Cultural exchange brings Japan to Medowie

FOR young people growing up in Port Stephens, experiencing another culture doesn’t usually involve getting on a plane.

A visit by Japanese exchange students to Medowie has given local students the chance to discover how much they have in common with teenagers living thousands of kilometres away.

Students and teachers from Ota Daiichi High School in Japan recently spent time at Medowie Christian School as part of a long-running cultural exchange program.

While the visit introduced local students to the Japanese language, customs, education and everyday life, it was also the simple interactions between the teenagers that helped break down cultural barriers.

One Medowie student said it was a very different way of learning about another country.

“Meeting the Japanese students was a really fun experience,” he said.

“It was interesting to learn about what school life is like in another country and the different activities and hobbies they enjoy. I enjoyed getting to know them and making new friends.”

One lesson to emerge was the importance placed on kindness and respect in Japanese culture.

“I learned that Japanese culture places a strong importance on being kind, respectful and polite to others,” the Medowie student said.

“The students were very thoughtful and friendly, which helped me to understand how much they value showing respect to the people they meet.”

Some of the most effective cultural exchanges happened away from formal activities.

“I enjoyed playing soccer with Masu and Arata. It was a great way to have fun together, even though we came from different countries, and it helped us get to know each other better.”

Sharing Japanese snacks was also part of the experience.

“I was surprised by how quickly they made us feel comfortable. They were very generous and even brought some of their favourite snacks from Japan for us to try, which was a really nice gesture.”

Medowie Christian School principal Daniel Weeks said the relationship with Ota Daiichi High School had become important to the school community.

“We highly value the opportunity to partner with the staff and students from Ota Daiichi High School,” he said.

“Each year our students look forward to welcoming them and learning what life and learning is like in Japan.

“It’s a privilege for our community to share in this cultural exchange program.

“It challenges our students as they communicate, strengthens our culture as we learn about theirs and helps us reflect our values as we share what God has blessed us with.”

For his students, the value of the exchange extended beyond learning about Japan.

“Cultural exchange programs help young people learn about different countries and cultures,” Mr Weeks said.

“They give students the chance to make new friends, gain new perspectives and better understand people from different backgrounds.”

By Jacie WHITFIELD