The first term of school in Australia for the 2018 academic year has just finished! Kaichi, who is representing Nigawa Gakuin at our sister school, Padua College, has settled into his new life and is enjoying the Autumn break. As always, be sure to follow his adventure on the international noticeboard outside the teachers’ room.

This February, Sahori became our first student ever to study abroad in France! Nigawa Gakuin has had a long partnership with Institution Marmoutier, located in the city of Tours about an hour from Paris, having hosted groups of French student regularly since 2010.

During the 3 week program, Sahori experienced high school life, stayed with 2 different families and even had some time to visit the sights in Paris.

We look forward to both hosting more students from Marmoutier in the future and to sending Nigawa students to France.

Last week we said goodbye to Rhys, a Padua College student who had been on a 2-month exchange with us since December. During his time with us at Nigawa, Rhys made many friends, improved his Japanese and left a lasting impression on both students and teachers alike. It was an absolute pleasure having him with us, and we wish him all the best with his final year of high school in Australia.

This year, two Nigawa students are attending our partner school in Arizona, USA, Saint Mary’s Catholic High School. During the 10-month exchange, they hope to follow in the footsteps of the many Nigawa students up until now that have had live-exchanging experiences in the US, making new friends and learning about a new culture. We wish them all the best and we will follow their journey via their monthly reports posted on the international noticeboard.

This year, three students are representing Nigawa Gakuin at our sister schools in QLD, Australia. Nicola is spending the year at Saint Mary’s College in Ipswich, while Ryota and Takuji are attending Padua College in Brisbane. They have already settled down and are enjoying the final month of summer. And of course, they are learning lots of Aussie English. Good luck everyone!

This week the Nigawa community said goodbye to Ethan and Harrison, two students from our sister school, Padua College in Brisbane, Australia. During their time with us, the boys made many friends, improved their Japanese and left a lasting impression on both students and teachers here at Nigawa. It was an absolute pleasure having them with us for the last month, and we wish them all the best for their studies upon returning to Australia. Sayonara!

On October 24 we received a group of students and teachers from Institution Marmoutier. This marks the 4th time that our friends from France have come to Nigawa for a short-term exchange.

Throughout the day, our visitors took part in activities with Nigawa Gakuin elementary, junior high and high school students. In addition to numerous in-class activities that included social studies, Japanese and English lessons, the French students were hosted for 4 nights by Nigawa students, giving them a unique chance to experience Japanese home life. Moreover, the host students had an opportunity to make new friends and communicate with students from abroad in a more relaxed setting outside the school. These friendships have, in the past, been ongoing, with students staying in contact even after the program has completed.

Thank you Marmoutier for yet another exciting day. All of us here at Nigawa Gakuin look forward to your next visit in 2018.

This year, three Nigawa students are attending our partner school in Arizona, USA, Saint Mary’s Catholic High School. During the 10-month exchange, they hope to follow in the footsteps of the many Nigawa students up until now that have had live-exchanging experiences in the US, making new friends and learning about a new culture. We wish them all the best and we will follow their journey via their monthly reports posted on the international noticeboard.

This week, the junior high school was fortunate enough to have two special visitors from overseas. Marie from France and Karen from the United States spent a week in Nigawa Gakuin, taking part in day-to-day classes and activities, their first ever experience in a Japanese school.

Besides attending classes, their school experience also included after-school Naginata and they both gave presentations about their home countries in the English conversation classes.

We trust that both girls will return to France and the US with fond memories of Nigawa, and we look forward to spending more time with them next time they visit us. Thank you!

「中学校に短期留学生が来ました！」

今週、中学校に海外から２名の生徒が来てくれました。フランス出身のマリエさんと、アメリカ出身のカレンさんです。２人とも一週間を本校で過ごし、日本の学校生活を初めて体験しました。

授業に参加するだけでなく、放課後には薙刀部を見学したり、英会話の授業ではそれぞれの出身国の紹介をしてくれた２人。仁川学院での良い思い出を持ち帰ってくれることと思います。次回訪問してくれる際には、もっと長く過ごせることを楽しみにしています。マリエさん、カレンさん、ありがとう！

After spending an unforgettable 10 months studying in the U.S., Wakana has finally returned to Nigawa Gakuin – now as a 3rd grade student. Many of us were following her adventures through the monthly reports and photos posted on the exchange noticeboard, but now we have an opportunity to hear first-hand about the many experiences she had during her studying abroad.

In addition to her core studies, Wakana was involved in many extra-curricular activities such as drama and dance, enabling her to forge strong friendships with both students and teachers and Saint Mary’s. This experience helped her to improve her English communication skills and become more independent. As Wakana takes on her next challenges in the final year of high school, she will also be helping our next students prepare for upcoming exchanges to the U.S. and Australia.

Our warmest regards and thanks go out to everyone at our sister school Saint Mary’s Catholic High School in Arizona and her host family for their wonderful support.

「アリゾナからおかえりなさい！」

１０ヶ月の留学期間を終え、仁川学院に戻ってきたワカナさん。留学期間中も毎月現地から留学レポートを送ってくれていましたが、帰国してすぐに現地での体験を語ってくれました。

必修科目に加えて、ワカナさんはドラマやダンスなどの課外活動にも多く参加し、留学先のセント・メアリーズ・カトリック・ハイスクールの生徒や教員たちと強い絆を築くことができました。その経験は語学力を向上させただけではなく、より自立した人物へと成長させました。これからは本校の最高学年として過ごしながら、今後アメリカやオーストラリアに留学予定の後輩たちのサポートにもあたってくれます。

素晴らしい支援をいただいた、セント・メアリーズ・カトリック・ハイスクールの皆さん、そしてホストファミリーの皆さん、本当にありがとうございました！