Our society demands too much in terms of possessions and we can still be happy with less. The Mentawai people were the kindest, most beautiful people I have ever met. I am afraid they are in danger of losing their identity as conforming to the Western way becomes more prevalent. Thank you for sharing Mentawai Magic with us.

Adriana Spence (age 15), United Kingdom

For me it was good to see that there are still places in the world that aren't influenced by the materialistic modern world. The Mentawai people were so friendly, peaceful and I really admired their egalitarian way of living. When we talked to other Indonesia people, they saw the Mentawai as primitive lower-beings, but I believe we are the one to learn from the Mentawai.

Rie Davidsen (aged 17), Denmark

The Mentawai island of Siberut was wonderful as we shed the "modern world". Experiencing their lifestyle of a balance between the need to work in order to eat and 'to be' 9as in the context of being with each other) was a beneficial reminder that our modern/civilized way of life is not balanced or healthy. I got another view at government's re-settlement/education. I've always seen education as the good and right thing to do, but the way it's done in Madobag, where education is set in front of culture, is terrifying.

I'm glad I got on the trip, because it moved me out of my "comfort" zone and taught me that you do not have to be perfectly clean every day, and dust and smoke in the air is okay. Thank you for the experience.

Jakob Laage-Thomsen (aged 14), Denmark

Since my return to Hanoi, my life has certainly changed. I feel happy and proud of who I am and what I have. This experience removed my blindness because it has encouraged me to look beyond the surface in order to understand the complexity inside a problem/issue. Because of this I learned that even the smallest living cell has life/feelings, it's not only a cell which contains DNA but something that keeps us alive and unique from other species, the same as the Mentawai society. Life has more meaning beyond the definitions and explanations from a book and I've grown even more curious. Only people who close their eyes and open their hearts can see through the surface to reach an undiscovered point of view. IT taught us all to fight and face our fear even in the darkest time of our life. We learned to step through the mud, not over or around and if we fall we get up and continue. That's just what life is ... it's never fair.

Cherry Griffiths (aged 15), Thailand

On this trip I became more aware of the materialistic world I am a part of. I realized that the way these people live is much more satisfying than ours because they make everything out of what the earth has given them. Their creativity and centuries of survival has occurred due to their bond with nature. Our 'disposable society' has a lot to learn. I think we have made our lives too complicated. We all made special bonds with the Mentawai people, and I plan to return soon.

Maxime Zech (aged 16), Netherlands

From living with the Mentawai, I re-evaluated the way I spend and consume as a human, and learned to appreciate the smallest things which I take for granted such as meat, a shower, and drinking water. Also, I was amazed at how cross-cultural boundaries were so easily stepped over and how we simply became a group of humans enjoying each other's company and differences.

Yuuki Hashimoto (aged 17), Japan

I now feel that we are too materialistic. The fact that we need technological objects, which our world, in order to improve or to be content with our lives whereas the Mentawai have each other and nature to depend on. The Minangkabau people look down on the Mentawai for their primitive lives but I feel sorry for the Minangkabau who abandon tradition to lead a life influenced by the western world. We lead very fast and busy lives which allow us little time to take in the beauty of what is around us. This journey allowed me to learn about a primitive community and nature. Maybe it is our western world which should rename itself to one that is primitive as the term may be associated with ignorance.

KimLeigh Endley (aged 16), Republic of South Africa

This experience with a new culture has broadened my horizons -- yet again. The Mentawai with their generosity, creativity, family values, and clever abilities have left an in erasable footprint in my heart. They have been inspirational and wise in so many different ways that I could have ever imagined. This has been a rare opportunity. Thank you for teaching us so much!

Ellen Ha (aged 16), USA

Words cannot do justice to the experience we have just had and others really don't understand. The jungle became my school and the Mentawai became my teachers. So many hidden secrets -- so much to learn!

We came together as many diverse cultures, differing backgrounds, beliefs and goals. Sharing and learning together created a family environment which has given me strength right away. I view life differently as I appreciate so much more. The close bonds of family life in an uma has provided the goal of becoming even closer tom family by spending more time with them rather than rushing off in my fast past life.

While this sounds like a cliche, our journey was an unforgettable experience and goo for my soul.

Helen Eggenberger (aged 16), Switzerland

I certainly adapted quickly to a new way of life. In the past I wasn't eager to be dirty and would not have sought an experience such as this, but now I don't mind. This experience has helped me to see a different view of the world. The opportunity to learn about differing cultures has enabled me to be more accepting of differing view points. Being less rigid and narrow minded is certainly a part of 'growing up'

Caroline Watson (aged 15), USA

It is not just what I saw but more importantly what I felt that made my adventure with the Mentawai so memorable. Never have I had so much respect and admiration for a culture as that of the Mentawai. Their vibrant ceremonies and rituals and their simple, yet content view of life, really touched my heart. Their willingness to share their culture with us made us all instantly feel at ease in the foreign surroundings. Sounds cliche but with the Mentawai, I truly did find a second home! I learned to relax, to just sit back and admire the small things in life.

Prerna Khanna (aged 16), India

I have learned that one does not need a new Cadillac, Chanel sunglasses, or a new cell phone to be happy. I have been flooded with the realization of the degree that materialism has entered my life style. We value our possessions too highly. In doing so, we've distorted the values of honesty, loyalty, love and respect for one another. Important events are blown up into full-fledged feasts that border on gluttony when compared to the Mentawai who struggle to locate food. In a way, modern society has forgotten what it means to really fell and experience what it means to be human.

Life is like a giant mud puddle; we can choose safety and comfort by walking around the puddle and accept an easy way of life. Or, we can choose to push our comfort zones, question current practices, challenge the status quo, dare to appreciate that society so different from our own can be inspiring.

Mary Rugh (aged 15), USA

The moment we were welcomed into the uma with the heart-warming greeting of 'Aloeta' it became apparent to me that the following days would be enriching. The Mentawai Magic experience has forced me to challenge what I always thought I knew.

In general, youth of today (my peers) have developed a 'paradise complex' of aiming for wealth, consumption, success and fame. Those of us from developed countries think in terms of homogeneity of thinking and action. The expectations of our society mould us by completing a specific type of education, reading the 'right' books, and visiting trendy vacation resorts. Western values and rites of passage such as the coming of age at 16, 18 and 21 are significant anniversaries because we gain independence and privileges. Yet, this is irrelevant for the Mentawai because they have their rites of passage at an earlier age without the knowledge of how old they are and as a result of being adequately prepared by their clan.

My society blurs the line between need and want. I emerged from Siberut with an altered perspective on the way I live my life. I definitely appreciate that which I have and I want less. It is possible to enjoy life without giving into consumerism. I welcome opportunities such as this 'journey', as it has enhanced my ability to be a divergent thinker.

Anjalie Badloe (aged 13), Holland/Australia

As an educator, my goal is to help people make positive decisions in their lives for themselves and for others. In order to do so, we all need to be aware of the possibilities that are available to us. Our lives can be described as a series of decisions. By expanding my students' awareness of life's possibilities, I hope to empower them to see that they can direct their lives as the desire, and in doing so aim for their dreams.

Ben Lewis (teacher), USA

I give thanks for the dedicated teachers who influenced my own children. In thanks, I give my students opportunities for experiences beyond textbooks. Geography, business and economic theories must be experienced, smelled, heard and felt. The theory of globalization is absolutely frightening to me! I fear cultural and ecological diversity will be annihilated on the globe so my students need to experience life beyond textbooks. It is thrilling when they feel passion for their learning, become more and more curious about the world, when they don't accept rote learning and are able to empathize as a result of meeting challenges and interesting people and, at times, learning through heart-rending situations. I can only hope that my students challenge their societal and personal values, and can question the direction they are headed.

Many of them return years later to tell me that service learning projects and adventurous journeys we have experienced together have been life changing opportunities--that is magical! Without the thrills of adventure and learning with passion, I fear we become boring people, boring students, and boring administrators. Getting out of the classroom and away from books from time-to-time enlivens us all. My goal is to have my children, grandchildren and students become better global citizens.

Wow, we educators are indeed an influential group of people.

Gabrielle Zamojski (teacher), Canada