A few weeks ago, some College families had the opportunity to host exchange students from Takayamamura School in Japan. Here is a few reflections from host families:
We didn't really know what to expect when we answered the school's urgent request to host two Japanese exchange students. A short phone call from some Staff gave us some guidance of how we should prepare, "Just your usual weekend routine and a space for them to sleep. Would you mind taking three boys?" Our house has plenty of space and so it was not a great stretch to accommodate 3 boys as they wanted to stay together if it was possible! We gladly welcomed them home on the Friday afternoon with a quick walk around our local area followed by a gathering of items from the supermarket. They picked homemade hamburgers for dinner. We traded snacks after dinner sampling some super sour gumballs and cheese rice sticks.
Saturday was a road trip along the south coast taking in the Seacliff Bridge, Shellharbour and into the Minnamurra Rainforest National Park where we encountered Lyre Birds. Berry Donut van was a necessary stop, not just for coffee but the iconic doughy treats. The overnight destination was Sussex Inlet as we knew we could get the boys up close to some Kangaroos. Night two dinner was a classic barbeque followed by toasting marshmellows over the fire pit.
On the Sunday we had access to a boat, sunny weather but an unwelcomed chilly breeze. We persisted and treated the 3 boys to fishing. Luck was not with us and no bites were had. Since the boys indicated they lived inland in Japan being by the ocean was an experience. Some ancient shell fossils were located in the rocks by the beach. We saw another mob of kangaroos before leaving Sussex and heading to Bendeela in Kangaroo Valley where we knew there would be wombats grazing at sunset. It was dark by the time we climbed the steep road out of the valley and returned home. Monday was the boys chance to see more wildlife at Sydney Zoo before their last night staying with us. This opportunity saw another fire pit and more marshmellows where the boys revealed they were training in Kendo.
The experience of hosting three teenage boys with very minimal English was excellent! Google translate allowed instruction and explanation to bridge the language gap. The boys were extremely polite and grateful for our hospitality. I believe they will always look back on their experience to Australia as a great one.
The Chipperfield Family
We had a great pleasure hosting Moa and Juri (Japanese students from Takayama Junior High School) from 4/8 to 8/8. We loved having the girls over. We became tourists in our own city visiting Luna Park, Opera House and taking the Ferry under the Harbour Bridge. We also did a day driving trip to Bombo Beach and Kiama Blow Hole. We relied on Google translate to communicate and had lots of laughs (things lost in translation ). We experienced Taiwanese Hotpot and Korean BBQ as a family as well. Overall an amazing experience. As first time hosters, we loved learning the Japanese culture and practised our Japanese with them. We look forward to doing it again next year.
The Thornley Family
Hosting 3 students from Takayama, Japan was a real highlight for our family earlier this month. Sena, Yukari and Yuna were delightful and we thoroughly enjoyed introducing them to Sydney. The girls (aged 14 and 15) were keen to experience family life in Australia, to taste our cuisine, to improve their English and to see some tourist sights. Before they arrived, we were provided with a profile for each student that helped us to get to know them. The girls had been learning English at school, and were keen to practise their skills. Although our family do not speak Japanese, communication was not a problem. Sometimes we used google translate to help, but mostly the girls were excellent at communication. We visited the Blue Mountains and Cronulla Beach and the girls were also keen to go shopping. We made Origami together and played Uno. The girls came to church with us on Sunday and we met with friends on Saturday night who were also hosting Japanese students. The girls were very polite and wrote us beautiful messages of thanks before they left. We are very grateful for the opportunity to host the girls, and look forward to opportunities in the future to host other Japanese students.
The Ford Family
Our family recently hosted two Japanese students from Takayama High School, Japan. These boys were immediately warm and smiling as we met in the College quad and their eyes lit up as I handed them each their first Australian Tim Tam. Yuri and Yota were their names, two young teens that were kind, respectful and excited to experience our country. We bonded over the simple things, ten pin bowling, burritos, Mario Kart and games of Uno. We made it a rule to call the colours in Japanese during the game. We showed them our unique Australian animals at Featherdale Farm and their favourite was the koalas. They ‘wowed’ at the expanse of the Jamison valley, the three sisters and the scenic railway and they shopped for iconic Australian food such as Tim Tams, Byron Bay cookies, Smith chips and Australian honey.
We also put on a good Aussie bbq complete with a fire pit and sparklers with another family that were also hosting students so they could share their experience together. The boys spoke what English they could and we thanked them in Japanese for their efforts.
It was a joy to share our home and show them the sights and in return share their joy and wonder at all things Australian. The morning they were to leave they gave us a hand written note in English expressing their gratitude for their time with us and left us with four beautiful origami cranes. We felt truly blessed to be a part the homestay program.
The Hobbins Family
