Japanese and Italian Visitors at SFX

 By Danielle Madsen, Languages Coordinator

Recently, the Languages Department had the pleasure of hosting students from Takefu Higashi, Japan and II Liceo Bagatta, Desenzano, Italy.

While this is only the second time SFX have hosted our Italian visitors, the exchange program with Takefu Higashi has been taking place now for 14 years.

This was an incredible opportunity for our SFX students and host families to develop a deep cultural understanding, establish close relationships, and to improve communication skills in Japanese and Italian.

For some of our students, they were able to reciprocate the hosting from the 2017 overseas trips, thus maintaining and strengthening friendships.

While our Japanese and Italian visitors were here they enjoyed the traditional sausage sizzle, engaged in different subjects as they shadowed their host student, as well as experiencing specially planned lessons that focused on our Australian culture.

Our Japanese guests, along with their host buddy, visited Parliament House and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, while the Italian guests spent the day at Tidbinbilla where they had a guided tour by an indigenous ranger and spent time exploring the natural beauty of the reserve.

Both exchange programs ended with a farewell party that was held on the last night of their stay.

There was a real buzz of excitement and fun as the students played games, received participation certificates and enjoyed each other’s company.

The exchange program is an extremely valued and worthwhile experience for all parties involved, and a huge thank you must go to the Languages teachers for organising the visit and to the host families for looking after our guests while in Canberra.

We look forward to our overseas trips in 2019 when our students will be hosted by our sister schools in Japan and Italy.