Nevers High School
School Profile
| School Name | St Eugene College |
|---|---|
| Location | Australia (Oceania) |
Outline
| Length of Travel | 6 days, 5 nights |
|---|---|
| Locations Visited | Tokyo, Nagano, and Kyoto |
| Time of Travel | September 2016 |
| Age of Participating Students | 16-18 years old |
| Number of Participants |
20 people 17 students, 3 faculty members, and 0 tour guides |
| Learning Themes | Traditional culture Natural environment Japanese food |
| Purpose | School Exchange |
| Host School (School Exchange) | Ueda Western High School |
Locations Visited
Day 1
Tokyo
Arrive at Haneda Airport , Tokyo sightseeing
hotel
Tokyo
Day 2
Matsumoto city (Nagano)
- soba-making experience and lunch
- Matsumoto Castle
hotel
Matsumoto City (hotel)
Tourist Spot
Matsumoto castle open_in_new
Starting from Fukashi Castle which was built during the Eisho period of the Warring States period, Matsumoto Castle has become a National Treasure as the oldest extant five structure/six story castle in Japan. Its contrasting black and white, against the shining Japanese Alps makes for splendid scenery.
Takagi open_in_new
SOBA noodles cooking class
Day 3
Mt. Yatsugatake (Nagano)
- Mt.Yatsugatake visit (stroll through the mountain top garden)
- Nagato Farm (visit and lunch)
- Home of Japanese Paper Tateiwa visit (Japanese fan making experience)
hotel
Around Ueda City (homestay)
Tourist Spot
Mt.Yatsugatake
Nagato Farm
Home of Japanese Paper Tateiwa
Day 4
Ueda City (Nagano)
School Exchange with Ueda Western High School
hotel
Around Ueda City (homestay)
Day 5
Ueda - Matsumoto (Nagano) - Kyoto
- Daio Wasabi Farm (Wasabi field visit)
- Matsumoto City (Clock Museum visit, Matsumoto Tanabata doll making experience) visit
- Travel to Kyoto
hotel
Kyoto (hotel)
Day 6
Kyoto - Osaka
- Kyoto Sightseeing
- Departure from Kansai International Airport
Host School (School Exchange)
location_cityHost School
| Location | Nagano |
|---|---|
| School Name | Ueda Western High School |
location_cityProgram
| 10:00 |
Welcome Ceremony
 |
|---|---|
| 11:00 |
Lunch (cafeteria)  |
| 12:00 |
Ueda Western High School ECC Club (English Communication Club)
 |
| 13:00 |
Join in club activities:
  |
| 15:50 |
Origami experience |
| 16:00 |
Farewell Interview
 |
| 17:00 |
Send-off |
Reviews
location_cityFaculty feedback and advice for success
Teacher
Mr. Peter Orton
I would like to have lots of experiences in the land of beauty and wonder of nature.
While learning words is also possible in the classroom, in order to acquire the true sense of those words, I think it is necessary to spend 24 hours in the environment associated with that word, and to listen carefully to the words I wish to learn and use.
This time we will visit Japan on an educational trip for the second time. The reason for adopting the educational travel program in Nagano prefecture is to be able to have many cultural experiences such as making fans.
Since Australia is a historically young country, it does not have a strong cultural background like Japan. I believe that many cultural experiences in Japan will be very good experiences for the students.
Also, since some of the students have never left their parents, I think that this educational travel is a good opportunity for them to develop independence.
Japan is safe and everyone is very kind. Nagano is rich in greenery and the natural environment is wonderful.
I would like the students to experience as many things as possible on this trip.
location_city Reviews from Students
Bryce Devlin
Homestay and school exchange in Japan deepened my knowledge of culture and words, and expanded my horizons.
What I enjoyed the most during this trip to Japan was staying with my Japanese family at their home. Japanese customs such as greetings and etiquette are quite different from Australia. The most interesting thing I found was bowing.
In addition, I could see various beautiful natural scenes. Such views of mountains and greenery cannot be found in my country of Australia.
On the other hand, it was difficult for me to speak Japanese quickly and sometimes I could not keep up.
The exchanges with the homestay family, and the teachers and students of this school expanded my horizons and increased my knowledge of Japanese culture and Japanese. I am very happy that I was able to practically apply the Japanese I studied in Australia and that my Japanese ability had further improved.
Alicia Fag
I was perplexed by completely different customs, but the differences made me realize many things.
Before coming to Japan, I thought that the Japanese were busy and this was a day-to-day fact. However, when I actually arrived, everyone was very calm and I seemed to be able to take life as it came.
Moreover, I think Japanese people are very polite, respecting each other, and constantly deferring to the wishes of others. I think this is truly wonderful.
Speaking of an unusual experience in Japan is food. I would have to give the example of okra, as I have never eaten okra before.
In addition, there were differences with my lifestyle in Australia such as how to wear slippers in the house, and saying “itadakimasu” before meals. This was a little hard to get used to.
Exchange in Japan made me aware of many things. I think that it is meaningful and wonderful to visit Japan where even the exposure to Japan and Japanese culture is a profound experience.
Highlights
