In the last week of the holidays and week one of this term, 30 students from four countries participated in the 5 Schools Exchange programme. 

This programme lasted two weeks, and involved Marian College and Shirley Boys' High School from New Zealand, Nanjing Foreign Language School from China, Salesian College from Australia and the host school, Toho High School in Japan.  

Molly Maynard, Georgia Crowther, Emma Ryan, Jennah Brennan, Imogen Whaley and Sophie Connor were fortunate to be chosen to represent Marian on this exchange.

Across these two weeks in Japan, we strengthened the bond between our schools by participating in many cultural activities that helped us learn about each country's traditions.  We taught the other schools classic Kiwi games such as Pūkana and Rākau.  We learnt the Chinese art of knot tying, and we danced the Heel and Toe Polka (taught by Salesian) and the Sōran Bushi (taught by the Toho students).  We also attended a tea ceremony and wore Kimono, not to mention some good shopping experiences. 

The topic of discussion for this year's exchange was over-tourism and the effects it has on different countries, as well as potential solutions.  We prepared a 20 minute presentation before we left and fielded lots of questions.  We also continued looking at this topic while we were there with groups of five - one from each of the schools. 

During our time in Japan, we visited Nara and Kyoto, two popular tourist’s destination north of Nagoya. 

In these places, severe over-tourism was evident; the streets were crowded, areas were loud and unsanitary, and prices were inflated.  It helped us understand more why Toho has chosen this theme for the exchange. 

We were fortunate to be hosted by generous and hospitable homestay families where we learned more Japanese, learned about the culture, helped prepare meals and helped teach them some English.  The time spent with our homestay families and meeting their friends was a major highlight for all of us.  It was also great to spend time with Hina again, who was at Marian College last year. 

Jennah Brennan, Imogen Whaley and Sophie Connor