On Saturday, 38 of our Year 8 and 9 students set off for their exchange adventures in Madrid and Osaka. Accompanied by Fabian Mandrini, Yolanda Fernandez and Hiroko Yamaguchi, students will strengthen their language skills, building independence and responsibility as they immerse themselves in new cultures.
We can’t wait to hear their stories and the insights they’ll bring back to our Community on their return. Meanwhile, see how their first week abroad went.
Madrid, spain
During their first week in Madrid, our students had the opportunity to visit the historic city of Segovia. As they walked through the charming old town, they admired the ancient Roman aqueduct, the magnificent Gothic cathedral and the impressive Alcázar castle. The visit offered a meaningful glimpse into Spain’s rich history and culture.
Osaka, Japan
Students arrived on Sunday morning in Tokyo and kicked off their adventure with their first shopping experience at a Japanese convenience store – a place they described as a “food museum.” They then flew to Osaka, where they met their host families and spent the afternoon settling in. The host families kindly offered warm hospitality, taking students out and providing delicious meals.
The following day was a whole-school excursion, so they travelled to Kyoto to explore its traditional streets and enjoy the city’s rich history and culture. Highlights included visiting Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple, and savouring beautiful little Temari-zushi.
At Osaka International School, the students were warmly welcomed by both teachers and peers, received a tour of the campus and joined lessons alongside their buddies. The day concluded with a welcome party organised by the school’s ambassador team. IGS students had lots of fun playing games with Japanese students and have begun their school life in Japan in a very positive and enthusiastic way.
On Thursday, students spent the morning at school, and in the afternoon went on an excursion to Osaka Castle. Friday offered a blend of traditional and modern cultural activities, where our students learned robot programming and took part in a flower arrangement workshop. This week continues to provide a variety of enriching experiences — and our students are embracing every opportunity with enthusiasm.
We look forward to sharing more about their incredible journeys in the weeks to come!
