Student Exchange

The following student accounts provide an insight into their recent Student Exchange experience. 

Exploring Japan

Over the summer break, I went to Japan and attended our sister school, Sundai Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture, within our school’s exchange program. It was quite nerve-racking, staying with a family that I had never met and not having my own family with me, but thankfully they were understanding and welcoming. I had a lot of fun.

I really enjoyed going to school because I liked how Japanese schools had a variety of after school clubs. There were numerous categories of clubs such as sports, art, culture and language clubs. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to the Badminton club, Tea club and English club after school across various days and made a lot of friends there.

When I wasn’t going to school, I was out with my host family or hanging out with my new friends. Even though Yamanashi is more of a country area, it had beautiful shrines and tall mountains that I really enjoyed exploring.

I highly encourage the exchange program because it is a very exciting and unique experience for each person, and you can make life-long relationships through it. 

If I had the chance to, I would definitely do it again.

Kai Bodel

Year 11 Student

New Experiences in Japan

During the summer holidays, I went to Kofu, Japan for an exchange program at our sister school, Sundai Kofu High School. 

Briefly after arriving to the school, I was met with open arms despite my limited Japanese capabilities. During my time at the school, I was able to meet new people, take part in the badminton club, and experience Japanese culture. Similarly, I received a warm welcome from my host-family, meeting their many pets and enjoyed my host-father’s hot spring business and bakery. Most days, I attended school which was quite contrasting to school in Australia but was fun to be able to experience new incomprehensible subjects and just observe school-life. Despite the challenges, I was able to get through the two months with ease as I was able to pick up the language and culture. My highlight of this exchange program was visiting Mt. Fuji as I was able to take a lot of photos! 

Additionally, I was also able to go on a short visit to Tokyo where I was able to visit my host-brother’s international dorm and speak to the various people there. Through this experience, I was able to truly immerse myself in Japanese culture and would highly recommend this experience to anyone!

Matthew Tan

Year 11 Student

Exploring Germany

For two months over the summer school holidays, I was on student exchange in Germany. 

I stayed in Bavaria, around an hour east from Munich. The exchange was one of the best adventures of my life so far. I have now had so many new and amazing experiences. I visited many old castles and participated in lots of winter sports, such as skiing and ice skating.

Everyone was so welcoming, and I can say I’ve made some lifelong friends. My friends and my exchange family really made my exchange amazing. I was able to improve my German skills and better understand German culture. One highlight was the Christmas markets. Many of the stalls were filled with handmade ornaments and gifts. Another highlight was the travelling I got to do. I was able to go to Salzburg and Paris, as well as spend a week in Berlin as part of my exchange program. 

This exchange has given me memories I will treasure forever. If anyone is considering going on exchange, I would highly recommend it. 

It is a once in a lifetime experience that I guarantee you will not regret.

Rachel Ratsch

Year 11 Student

Discovering German Culture

Over the summer holidays I had the amazing opportunity to embark on an 8-week student exchange to Bavaria, Germany. This opportunity gave me invaluable immersion in German culture, greatly developed my language skills, broadened my world view and flourished my independence in ways never possible back home. 

I exited the plane over 15 thousand kilometres outside my comfort zone, with unimaginable experiences ahead of me. Bavaria had so much to offer, including but not limited to Bamberg, Nuremberg, Rothenberg, Munich, and of course the fairytale castles of Füssen surrounded by the German Alps which were nothing less than a winter wonderland.

When I wasn’t feasting my eyes upon natural and historical wonders, I was stuffing my face with German delicacies, of which nothing has managed to compare to the fresh baked goods, Bratwurst, Döner or Knödel. 

Simple day to day life became equally as exciting as a holiday, and I quickly fell in love with their small city Erlangen. The medieval old town centre, the bakeries and the atmospheric Christmas markets awed me just as much each day. Though socialising in my second language, which is rusty at best, proved challenging. 

It was extremely rewarding to make my way through simple German interactions and be liberated with the independence of navigating the city by myself. The peace and space this exchange gave me will surely fuel the final stretch of Year 12 and equip me with even more hopes and aspirations for the future, after this sneak peak of just how big the world is.

Of course, I have my amazing host family to thank for the most enriching and memorable days of my life. Thanks to the exchange structure, where I had already bonded and lived with my exchange partner Kayla, I had an extra level of assurance, and comfort that I was in good hands. I had the privilege to join a family dynamic that was nothing but warm.

You can always be a tourist, but nothing compares to being immersed in another culture, family and way of life. I’ve learnt more about myself and the world through this exchange than textbooks could ever teach me, and I strongly encourage younger year levels to consider partaking in an exchange program themselves. 

Even though the challenges and journey are big, the rewards are so much bigger. 

Amity Williams

Year 12 Student

Germany: An Incredible Experience

Over the summer holidays, I went to Germany. 

It was an incredible experience. I made a lot of friends there, both at the school I went to with my exchange partner, Paula, and also with other Australian students. We spent a week in Berlin together, looking at all the sights, such as the Berlin wall, the TV tower, a bunker, and a concentration camp.

For me, the bunker was a special highlight, as our tour guide was very funny sharing with us the history of the bunkers. They had never been used and wouldn’t actually be very safe, as Berlin was unlikely to be bombed in the event of a war, and were actually only there to make the citizens feel safe.

We went to Nuremburg a couple times and went to many Christmas markets. These Christmas markets felt very festive, with people all around selling wooden trinkets, Bratwurst, Gluhwein, and Kinderpunsch. 

I also spent a few days in Munich, going to the mountains and the city. We went sledding, and I built a snowman for the first time.

Overall, the exchange was an incredible experience that I would highly recommend for everyone.

Naomi Mann

Year 11 Student