After a six-year hiatus, the long-awaited exchange program with Japan resumed this year. On September 22nd, nineteen senior students embarked on a journey to Kumagaya, Invercargill’s sister city, to continue our sister-school exchange. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a humid 28°C, a drastic change from the 10°C when we left home! We were fortunate to explore historical sites like Naritasan Shinshōji Temple, built in 940 AD, and the cutting-edge Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) before settling into Kuma Nishi High School, our home for the next eight days. Our homestay experience provided an authentic glimpse into Japanese life and culture, boosting our students’ confidence in speaking Japanese. At Kuma Nishi, we participated in special cultural classes, including origami and judo, and ventured on exciting excursions like white-water rafting on traditional boats in Nagatoro.
As our time in Kumagaya drew to a close, we bid a sad farewell to our hosts before travelling to the vibrant city of Tokyo, our base for the next five days. We marvelled at the history within the city, such as the stunning Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa and the serene Meiji Shrine in Shibuya, and immersed ourselves in the bustling streets of Harajuku, Akihabara, and Ikebukuro. We ascended the world’s tallest tower, the Skytree, and navigated the labyrinthine Tokyo Metro. Our last few days in Japan were filled with fun and unique experiences: cosy cat cafes, lively karaoke sessions, captivating Teamlab (an immersive art installation), endless shopping opportunities, and exciting arcade games.
This unforgettable adventure has forged lifelong friendships, and many of us eagerly anticipate returning to this incredible country. It was truly the trip of a lifetime.
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