Japanese Exchange Program

We are fortunate to participate in a wide range of exchange programs to benefit student learning, including hosting a Japanese Intern in Terms 2 and 3 who assists in each of our Japanese classrooms, as well as hosting students from a range of schools in Japan.

In Term 1, we host students from Shibuya Junior High School at our Officer Campus. Four students from Tokyo also attend classes for all of Term 1 at Beaconsfield.

In Term 3, our Berwick Campus hosts an exchange with Sakuragaoka High School, while Beaconsfield becomes home to two students from the school for the month of August. Many students take this as an opportunity to enhance their Japanese language knowledge, and Japanese greetings and introductions are heard being practised every day.

Our Japan exchange students participate in all classes with their host brother or sister, giving other students a chance to talk to them and engage in learning. The students also have an opportunity to participate in some Australian culture classes including an AFL clinic, baking ANZAC biscuits and learning about Aboriginal culture through art. At the conclusion of each day, the exchange students return home to their Australian host family and begin forging many strong friendships and memories.

The opportunity to host exchange students is a valuable and rewarding experience for our students. Through cultural exchange the students learn more about life in other countries and the similarities and differences between Australia and the world. It is through the generosity shown by families in our community that such exchanges are possible and so many at our College can benefit.