Forum » Talkback Classroom

The Australia Japan forum provided an opportunity for 4 students (2 Australian and 2 Japanese) to  investigate the theme ‘images of Australia in Japan and Japan in Australia' The project culminated in a forum for schools in Canberra on March 17th at the National Press Club of Australia.

For photos of the forum, please see: http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/photos/090316_aus_jpn_talkback_forum/index.html 

Talkback Classroom- Australia Japan forum was supported by the Australia-Japan Foundation and Australian Education International.

Name: Yuika

School leadership positions: I am in a band at school, and have been involved in volunteer work through the school.

Hobbies or interests: Playing guitar, theatre/drama, movies, reading, travelling

Travel experience: I have resided in America and currently live in Yokohama, Japan. I have visited a number of places including many of the states in the US, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Mexico, Germany, and England.

Languages: Japanese and English

Why you applied for Talkback Classroom:  It caught my attention because growing up in America, I had always been aware of the “images” one had on another country. Also, since I have never been to Australia, I thought it would be an interesting experience to investigate the images people have in a country that is so unfamiliar to me. I hope to expand my horizons by working with the people of a different culture, learning about their background, and to see things from a different perspective as well as finding out about the images and discussing them.

Name: Makoto

School leadership positions:

• Model United Nations delegate, The Hague International Model United Nations 2008
• All Kanagawa Under-18 select rugby team 2008
• Group Leader of School Sports Festival 2008

Hobbies/Interests: Sports, music and travel

Travel experience: Cairns, Australia 2008, The Hague, The Netherlands 2008, Aruba, Venezuela 2004, South Carolina, USA 2004, Cozumel, Mexico 2001, The Bahamas 1999, Cancun, Mexico 1998

Languages: English and Japanese

Why I applied for Talkback Classroom: I applied for Talkback Classroom because I thought this program was a great opportunity to broaden my experience in international communication and expand my horizons.

The nine years that I spent in the United States naturally gifted me a second language. I enjoy expressing myself and exchanging ideas with other teenagers in English. This is the main reason I participated in the Hague Model United Nations.  

Talkback Classroom provides an opportunity to listen, talk, and in some small way, improve the world around me.

Name: Thomas

School Leadership Positions: I am involved in leadership positions both inside and outside of my school. This year I am a senior hockey player in the R1st XI Hockey team, and will be coaching younger players throughout the season. I am also a “GETSET” peer mentor, which involves meeting with a year seven student every week. Additionally, I volunteer with ‘AFS’, a student exchange organisation and play a dual role of both a leader and a support buddy for exchange students. This year I will also be continuing to fulfil the role of Assistant Instructor for the Amaroo Dojo in my Martial Art, Taekidokai, where I teach children from ages 5-12. This year I have been appointed Captain of Choirs. I have also been awarded a lead role in our upcoming musical, “Grease”, and so will continue to strive for excellence in these fields.

Hobbies or interests: Martial arts, singing, creating downhill bicycle courses and socialising with friends.

Travel Experience: I lived in Japan for a year in 2007-2008 while on exchange, travelling to places all around the country. Before I went on exchange, I also went with Radford for two weeks on a school trip. I lived in America for two months and have also spent a couple of weeks in New Zealand.

Languages: I speak English and conversational Japanese

Why you applied for Talkback Classroom: I applied for a position in Talkback Classroom as I have a great interest in Japan, and was keen to deepen and expand my knowledge of both the Japanese culture and people. I hope that this program will challenge any opinions or assumptions that I have made while previously in Japan, and perhaps show me a different side of a multi-faceted country.

Name: Bridget

School Leadership Positions: Head Girl (School Captain) 2008

Hobbies/Interests: Flute – completed grade 8 in 2007, debating, tennis. I plan to undertake an Arts degree in 2009 with a major in Political Sciences,

Travel Experience:

• 3 week Study Tour and Home stay in Japan in 2005
• 6 week exchange to France 2007-2008

Languages: 

• Japanese – Completed VCE Yr 12 in 2007, Monash University Enhancement studies 2008.
• French – Completed VCE Yr 12 in 2007.

Why you applied for Talkback Classroom: I have  a strong interest in the Political Sciences: the meshing of various cultures around the world, the interaction of their governments and the conflict which often arises between them. I feel excited at the prospect of studying, and ultimately contributing to, the dynamic world around me and I believe Talkback Classroom is a valuable step in this direction. The program will add another, more hands-on, dimension to the study of political sciences I plan to undertake at university next year and provide an avenue to be actively participating in society in this field.

I have completed more than six years of Japanese study during which time I have been able to familiarise myself with many areas of Japanese culture (including traditional customs, the education system, history etc). Japan is now a country with which I feel a strong affinity. I was attracted to this program because it will allow me gain a more intimate knowledge of Japan, particularly in the political, economic and historical domains.