MOST players on the verge of making their NRL debut like Adam Clune would be spending every waking hour training as much as they can.
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But no the Albion Park-Oak Flats product - which speaks volumes to his character.
The 24-year-old, who was recently named in St George Illawarra's development squad, and his partner Bianca O'Neill have just returned from a three-week trip to Kenya.
During their time abroad, the pair volunteered in the Kenyan village of Yala - 42 kilometres from the country's third-largest city Kisumu.
O'Neill volunteered as a nurse in a hospital for World Youth International, while Clune, who completed a law and finance degree at the University of Wollongong in July, worked as a teacher's aid at Yala Township Primary School, where he conducted a number of Australian education sessions.
"We had always wanted to volunteer overseas and Bianca got the opportunity through her work to be part of a program in Kenya - luckily enough I was able to go with her," Clune said to the Dragons media team.
"It was really eye-opening and makes you grateful for what we have here in Australia - it put me outside my comfort zone.
"There's a great disparity between how we live and their way of life over there - a lot of them live on the equivalent of 70 cents Australian per day.
"Most of the Kenyans, who were all super friendly, live in clay huts with tin doors and bigger families - it definitely gave me a good perspective on life.
"It's was a very rewarding and challenging experience - I'm thankful to have had the opportunity and it's one I'll never forget."
Upon his return to Australia, the re-focused Group Seven product began pre-season training with the Dragons on November 9.
"We are very lucky to be able to train and play professionally in a sport we love - I know I don't take it for granted," Clune, who also works part-time for the Rugby League Player's Association, said.
"I know during some of the tougher moments during pre-season, my mind has wandered to Kenya and reinforced how lucky I am to do what I do on a daily basis."
Clune, who has been part of the Dragons system since 2015, enjoyed a breakout season this year with the club - recording 28 try assists in 22 matches, on his way to being named in the Canterbury Cup Team of the Year.
He's hoping to carry that form in 2020 and achieving his lifelong goal of making his NRL debut.
"My goal is to debut in 2020 - that's why you train, that's why you play," he said.
"Being full time, it increases your chances [of playing in the NRL].
"My focus is just on training well, building relationships with my teammates and the coaching staff, and from there focusing on playing good footy week in, week out.
"You want to play in the top-level so the focus is to come here, get fitter, faster and stronger, improve each day and learn from experienced people like Corey Norman and Ben Hunt, and the [club's] good coaching staff."