ACADEMIC Exchanges enrich lives
It is an amazing world out there – and going on an exchange opens up many opportunities to benefit from the experience of time spent living and learning, immersed in another culture. Recently, College students have gone to Japan and France, and College has hosted students from Japan and Hungary.
JAPAN Over the summer holidays, Year 13 students Caelan Murch and Jack Tracy spent several weeks living in Japan, going to school at Konan Boys’ High School in Kobe. Both say it was an extraordinary time, with life in Japan very different from New Zealand. “Japan is so crowded and busy and has such a fast pace of life. Everything happens at speed … it’s kind of crazy, kind of awesome,” says Caelan. Nevertheless, they jumped right in, embraced the experience, and took every opportunity to explore their surroundings. Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara are discrete cities that together form one huge metropolitan area. Caelan and Jack were both hosted by Ryo Toyoshima in Kobe, and Jack also spent a couple of weeks with Kippei Minami in Osaka. They returned the favour, with Ryo and Kippei coming to College. They spent time at Jack’s family home and also based with Caelan, boarding in Richards House. Ryo and Kippei say they enjoyed the more relaxed lifestyle here, the space, and easy access to parks and gardens. Ryo played in the Big Band and enjoyed sailing.
Their main goal while in New Zealand was to improve their English language skills.
Christ’s College Canterbury
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