Have a great adventure - experience a new culture and learn some of the language ..... volunteer in community projects, live with a local family and attend a local school .....
The program here in Sutherland Shire:
Each July, usually on the Friday of the second week in Term 3, approximately 24 students from four Junior High Schools in Chuo City arrive in the Sutherland Shire to experience living with a Shire family for 8 nights. After spending a weekend with their host family, they attend school for 3 days with their Aussie Host student (or with other students if approved by the Association and the school). The students and their host families attend a Mayoral reception at the Sutherland Council together with the Sutherland Shire students who will be travelling to Japan later in the year.
The Chuo City students, together with their Aussie Host students volunteer with Sutherland Shire Bushcare in beach regeneration projects, as well as either learning about volunteer surf-lifesaving with a local Surf Club or AFL with AFL NSW. The Chuo City students visit a local Primary school to exchange cultural activities with the students.
The program in Japan:
Every year up to 12 students from the Sutherland Shire travel to Chuo City, Tokyo for 15-17 days to experience a different culture, language and school. (the final maximum number to be advised by Chuo City)
The Sutherland Shire students who travel to Japan visit Tokyo Disneyland, tour Tokyo City and visit many famous Tokyo sites. They are hosted by families in Tokyo for 7 nights and attend their host school for three days. They are presented to the Mayor of Chuo City at a formal reception followed by a tour of Tokyo. The students volunteer at a local Kindergarten or junior school.
As well as homestay the students usually travel to a rural area for a 1-2 night Volunteering and/or Personal Challenge program.
The program gives the students the opportunity to experience the famous Shinkansen (Bullet) train between the new capital of Tokyo and the old capital of Kyoto. In Kyoto they stay for 2-4 nights possibly including staying in Temple accommodation, where they will learn about Zen meditation, or even a typically Japanese Pod Hotel. The group will also stay in traditional accommodation unique to the Kyoto district. In Kyoto the students visit the Golden Temple and spend a day visiting Nara to see the world famous Todaiji temple.
Students also take lessons with local Masters in pottery, martial arts and/or Taiko drumming!