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Takasago students visit LatrobeTen students from Latrobe’s Japanese sister city, Takasago, reported that the highlight of their recent visit to Latrobe City was the home-stay program where they boarded with local families around the area. By Latrobe City Council - 6th September 2006 - Back to News Latrobe City mayor, councillor Lisa Price, said that the students aged between 13 and 15 years old, spent nearly a week visiting local attractions and experiencing Australian life.
"On arrival, the students and their accompanying adults Ms Makiko Tada who works for Takasago International Association and Mr Mizuki Ohigashi, tour conductor, were welcomed at a party hosted by council. The students were introduced to their host families and they spent a free weekend with the families, enjoying a taste of Australian life," Cr Price said.
Latrobe City’s international relations officer, Yuki Poole said that the busy itinerary allowed adults and students to enjoy the best of the local attractions.
"The first port of call was the Gippsland Heritage Park where the students were thrilled to see the heritage buildings, especially the old school room. They were treated to an Aussie lunch followed by a PowerWorks tour. After a community presentation at council, the students were collected by their host families for the weekend," Ms Poole explained.
"The community presentation performed by the students was of the highest calibre. The students educated Latrobe City staff, community members and their host families on where they come from and what daily life is like as a high school student in our Japanese sister city. They entertained their audience with songs, including a number that even had Mayor Lisa Price joining the students up front singing and clapping.
"After their free weekend, the students enjoyed a visit to Monash University Gippsland, Flinders College and a trip to Morwell Ten Pin Bowling with Latrobe City’s Youth Council.
"The delegation then stayed overnight at Rawson and the following morning went on a high ropes and flying fox training course. The afternoon saw the students visiting Walhalla and experiencing the gold mine tour before attending a farewell barbecue dinner at council’s corporate headquarters," Ms Poole said.
Cr Price added that whilst the delegation visited many attractions during their stay, it was the chance to stay with an Australian family that proved to be the big winner.
"This was an important part of the tour for the students and adults, as it was a chance to really experience Australian life. To live, eat and spend time with an Australian family highlighted both the differences and the similarities between Australian and Japanese culture. This sort of opportunity is once-in-a-lifetime and we hope that the young people will be able to draw upon this cultural experience in the future," Cr Price concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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