A GROUP of students have swapped the hustle and bustle of one of Japan’s largest cities for the peacefulness of Cohuna.
Fifteen students from Osaka City Senior High School have spent the week learning about Australia through their interactions with Cohuna Secondary College students and local host families.
The group – the first from the school to visit the town – interacted with local students and took time to experience the differences between their home city, which has a population of six million, and the local district.
“We’ve had quite a lot of fun and had new experiences, especially through the abundance of nature in the area,” the school’s English teacher, Naoki Togawa said.
“We would like to see this relationship continue.”
The contingent arrived in Australia last week, visiting the Queen Victoria Market last Saturday before venturing to Cohuna.
The group have spent the week with local host families, who are helping the teenagers gain an insight into the Australian way of life.
Excursions to Gunbower National Park and a wildlife park at Kyabram have also helped enhance the tour.
“The Japanese visit complements our international programs that run across different countries,” college principal, Stephen Brain said.
“We’ve recently had students return from an excursion to New Zealand, some of our year 12s will take part in the Alternative Schoolies trip to Cambodia, and one of our students will visit Osaka later this year.”
The school and host families gathered for a farewell event with their new Japanese friends last night.
