Year 10 student selected for study trip to Japan

Jacob visited lots of sites in Japan

Jacob Peters from Year 10 at St Columba’s High School, Springwood was one of only four students selected from NSW to attend a 10-day study trip to Japan as part of the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) funded by the Japanese government.

Participating schools were selected by the Consulate General of Japan based on having very active and successful Japanese language programs. St Columba’s has been selected to participate three times since December 2013 and eight senior students have now visited Japan.

A group of 18 students experienced the Japanese culture through home-stays, site-visits and school exchange programs. Jacob was actively involved in all the events and demonstrated his maturity, responsible attitude and passion in learning Japanese.

Japanese teacher Mrs Shizue Sato said Jacob represented the St Columba’s community and Australia extremely well. ‘We are very proud of his achievement. Congratulations Jacob!’

Jacob says the trip was an experience he will never forget.

‘This trip provided me with very unique experiences that have allowed me to gain a better insight into Japanese lifestyle and culture,’ he said. ‘It has also allowed me to experience personal growth both in my understanding of other cultures and Japanese language skills.’

‘The trip was fantastic and I was struck by the great kindness and generosity shown to all of us from the Japanese people,’ said Jacob. ‘During the trip I travelled to Tokyo and Toyama - two places that are unique in their own way.’

‘Toyama is one of my favorite places in Japan so far as the people were kind, caring and friendly, which made me feel welcome in their community,’ said Jacob. ‘I hope to return to that prefecture one day and experience its beauty once again.’

Throughout the JENESYS program I got to share my knowledge of the Japanese language,’ said Jacob. ‘I learnt a lot during this trip, it was a fantastic opportunity and it has complimented my studies in Japanese.

‘The JENESYS program created a lot of great opportunities for my future but mainly wonderful and happy memories that will stay with me forever.’

‘I would like to thank St Columba’s for the opportunity to study Japanese and increase my understanding of a culture so different to our own,’ said Jacob.