Two of our students, Isabelle Weng and Sophie Rocca, had the incredible opportunity to go on exchange trips this year. Here are their reflections on the experiences:

Isabelle Weng
In June this year, I was lucky enough to spend all of June in Tokyo, Japan. This experience was by far one of the most rewarding & fun times of my life. The main highlight of the trip was the people as everyone was so welcoming and I have made lots of meaningful lifelong friends. Furthermore, because of all the great people I met, I have opened my eyes to see more than what my life usually looks like but the average life of a student like me in a different part of the world.

I was also able to see how different Japan is compared to Australia in terms of their lifestyle, culture, work ethic and morals. This has been incredibly eye-opening and an experience I’ll keep for the rest of my life. As my horizons have grown, I see that the world is bigger and there are many places to visit and dream of. The trip also taught me to be stronger and resilient as I was at times by myself, even with the immense support of my host family, I still had to support myself when things got challenging.

My key memorable moments were from school and with school friends. I always had a fun time in school and even if my lessons were a little boring, each day was different with lots of fun. I also found it interesting as to how different schools are in Japan compared to Australia, for example, they are a lot stricter with simple things such as taking a drink or going to the toilet in class. Moreover, the students work so hard and seem to study a lot more than I do!

I made so many friends which I hope to see again and one of my favourite memories with them was going to Disneyland. This was such a fun day and I enjoyed the rides and taking photos the most. Another enjoyable experience was going on an overnight school trip, as I got to know more people and travel to cities outside of Tokyo such as Ise, Toba, and Nagoya. It was great to see a different part of Japan and see famous landmarks such as Nagoya Castle with my friends.

My experience wouldn’t have been the same if it wasn’t for my host family. They are one of the nicest families I have met and were always there to help or try and talk to me, through the language barrier. I have so many great memories with them as they took me to all kinds of places around Tokyo and it was always refreshing to arrive back home. As I am hosting Jun, my exchange sister I hope she enjoys her stay as much as I enjoyed mine! I can say that I have learnt so much from my experience and it is definitely an opportunity I would recommend to everyone!

Sophie Rocca
Today, I’m sharing a story about the power of stepping outside one's comfort zone. Setting off on this journey, I felt a mix of anxiety and amazement. Leaving behind the warmth of familiarity was daunting, but little did I know that this discomfort would reveal the most profound growth I would ever experience in my life.

Imagine standing in a bustling dining room in Oakville, Canada, surrounded by strangers and far from the safety of home. This was my reality during my unforgettable Round Square student exchange in Canada.

One of the ideals of The Round Square Exchange is characterised by those who push themselves beyond their perceived limits and discover that they are capable of more than they thought. Initially skeptical, I travelled alone, navigating unfamiliar airports and clinging to my phone and passport. The boarding house, just a place to live, quickly became a haven, somewhere to share new experiences, and every interaction became an opportunity to make new friends and connections.

Initially, self-doubt flooded my mind, and I struggled to talk with people, but I soon realised I had to make the most of every opportunity and discovered the beauty of embracing the unknown. I found some incredible people who have now become lifelong friends. Entering the lunchroom felt like a movie scene: tray in hand, eyes everywhere, looking for that one person to sit with. Through perseverance and sheer determination, I overcame my fears and could confidently walk to any lunch table, starting a conversation, leaving with a sense of accomplishment.

By facing these challenges, I learned not to worry about what other people thought and in doing so, I unlocked a hidden strength I never realised I had. As a teenage girl, I have experienced many unspoken pressures that have made me always seek safety in any situation. However, I learned that even though it is easy to remain within the walls of familiarity, we are challenged to become our true selves and start our journey of self-discovery and growth in those moments of discomfort and uncertainty.

Having never left the walls of Wilderness in my schooling life, this experience allowed me to see how vast the world is and how different people can live their lives. I have realised that stepping outside your comfort zone can foster empathy and a greater appreciation for the diversity of others’ experiences. I have made some incredible friends and have a new understanding of what I truly value. Being placed so far from home, I realised all the little things don’t matter, and I must just be true to myself.

I urge every one of you to embrace the unknown; whether it's going on an exchange or trying something new, don't be afraid. Round Square was right; I was capable of more than I thought. My student exchange in Canada showed me the importance of exploring unchartered territory, which helped me develop resilience and empathy toward others. So, I dare you to go beyond your comfort zone.