A 16-year link between schools in Armidale, Australia and Osaka, Japan, were strengthened during a cross-cultural visit recently.
A group of primary students from The Armidale School (TAS) gained many new insights when they were hosted by Tezukayama Gakuin Elementary School (TEZ), Osaka.
Tezukayama is a large independent primary school of around 700 students, all from one of Japan’s largest cities.
During the eight-day visit, the TAS students were billeted with host families. While some spoke very little English, they accompanied their young guests on various adventures, including visits to Osaka Castle, Kyoto Studio Park, Kayakuan Aquarium, Universal Studios, a baseball game, Kobe Maritime Museum and Kawasaki World, as well as participating in a range of shared classroom activities. The visitors also took in impressive world heritage cultural sites at Kyoto, including the Kiyomizudera (Pure Water Temple).
“Without exception, the boys relished both the school-based activities and sight-seeing opportunities, and one could see that the Japanese ethos of putting others first definitely forged its way into the way our boys interacted with both their peers and the locals they encountered,” said teacher Mr Alex Portell.
“They regularly used the Japanese language to communicate, starting with the basic phrases of introduction and manners. It has been truly impressive to witness the enthusiasm and heart felteffort they all showed in engaging with the Tezukayama community and the activities they experienced. The cultural differences they overcame and embraced and the new friends they made are sure to be ingrained in their memories forever.”
TAS Head of Junior School Ian Lloyd, who went on the trip, said the cultural exchange was a unique opportunity in which students not just explored and experienced another culture, but developed responsibility and character.
“It was truly wonderful to see just how much these boys were banding together and proving themselves capable of feats previously unthought of. Noticeably, the boys were impressed at the way the Japanese students, teachers and families welcomed us and showed respect to each other, which soon began to rub off.”
