A special Japanese exchange

By Michele Sharp, Head of Languages

Radford regularly accepts exchange students. It is a wonderful chance for students to hone their language skills, and it provides a valuable opportunity to develop cultural intelligence and global understanding. Due to COVID-19, it has been a little while since we have had overseas visitors, but we were very excited to welcome Sawako Masui from Doushisha Girls’ High School in Kyoto, Japan, last week.

Sawako has some very special connections with Radford and Canberra, as you can read in Jake Smith’s item below. This is a wonderful example of how an exchange can have a multi-generational positive impact. We are always grateful to families who accept exchange students within our community, and hope that they will form lifelong relationships, like that of Jake and Sawako’s families.

By Jake Smith, Year 11

Last weekend, Radford welcomed Sawako Masui from Japan (Year 11) to the school for a month-long cultural exchange. Sawako is staying with me while she is in Australia.

In July 1992, Sawako’s mother, Yukiko, stayed with my mother, Narelle, for a month-long exchange in Canberra. Narelle then stayed with Yukiko's family in Nagoya, six months later. Our families have remained firm friends. Sawako’s family has stayed with my family on several occasions over the years, and my family has stayed with Sawako’s family in Japan.

When my mother, Narelle, approached Radford Head of Languages, Michele Sharp, about a cultural exchange with Radford, the school was only too happy to oblige, knowing the many benefits a cultural exchange can bring to the broader school community.

Sawako has had an eventful week already, having spent a few days in Perisher with me and the Radford Snowsports family, learning to ski and watching Radford compete in the Interschools Skiing events. She has been attending my Year 11 classes, as well as the Year 11 Japanese class where she has enjoyed assisting the students with their Japanese. Sawako has immersed herself in school life already, having also attended the Year 12 Revue last weekend.

Sawako has already made several new friends and she said, “Everyone has been so kind, and Canberra is such a beautiful place.”

She is looking forward to furthering her English and experiencing the many opportunities that Radford and Canberra provide.