Year 10 Japanese Excursion to Macquarie University

“Mirai – Futures with Japan” – A Day of Discovery, Culture & Inspiration 

On Friday 20 June, our Year 10 Japanese students participated in the Mirai – Futures with Japan Excursion at Macquarie University. It was a day filled with cultural learning, campus exploration, and a new outlook on the future of studying Japanese.

Discovering the Future of Japanese Language Learning

The day opened with a series of engaging presentations that introduced students to a wide variety of opportunities for continuing Japanese after high school. From university exchange programs to short-term study abroad, and career-building options like the JET Programme, students were inspired by the real-world potential of language learning.

“During the presentations, past Japanese students of the University had talked about their experiences in the many programs that are offered, encouraging everyone to take these chances to expand their Japanese understanding and ability.” 

• Zara Astillo

Programs explored included:

• JET Programme (Assistant Language Teacher, Coordinator for International Relations, Sports Exchange Advisor)
  
  
• Japan Working Holiday Visa – offering work in resorts or teaching English in Japan
  
  
• Short-Term Exchange Programs – for language immersion and cultural discovery
  
  

Scavenger Hunt – Learning Through Exploration

One of the most popular activities of the day was a Japanese-language scavenger hunt around Macquarie University. Students worked in groups, solving clues written in Japanese and navigating through various campus locations to reach the final goal.

“On this excursion we had a scavenger hunt around the campus, where we toured Macquarie University and answered questions in Japanese. This allowed us to have fun whilst learning how to get to the end of the game using our knowledge of the Japanese language.”

• Zara Astillo

Presentations, Games & Student Voices

The day also included interactive Kahoot quizzes to consolidate learning from the presentations, as well as videos and speaker stories that made the session engaging and relatable. One of the most memorable aspects was hearing directly from university students and past program participants.

“Attending the Mirai – Futures with Japan Excursion brought a new perspective of continuing Japanese in university. It was an insightful day full of watching presentations and listening to multiple speakers’ experiences in Japan.”

• Aurelle Husada

Food & Campus Life

Students enjoyed exploring Macquarie’s vibrant food courts, offering a glimpse of university life. While other schools received obento lunches and participated in raffles, our group made the most of the time to relax, chat, and soak in the atmosphere.

Honest Reflections & Motivation

This excursion sparked motivation for many students to continue their Japanese studies, both this year and beyond.

We sincerely thank Macquarie University and the Mirai – Futures with Japan team for hosting this inspiring event. It gave students a deeper understanding of what lies ahead, and encouraged them to keep building their skills, confidence, and curiosity in Japanese language and culture.

Miss Miho Matsufuji

Japanese Teacher