Japanese exchange ...

Day 1

The 2015 Japanese Exchange started at 10:50 pm 18th November at check-in counter G, as we all gathered around with our suitcases, waving good bye to our parents, friends and family.

For some of us, we had just finished our last VCE 3/4 exam of the year, and it had still been out main concern even as we arrived at the airport. Others had been worried on whether their suitcases would be under the maximum weight, or how they could best memorise their individual speeches.

The flight was steady, we didn't experience any noticeable turbulence, and the food was edible. We all squeezed in a movie, or two, before attempting to fall asleep. Some of us slept soundly, and some didn't sleep a wink.

We landed in Hong Kong at 6:30 am local time, to humid 24 degree weather. After making our way through more security checks, walking all the way to one end of the airport, we discovered that our flight CX562 to Osaka was delayed by 2 and a half hours. Thus, we walked to the opposite end of the airport, and sat/slept/went go buy food/made good use of the free wifi for 2 and a half hours.

We finally took off to Osaka, arriving at 2:30 local time. We all had passports, flight tickets, arrival forms, custom declarations, luggage tags and all sorts of things in our hands, as we tried to both look after our carry on luggage and find our check in luggage, and finally make our way out.

We were greeted with a line of smiling host sisters on one side, and excited mothers taking pictures on another. They had made signs for us, which meant "Welcome to Japan".

After a very long day of sitting around, trying to sleep and lugging around our suitcases/bags, we met out welcoming and loving host sisters and their families. We went out separate ways, both excited and nervous for what we would learn in Japan from now on.

Today marked the beginning of our Japanese Exchange, and the beginning of immersing ourselves into another family's life, culture and household. We will be spending our first night in Japan, and wake up to our first day of school in Shinwa Girls School.

Though it was a long day, we were thrilled to reunite with our host sisters, and eager to see more of what we can learn from this exchange, and the fun it will bring us!! :")

Written by Cecilia