given to the health and safety of our students. All of our guides, drivers and homestay families had all been trained in a range of health and safety procedures including safe driving, safe food handling and child protection. This left us very confident that we were in the safest of hands.
I would highly recommend Alex and his team to anyone considering taking a school group to Timor Leste. I believe that it is his passion and dedication to helping the Timorese people that has inspired my students to want to come back again and to continue to support the local community in the future.
MARIA WOODHOUSE
Teacher
St. Joseph's College East Gosford
2019 Program
Timor Unearthed is an excellent company. Their focus on sustainability is an important aspect of the experience of traveling with them. The staff are knowledgable and always willing to share their experience of their culture with our group. Tours are well organized and provide a range of opportunities to immerse yourself in the Timorese life. Highly recommended.
CATHY O'SULLIVAN
Immersion Coordinator/Teacher
Waverley College
2018 Program
The professional, thoughtful and insightful planning by Alex and his team at Timor Unearthed enabled our school group to have a very memorable and unforgettable immersion to the beautiful nation of Timor-Leste.
In the initial planning stages, Alex was always accommodating and willing to work with us to provide a program that would not only give our students an appreciation of Timor-Leste and its people, but, also an understanding of its recent history and challenges for the future.
Our three night homestay in the village of Railco Craic enabled us to fully immerse ourselves in village life; eating, playing and laughing with our host families. Afternoon soccer matches with the youth from a nearby village was also an unforgettable experience. We also had the opportunity to travel further afield to Baucau and Ossu – staying at local convents – spending evenings playing games and learning traditional dances with the children. When in Dili we were able to visit many of the important historicial sites and museums as well as supporting many local sustainable businesses.
Alex’s knowledge along with the excellent team of Timorese guides was second to none, their care and attention was very appreciated. I have no problem recommending Timor Unearthed to organise a school immersion to this wonderful country.
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
The team at Timor Unearthed are wonderful! Everything was very well organised for our trip and there was great flexibility to adapt the program as we went. The guides were amazing with great personalities and very good English. Would definitely recommend Timor Unearthed to family and friends.
CHEALSA, 26 YRS
University Student
Engineers Without Borders
2018 Program
This tour was the most eye-opening experience of my life. The country is absolutely beautiful and rich in culture, history, and community. I formed the most wonderful relationship with the guides throughout the constantly surprising tour. My group and I had the most life-changing time and will remember the trip for the rest of our lives.
ELIZA, 16 YRS
High School Student
St. Joseph's College East Gosford
2019 Program
My experience with Timor Unearthed was honestly life changing. We had such an amazing time immersed in culture and surrounded by amazing people who really cared about us.
GRACE, 16 YRS
High School Student
St Joseph's College East Gosford
2019 Program
Since the first day we as a group arrived we were greeted with large smiles, laughs, and excitement. 13 days have passed and these smiles have done nothing but grow. Timor Unearthed has provided us with a sense of family away from home. They have made us feel more than comfortable, safe and at home. The team at Timor Unearthed have cared, comforted and treated us as though we were the most important. Not at any point did we feel as though we were in any danger. They would constantly ask how we felt out of 10 and would make our numbers increase to 10 if not!
CHELSEA, 16 YRS
High School Student
St. Joseph's College East Gosford
2019 Program
Timor Unearthed has not only opened Timor-Leste to the world, but to my heart. The Timor Unearthed team made the adventure fun, educational, memorable and life-changing. The organisation was impeccable, as was the knowledge of the entirety of the nation. Thanks to Timor Unearthed, my group saw the country from many different perspectives, from village life to the big beautiful cities and formed unbelievable bonds with amazing Timorese people. Under the guidance of Timor Unearthed, we discovered not only a lot about Timor-Leste, but a lot about ourselves.
MAX, 17 YRS
High School Student
Waverley College
2018 Program
I have just returned from traveling throughout Timor-Leste with Timor Unearthed. It was an eyeopening experience showing me how lucky we are here at home. The TU team’s contacts and connections throughout Timor gave an extremely authentic experience, especially in the home stay environments. Timor is a beautiful country with the most welcoming people and whilst travel can be challenging as living conditions are so different to home, my trip was so much fun and so inspiring. I have learnt why it is important to travel with a company like TU that is employing Timorese people, contributing to village economies and supporting training centres.
ANGUS, 17 YRS
High School Student
Waverley College
2018 Program