Three years ago, students from a local Islamic school were thrust into stardom.
They might not have reached the heights of Brad Pitt or Nicole Kidman, but households across the nation recognised their faces.
And it was all for a good cause – showcasing Logan’s spirit of diversity and acceptance.
Now, the documentary the students appeared on has been picked up by Netflix.
And it didn’t take long for the show to land on the streaming service’s “Top 10” streamed shows in the country.
The Swap, which originally aired on SBS in 2022, follows students from the Islamic College of Brisbane (ICB), state and Catholic schools as they swap lives, immersing themselves in brand new cultures.
The show was intended to breakdown stereotypes and build bridges between cultutures.
The series has now reached a broader audience on Netflix, sparking discussions on diversity and acceptance.
ICB CEO Ali Kadri, the brains behind the show’s concept, said love of The Swap had reignited.
“I have since received over 150 emails, letters, and comments since the show debuted on Netflix from around the country from people of diverse backgrounds,” Mr Kadri said.
“In fact, I was at another Islamic school and a young student approached me from that school and said, ‘Sir, I saw the show on Netflix and I’m so proud that you did that.’”
Since the show’s initial airing, Mr Kadri has observed significant changes within his own school community, with students becoming more open to learning about different faiths.
“Since the introduction of The Swap, we have been able to introduce a study of religion at our school, where students are learning about Christianity, Judaism, and other religions,” he said.
For the students who participated in The Swap, their lives were no longer the same.
Mr Kadri said two of the three girls who participated from ICB were elected as school captains after the show finished.
“The students are much more open-minded and accepting of diversity,” he said.
“That was the key goal for our students, and we’ve achieved that.”
The influence of the program has extended beyond the initial participants.
Mr Kadri said students had since taken the initiative to be more engaged in broader cultural and community events.
“For example, we’re sending a group of students to the ANZAC Day ceremony, which was an idea that came directly from them,” he said.
“It has certainly opened their minds.”
Netflix’s global reach has amplified the program’s impact, introducing the conversation to a wider audience.
“Even within Netflix, it was in the top 10 for TV shows in Australia last week,” Mr Kadri said.
“That highlights that there’s a need for more conversations like this.”
Beyond the individual growth of students, Mr Kadri believes the series has had a broader impact on cultural dialogue in Australia.
“In a diverse and multicultural country like ours, the more we get to know each other, the better we understand one another,” he said.
“We can’t expect people to meet us where we are if we aren’t willing to meet them halfway.”
Reflecting on his own journey as a migrant, Mr Kadri acknowledged the reciprocal nature of cultural exchange.
“When migrants come to Australia, they certainly change Australia, but Australia changes them too,” he said.
“When I travel back to my home country of India, people can tell I’m not from there anymore. It’s because Australia has had an impact on me.”
With The Swap gaining new traction on Netflix, Mr Kadri hopes it will encourage more programs that foster cross-cultural connections.
“We need more of this,” he said.
“It’s not enough to counter the negativity and divisions happening in the world. We need more understanding, more conversations, and more willingness to learn from each other.”
