There are many annual student exchange programs run by Australian and Japanese municipalities. Students from Japan typically visit Australia during their month long summer holiday, which starts in late July. During their visit they stay with host families and attend local high schools where they make Australian friends. In doing so they also introduce Japanese culture to their newly made friends, which is a great opportunity for cultural exchange to take place.
1. Sister City Exchange between Hurstville City, NSW and Shiroishi City, Miyagi
(25 – 30 July)
On 29 July a reception was held by the Hurstville City Council as part of the Sister City exchange program, where children from both cities had a great time together. Guests from Hurstville included the Mayor, Council Executives, those involved in the SisterCity program and the host families. Representing Shiroishi City were ten junior high school students and two teachers.
Gifts were given to Shiroishi students from the City of Hurstville. The Japanese visitors sang Japanese folk songs and some anime songs, as well as introducing their hosts to Japanese cultural items such as Kendama (a traditional toy with a cup and a ball), Koma (a spinning top) and Origami. The Mayor of Hurstville played Kendama with the students and let the local children join in the fun. The children from both cities were really happy to spend such a memorable time together. CLAIR Sydney was also invited to this reception and just like the Mayor, also had the opportunity to spend time with the children and experience the exchange at first hand.
Hurstville City and Shiroishi City are planning exchange activities for the upcoming 20th anniversary of their relationship, which will be celebrated this September. During these events CLAIR Sydney will support both cities.
2. Friendship City Exchange between Manly, NSW and Odawara, Kanagawa
(26 July – 5 August)
A visit to Manly Council and exchange events were held for Japanese students by Manly on 30 July. As friendship cities Manly and Odawara engage in exchange activities every year, one form of it being student exchange. Odawara sends as many as 40 students to Manly as part of its ‘Tokimeki International School program’ and keeps the exchange alive. This year, 15 students visited Manly. At the beginning of the exchange event each student received a Certificate of Attendance from Deputy Mayor Alan Le Surf. After exchanging gifts, the students were then placed into four groups and visited Manly Council facilities and other places of interest, where they learned about the work of Manly Council and the environmental issues they face. CLAIR Sydney also attended this visit and assisted the students by translating the explanations given by Manly Council staff and teaching the students about the Australian political system.
3. Issues of Sister City Exchanges going forward
By partaking in these two events, we have noticed one thing, there are key persons at both ends who support the exchanges. The councils cannot keep the exchanges alive alone as these active exchanges can only be maintained through the efforts of dedicated people on both sides. We were told that every year there are volunteers who help assist the exchange event and it is through this support that Hurstville and Shiroishi can continue their exchange. The same applies to Manly and Odawara, as many people support the Tokimeki International School program and many local volunteers are involved in the Manly Sister Cities Committee. As you can see, these people’s grass roots activities form the powerhouse that propels the sister city relationships forward.
Time can be unkind however, as the driving force behind these international exchange is ageing. Given their importance, these discrete yet crucial roles will need to be reassigned in the near future so that these exchange relations stay strong. Having spoken to volunteers at both events, we can affirm that they wish for people who took part in the exchange during their youth to take over these roles.
