INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURE
Students from Takamizu High School in Japan have enjoyed an Aussie school and life experience in Townsville, made possible by an exchange program with Southern Cross Catholic College.
The group of Japanese students spent about two weeks embracing Australian school and home life, joining in classes and living with local students to learn about Australian culture. The students joined in English and Japanese lessons among other school classes, and did a range of sightseeing including catching up with Australia’s native animals at Billabong Sanctuary.
Head of Faculty and curriculum leader Angela Marano said Southern Cross Catholic College students greatly enjoyed their visit to Japan last year in the schoolswap exchange program.
“The exchange program we do at Southern Cross is all about integrating students into the real world so they’re able to see how other people live and open up their horizons and opportunities,” Ms Marano said.
“The point of the program is for the students to really get an idea of how we educate our students in Australia, even though we're not far away from each other compared to Europe, and to compare our cultures and for students to experience home life too.
“It’s really important for students to be a part of the global world we live in.”
The program is run by Southern Cross Catholic College specialist Japanese teacher Mark Ivory.
Student Shun Onishi, 17, said there were a lot of big differences between schools in Japan and in Australia.
“It is big, Japanese land is pretty small, and Australian schools have lots of freedom,” he said.