Turn on the radio or television, pick up a newspaper or jump online, and you're likely to come across a story about some of the difficulties many people face around the world.
From conflicts to disease to the impact of natural disasters.
But imagine living out these realities?
Well, that's what happened when a group of schoolchildren in Melbourne were asked to step outside of their own lives and into the lives of children in other parts of the world.
Santilla Chingaipe has the details.
(Click on the audio link above to hear the full report)