Rosmini group visits Japan

In April a group of 12 Rosmini students and two teachers travelled to Japan to enhance their learning and deepen their understanding of the language, environment and culture. Visiting cities like Tokyo, Himeji, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Iiyama over a two-week period not only exposed them to new knowledge and perspectives but also offered them the chance to engage firsthand with the diverse and vibrant aspects of Japanese society.

The students' leader's comment on the trip:

"Although it was my second time in Japan, the amount of things I learned and my interactions with people were invaluable. In particular, I was thrilled to experience the countryside of Iiyama and to deliver a speech at the school. The contrast from the extremely crowded and busy Tokyo to the peaceful and quiet countryside of Iiyama was a refreshing change of pace. I was able to see how much of their culture is still preserved throughout the town, from experiencing the school’s Karuta club to making washi paper. The architecture also reflects the amount of snowfall the place receives and how the buildings are designed around it. I was told that the snowfall can reach up to the second story of some buildings, which came as a surprise to me.

"The first thing that gave me a particular culture shock in Japan was when I was on the bus heading to school, where I witnessed elementary school children taking public transport independently. This type of independence was surprising to me, as in New Zealand, it would be rare to see even a single kid travelling to school by themselves. It really showed me how independent some of these children become at such an early age in Japan, which I think is a fascinating thing.

"Being able to experience the Buddhist morning prayer at the temple for the first time truly gave meaning to the temple and influenced how I think about Buddhism as a whole now. The history of various artworks was explained to me, which made me appreciate the preservation and replicas of artworks on the temple grounds and the meaning they provide to the monks.

"Overall, I was able to absorb and learn a lot about Japanese culture and customs, and apply my language skills in Japanese to make connections between the culture and language. In particular, I will never forget my homestay experience in Tokyo, where I truly felt included within the family and friend groups no matter what, giving me a chance to learn about their way of life and the place they call home."