Aisha Thomas on Sunday was looking forward to leaving her mobile phone behind to set sail on a tall ship for 11 days.
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The Narooma High School student has embarked on a journey of a lifetime aboard the Young Endeavour.
Aisha, 16, may be one of the youngest crew members aboard the 44-metre ship, which will sail from Newcastle to Eden.
Stocked up on anti-sea sickness medication, Aisha wanted to make the most of the voyage.
"I am really looking forward to it, but I am nervous meeting so many new people," she said. "I want to build on my confidence and resilience."
She also felt nervous without any sailing experience, but Narooma High School teacher Jacqueline Bryson sailed on the vessel in 2016 and reassured her.
"You will be fine; I grew up in the Blue Mountains and had no idea about sailing, I am not an ocean person," Ms Bryson said.
Ms Bryson said her experience was life changing: I struggled with confidence and I really wanted to become a teacher. It completely changed my understanding of what I am capable of."
"You are able to focus on yourself and the goals."