Thank you for the opportunity to write an article for your web page.
First and foremost, I am very grateful for the HUMAP scholarship.
It all started with...
The best thing about being a teacher is being able to use Japanese again!
I am a Year 7 to Year 9 Japanese teacher at Hammond Park Secondary College. As I have not taught Japanese before joining this College, I know my level of Japanese is not up to teaching Year 11 and Year 12, however, I intend to see these students through to the Year 12 ATAR (university entrance exam). Without a doubt, I know the only way I can learn and improve fast is to take a year of study leave to study in Japan. In order not to interfere with the students' academic year, I can only take classes in Japan from January to December and Konan University is perfectly timed for the Australian academic year!
The purpose…
My goal has been and always will be to gain a deeper understanding of the richness and depth of Japanese traditions and culture.
During my stay, my goal is to learn sumi-e (ink painting). I also hope to learn about Japanese martial arts culture. It would also be helpful if I could meet with students from the film production club and together we will produce short videos or culture-related skits appropriate for high school students which focus on the importance of respect for diversity and cross-cultural understanding.
Upon my return the year after next, I hope to share what I have learned with my students.
My high school has also requested that I find a sister school from Hyogo and to set up a regional exchange program. After this stay, I would like to prepare a working paper for a sister school partnership.
After completing my studies in Japan, I plan to return to Perth and continue working for the Ministry of Education at my current College. My job as a teacher is extremely rewarding where I am able to nurture, encourage, and prepare children for life in society!

Student’s Life...Exchange...Meal...Studies...
I came to Kobe this January as an exchange student, studying Japanese language, culture, sociolinguistics, festivals and foodways at Konan University. Every day I make new discoveries in Japanese Foodways, which has been exciting and fun, but also quite challenging.
The Konan International Exchange Centre arranged my accommodation in the Hanshin area. The best part of this arrangement is that breakfast and dinner are included. The kitchen is run by a chef and four kitchen staffs, who work in shifts. Dorm residents can choose either Japanese or Western food. Knowing that I am an international student, the staff are all eager to teach me Japanese.
This is where my learning curve begins. Even though the staffs explain the specific names of the dishes and cooking methods every day, there are many things that I do not understand. For example, the name of the dishes, cooking method, and the ingredients. On top of that, I do not know much about food related vocabulary (e.g., Kabayaki, Sanma, Sabamisoni, Aburafu, Tatsuta-age, seaweed, etc.).
I struggled with this experience for a while and have noticed gaps in my understanding. As such, I came up with several strategies. One of them is to always take a notebook and pen with me when I go to the dining hall. If I don't understand something, I will ask the staff member to say it again, slowly. If I still don't get it, I will request for it to be written down in my notebook. Then I would go back to my room to search up the meaning and try to remember it.
What I have learned from this experience is to always have my learning tools ready. If I have a question, I will not hesitate to ask. It is okay to make mistake. The important thing is to learn from mistake. Now, with the same strategy, I am also learning new vocabulary while listening to news in the dining hall!
My stay in Kobe is for both studies and work.
I am in the process of compiling a working paper for my high school to visit Japan. As such, I am looking for educational as well as fun activities for the students.
This trip, I had my first experience with Purikura, and this is definitely an activity that I will plan for the students.
It was also my first time playing Gacha Gacha, which was interesting, and I even got a Pochacco pouch! This is another thing that I will plan for the students.
I will continue to look for activities for the students!

The Process of Searching for a Sister School
This is my third and last post on HUMAP. In my first post, I mentioned about finding a sister school in Hyogo. While there are many wonderful experiences such as Kabuki and cycling on the Shimanami Kaido that I would like to share, I feel it is important to introduce the process of finding a sister school in Hyogo Prefecture in my last post. Going forward, I would be happy if this post could help anyone who is looking for a sister school in Hyogo Prefecture.
　My search for a sister school in Hyogo, sister city of Western Australia, began in February when I was introduced to the Director of International Exchange Promotion at the Hyogo International Association.
　The Director was very impressed with what our College in Australia had done for the Japanese exchange students and began promoting our College to Hyogo Arts and Culture Association on our behalf. A few days later, I received an e-mail from the Supervisor/Advisor of the Association and a meeting was set up.
　At this meeting, the Supervisor asked about the College's vision and values, how I felt about the College as a staff member, what I thought about the students, what sister schools I was looking for ...... and other questions. From the questions asked, I understand that he was trying to find the best fit for the College (and his secretary was busy taking notes).
　In March, I received an e-mail from the Office saying that he had made contact with Hyogo International High School and they were ready to meet with me.
　The meeting with Principal and Vice Principal lasted over an hour. Principal also mentioned that there will be a prefectural meeting of all high school principals (163 public and 52 private) in May, at which he plans to mention our interest in finding a sister school in Hyogo Prefecture. This would be especially useful if we wanted to work with several schools specializing in different programs, such as sports, music, art, etc.
　During the meeting, the Principal mentioned that WA Department of Education has several requirements that must be met in order to send students overseas and gave me a few contact details of another high school that visited them before.
　Last but not least, I was invited to the University of Hyogo in April where I was introduced to the Global Business Course and the International Student Coordinator Team. The University of Hyogo offers scholarships to international students. This scholarship program was launched in 2021 and has been a great success.
　I have read through the selection process and requirements, and it looks promising. Applicants must complete 12 years of schooling. The Global Business course is conducted in English.
　I was told our high school is the first in Australia to be introduced of this scholarship program! My official task for my high school is completed and the Principal has been given all the necessary information.
　In August, through the meeting among the school principals, Principal from Sasayama Homei High School has come to know about my high school in Perth and has since visited the Principal and teaching staff in Perth. The outcome of the meeting was positive and I look forward to the beginning of this exchange program.