From the Humanities & Cultural Studies Department

Nagoya Schools Visit 2026

At the end of July, we welcomed a group of students and teachers from Nagoya, Japan, to BMGS for four days of school, sightseeing, cultural exchange and getting to know each other.

The visiting students had been selected from seven different schools across Nagoya, so for many of them this was not only their first visit to BMGS, but also their first opportunity to experience life in an Australian school.

During their time with us, the students joined regular classes, attended Chapel and Assembly, visited Elysian Rock and took part in a range of activities with their BMGS buddies. We also held a Cultural Day, giving our visitors the chance to share a little of their own culture with our Year 7s.

Of course, a big part of the visit happened outside the school day. Each student stayed with a BMGS host family, giving them a chance to experience Australian family life and spend some more relaxed time with their buddies. A huge thank you goes to our host families for opening their homes and making our visitors feel so welcome.

While there was plenty packed into the four days, the real purpose of the visit was much simpler. Bringing students together, sharing experiences and learning a little more about each other. Whether it was sitting together in class, sharing lunch, attempting to communicate across a language barrier or just having a laugh, these are the experiences that make exchanges like this worthwhile.

The good news is that the exchange doesn’t end here. In December, a group of BMGS students will travel to Nagoya and visit Yamada High School, our sister school. This time we will get to experience Japanese school and family life, catch up with some familiar faces and continue building the relationship between our schools. And of course, Nagoya will be sending out another group of students next year.

Photos taken at the Cultural Afternoon with Year 7

Tristan Forsyth

Humanities & Cultural Studies