During the October holidays, we kick started our Study Tour program again with our combined Para Hills High School and School of Languages Japan Study Tour.

Students were hosted by Para Hills sister school, Kashima Gakuen in Ibaraki prefecture. Our students had the opportunity to get involved with Japanese school life and spent a weekend hosted by local Japanese families. They then continued their tour visiting some famous landmarks – Shibuya crossing, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. Students also had the opportunity to spend a day at Tokyo Disneyland. Our students reported that they had an amazing time, and their spoken Japanese was noticeably improved, which was particularly beneficial for those preparing for Stage 2 oral exams, held soon after their return.

We thank Para Hills High School, in particular International Student Program Manager and Japanese teacher Candice Ferguson, for her tireless work preparing for the trip and leading the tour. She was joined by Adla Mattiske and Nick McIver; whose fantastic photographs appear below. Many thanks to our own Ben Anderson and Barbara Smith who worked behind the scenes also to prepare students for their experience.