Exchange

ANNUAL STUDENT EXCHANGE

Each year a delegation of four students aged between 14 and 17 and an adult group leader (Chaperone) are selected to participate in the annual student exchange.

The students applying must be residents of Hobsons Bay. The Chaperone, however, must work or live in Hobsons Bay. Past students of the exchange are also eligible.

The exchange involves hosting a Japanese student for ten days during the winter school holiday break and then visiting Anjo in the following month, as a representative of the City of Hobsons Bay, and being hosted for two weeks by the reciprocal Japanese host family.

Whilst in Hobsons Bay the students and their Japanese guests visit a number of local attractions. These include Newport Lakes, Williamstown and Altona beaches and many other interesting places in and around Hobsons Bay and Melbourne. They also experience some of regional Victoria, visiting Puffing Billy and the penguins at Phillip Island. The Japanese students engage in Australian culture while living with their host families. They also experience our Indigenous history through the observation of traditional aboriginal dance and practice.

In Japan our student delegation has many great opportunities to discover and appreciate Japanese culture. The Australian delegates visit a Japanese teahouse, Japanese temples and local schools and are guests at the famous Tanabata Festival.
The home stay accommodation gives students a valuable insight into the lifestyle of Japanese families and the opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese culture and language.

Both delegations also attend a number of official functions in each country, including a Mayoral reception and community celebrations. It is here that the students and Chaperone give a brief self-introduction in the language of their host country as well as a group performance. The Association prepares the delegates through participation in a short course to develop their self-introduction/speeches and group performance.

The exchange is fun yet educational. More than 200 students have participated in the exchange along with 30 adult group leaders and has resulted in many life-long friendships being formed. Student applications can be lodged on line using the links to the forms below:

Student Information and Guidelines

Student Application Form

Personal Reference Form

School Leader Recommendation Form

Chaperone applications can be completed using the form below:

Chaperone Information and Guidelines

Chaperone Application Form

Chaperone Personal Reference Form

Applications for 2024 are OPEN and will close on 28 December 2023.  For more information contact Joy Martin (President) on 0407 523 483.

ANJO ADULT CITIZEN DELEGATION

The City of Anjo sends a Citizen Delegation to visit Hobsons Bay approximately every three years. The members of this delegation consist of leaders in industry, community leaders and young adults who have an interest in continuing to develop goodwill and friendship between the cities of Anjo and Hobsons Bay. The delegation visits many of our local attractions. Delegates are homestayed by members of the Association and enjoy a traditional Bush Dance.