Welcome Party for Yamate Gakuin (Japan) Immersions Students

On 23 July, a group of us hosted a welcome party for Japanese exchange students from Yamate Gakuin Senior High School. As a yearly event, Japanese students visit our school for two weeks and in exchange, students from our school make a two-week trip to their school during the September holidays.

This year, we planned an afternoon filled with thrills and laugher: introduction games, carnival games and munching local delights made up a majority of the afternoon. Each student was paired with another from the other country. The chats exchanged had elements of both English and Japanese – everyone learned a new word or two in the other’s language.

First, we formed circles with our respective groups to get to know each other’s names. “Yuwa”, “Karin”, “Daisuke”, “Maiko”, “Soma”… The air was soon saturated with voices giggling back and forth. To others, it would’ve seemed as though everyone knew each other for years but not just for a few hours.

Carnival games followed. But the incessant chatter never ceased. Not to mention the infectious laughter of those at the photo booth which was set up specially for this occasion. The props and background only added to the carefree mood. Talking turned into cheers of encouragement as the students took turns to play the games wholeheartedly and try to earn more points on the scoreboard.

Moments after, our Principal, Mr Burrough made his way to the party to officially welcome the students. After the sweet and short speech, it was time for food. A table was well arranged with pineapple tarts, love letters, almond cookies, cake, packet drinks, and more. Having expended our energy during the activities, everyone rushed towards the goodies for sustenance.

Towards the end of the party, some students brought their Japanese buddies around the school for a tour, in an attempt to prolong the party. However, all good things must come to an end, and this was certainly one of those times… As the party drew to a close, the one thing everyone could say for sure: “On 23 July, a group of us hosted a welcome party for Japanese exchange students. It was such a blast!”

Lorraine Hui Xuan Chia, 5 TCT