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For 30 years, Fintona’s relationship with its Japanese sister school, Aoyama Gakuin Yokohama Eiwa, has provided students with meaningful opportunities to connect across cultures, develop language skills and build lasting friendships.
The exchange program began in 1996, at a time when Japanese was still a relatively new subject at Fintona and was being offered through to Year 12 for the first time. Recognising the value of authentic cultural experiences, Fintona sought to establish a partnership with a school in Japan that would enrich students’ learning beyond the classroom.
From the outset, Yokohama Eiwa proved to be an ideal partner. Shared values, a similar approach to school culture and a strong sense of mutual respect helped the relationship develop naturally and, over time, grow into a deeply valued partnership between the two schools.
Today, the reciprocal exchange program offers a range of opportunities for senior students. As part of the biennial Japan Tour, Year 10 and 11 students spend five days at Yokohama Eiwa to experience Japanese school and home life with their host sisters and families. In January each year, a small number of Year 12 students are also selected to participate in a summer exchange before commencing their final year of Japanese studies.
The partnership is equally enriched by the annual visit of Yokohama Eiwa students to Fintona for a two-week homestay. During their stay, students are immersed in Australian family and school life, practise their English skills and form connections with Fintona students and families.
Over the years, the exchange has evolved from an educational partnership into a program grounded in continuity, trust and genuine connection. Through everyday interactions, shared routines and new experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures while developing confidence, adaptability and independence.
According to Fintona’s Language Learning Leader, Yoko Kirkman, who was instrumental in setting up the partnership, ‘some of the most memorable moments with Yokohama have often been the simplest — students helping one another navigate unfamiliar situations, finding ways to communicate despite language barriers, and forming friendships that continue long after the exchange has ended.’
The enduring success of the program reflects a shared commitment between Fintona and Yokohama Eiwa to foster intercultural understanding and create opportunities for students to engage with the world in meaningful and lasting ways.
