Teacher In-Country Fellowships to Asia (TICFA) Program Japan Study Tour Participants of the January 2001 Japan study tour | Leader/s | Dates | Outline | Past Participant Comments | The Asia Education Foundation's (AEF) TICFA Program is a professional development program that aims to provide Australian educators the opportunity to experience first hand the peoples, cultures and issues of the countries of Asia and to enhance skills and discipline knowledge of the studies of Asia. The Japan study tour begins in Tokyo where participants experience the vibrancy of one of the economic powerhouse of the modern world. Here teachers visit local schools, the Australian Embassy and key sites of interest. Participants will see the unique Panel Theatre presentation and participate in a workshop From Tokyo the group travels by bullet train to Kyoto to meet with students and teachers at a local school. Participants have the opportunity to visit key cultural sites such as the Imperial Palace, Niji-jo Castle and Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park. When traveling to Osaka, participants will overnight in Miyajima Island providing the Australian teachers with an understanding of the cultural and historical diversity of Japan. The final destination of Osaka provides participants with the unique opportunity to spend two nights with local families in a homestay program developed in partnership with the Osaka Sister City Network. The homestay program has become a highlight of the tour for past participants. Go to the top of the page Tour Leader/s Dr Shigeko Nariyama, The University of Melbourne, VIC Ms Pamela Rosser, Asia Education Foundation Advisor, ACT Tour Dates The dates of the 2002-2003 TICFA tour to Japan are: Date of departure from Australia is Monday 6th January 2003 Date of return to Australia is Tuesday 21st January 2003 Although every attempt has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, please note that these dates are subject to change. Go to the top of the page Tour Outline Day 1 Traveling Depart Australia Day 2 Tokyo Arrive Tokyo Visit Tokyo Fish Market, city tour and orientation Day 3 Tokyo Curriculum Development/ Research Day 4 Tokyo Australian Embassy - AusTrade and Cultural Briefing Day 5 Tokyo Visit local school and teaching workshops Day 6 Tokyo Panel Theatre Panel Workshop and walking tour of downtown Tokyo: Katsura Imperial Villa, Fukagawa Edo Museum Day 7 Tokyo Curriculum Development/ Research Day 8 Tokyo Travel to Kyoto by train, sightseeing in Kyoto to Ryoangi, Silver Pavillion, Dai Shen and Nijo Castle Day 9 Tokyo Curriculum Development/ Research Day 10 Tokyo Travel by train to Uji and sightseeing Day 11 Miyajima Island Travel by train Kyoto to Hiroshima, visit and briefing at the Peace Park and A-Bomb MuseumFerry to Miyajima Island Day 12 Osaka Briefing on Japanese education system. Visit and teaching workshops with Miyajima Elementary and Junior High School Ferry to Hiroshimaand travel by train to Osaka Day 13 Osaka Meet homestay family, dinner and accommodation with host family Day 14 Osaka All day with host families Day 15 Traveling Return to hotel for Shodo (Calligraphy) class De-Briefing and evaluation session before departing Osaka for Australia Day 16 Australia Arrive Australia Although every attempt has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, please note that these details are subject to change. Go to the top of the page Past Participant Comments I can only sum up the tour in one word - FANTASTIC - from start to finish!! The sights, sounds and stories of this wonderful Asian country, so steeped in tradition, will stay with me forever. They have become, the greatest teaching resource that I can share with the children in my class and school. I hope that many more teachers can be offered and experience the Japan tour in years to come. John Greenhill, Liwara Catholic Primary School, WA This tour has provided me with an absolute thirst for all things Japan. I have been given an opportunity to experience Japanese culture and language first hand. I feel I will be able to share with the children I teach a much more enriched program of Japan and Asian studies. Louise Alchin, St. John's Primary School, NSW I feel I can now be an ambassador for Japan. My teaching will be enriched by my deeper knowledge and I will be much more capable of supporting the LOTE teacher in the teaching of Japanese and as a leader of Studies of Asia. Aileen Duke, Carrum Downs Primary School, VIC Eating Japanese style, living Japanese style and traveling Japanese style has enabled me to gain a very good understanding of this culture. As a school principal this first hand experience will assist me to facilitate and support the few teachers in our school who are leading the Asian perspective. This has been a lifelong journey. Kevin Arrow, Holy Family Primary School, NSW I have a book full of words and ideas to take back to implement into my Studies of Asia curriculum. I obtained resources for my program, recipes from my host family and knowledge of the culture of Japan. I have grown both personally and professionally. Margaret Catterall, St Monica's Primary School, VIC I couldn't believe the unique opportunities we were provided: the mix of ultra modern, high tech and funky in Shibuya compared to the strict tradition of tea ceremonies, kimonos and calligraphy. The homestay was enriching and helped me to see how Japanese family live and to learn the language. This was such a blast of different things that has broadened my horizons in so many ways. April Jones, Winthrop Baptist College, WA This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a culture that I know I would never do on my own. It has meant I can develop and widen my art awareness through the Japanese culture as a building block in the development of my art style and teaching. Anne Langdon, Kensington Community High School, VIC I have never traveled outside of Australia and to me this has been an amazing experience from beginning to end. I feel as if I have burst out of my skin and become someone fresh because of the range of wonderful things I have seen and heard. Maria Arrow, Assumption School, NSW Thank you for this unique opportunity to be professionally and personally developed. The whole experience will stay with me for a long time. It has given me a lot of food for thought and I know my teaching will be greatly enhanced by this special experience. Vicki Larkman, Belconnen High School, ACT Texts do not show sounds, smells or the friendliness of people. The experiences and opportunities provided on this study tour have added new stories to relate and more enthusiasm to develop Asian studies in my school. Colin Pratt, Busselton Senior High School, WA Go to the top of the page Contacts Further information on the TICFA program is available from: Ms Kristi Sheldon, Manager, In-Country Programs k.sheldon@asialink.unimelb.edu.au Mr Aaron O'Shannessy, Project Officer, In-County Programs a.oshannessy@asialink.unimelb.edu.au Asia Education Foundation Sidney Myer Asia Centre The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia Telephone: 03 8344 4800 Facsimile: 03 9347 1768