The time started with a welcome ceremony in which Mr Gilmore welcomed the Japanese students in Japanese, and Keio students gave a presentation about life in Japan, vending machines, clubs, and their school.

The students also got to experience lessons at BGS when spending the days with their exchange partners, where they could learn and practice their English skills.

There was also a day filled with culture and sightseeing on Saturday, where all participants had a tour of the Houses of Parliament as well as seeing Trafalgar Square, taking pictures of Buckingham Palace, and exploring other places in London that they were keen to see.

The trip was an amazing chance to make friends with someone from the other side of the world in a rare opportunity to explore culture, people, and language. Some of my favourite memories include meeting people for the first time, trying lots of different British food like Nando's with our exchange partners, creating a 24-sided origami polygon together, and playing four-square and volleyball in a group just before our emotional final goodbye.

Thank you to all staff that made this trip possible, especially Mr Adams, who relentlessly planned to make this a core memory for all involved.

Louis Luckman, Year 12

Click on the link here to view the Keio Senior High School visit photo gallery.