We recently welcomed Seirei Gakuen High School from Japan to our school. The group of seventeen students and their teacher thoroughly enjoyed their visit at OLMC. Some of our OLMC families welcomed the Japanese students into their homes for a one-week homestay.
Our families enjoyed showing the Japanese students what Australian family lifestyles are like. This included sampling various foods, joining their host sister in their normal everyday activities and going on some outings in and around Melbourne, including some exciting footy matches. Back at school the Japanese students did English and culture lessons, visited our Japanese and other subject classes, had conversation sessions with our senior students and went on a Healesville outing with their OLMC host sisters.
Exchanges such as these, enable our language students to not only improve their linguistic and sociolinguistic skills, but also to immerse themselves in the culture of their chosen language. In April 2026, a group of OLMC Japanese language students and teachers are looking forward to visiting Seirei Gakuen High School and the opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with them.
Please enjoy reading the article written by some of our OLMC host sisters about their hosting experience.
James Stavretis
Languages Learning Leader
Last week we had the exciting opportunity to host a group of Japanese exchange students from Seirei Gakuen High School. Over the course of the week, we took part in a range of fun and interactive activities that enabled us to connect, learn, and share our cultures. From sightseeing and games, to shared lunches and excursions, the week was filled with chances to practise our Japanese and learn more about daily life in Japan. It was exciting to introduce them to Australian culture and to give them a sense of our daily lives.
At school, the Seirei girls took part in lots of activities. During PE lessons, they learnt how to play Australian Rules Football, which was an exciting and new experience for them. They visited Japanese classes, participating in various interactive activities. They also had an exciting opportunity to have morning tea, run by THE 7TH LAB, where the Seirei girls connected with Year 10, 11 and 12 Japanese students. This morning tea was an insightful experience, where many new friends were made. It was great to hear about the different activities they participated in, as well as how school in Australia differs from Japan. Seirei students also enjoyed spending recess and lunch with their host sisters and their friends.
Outside of school hours, we spent time showing our host sisters some of Melbourne’s sights and experiences. Some highlights among the group included attending AFL games, the Winter Night Markets and visiting iconic spots in the city like Flinders Street Station, Hosier Lane and the State Library. On quieter days, we introduced them to Australian shopping centres and saw some kangaroos in nearby parks. We also shared some classic Australian meals, while they introduced us to their favourite Japanese dishes. These shared moments gave us the chance to connect more deeply and learn from each other.
Overall, the experience was unforgettable. Not only did we improve our Japanese speaking skills, but we also made new friends and gained a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture. The experience was filled with lots of exciting adventures and we will continue to cherish the lifelong memories and friendships we made.
Isabella L (10C1), Isabelle D (10M5), Georgia W (10M1)
