FIVE year nine students from Camborne Science and International Academy travelled over 6,000 miles to Kyoto in Japan to experience a global summit along with other schools from across the world.

“The Ritsumeikan Global Summit heralded an opportunity for year nine students to communicate and share significant cultural practices with schools from Canada, Hawaii and Australia to name just a few,” said Paula Tippett, international co-ordinator and student voice strategic leader at CSIA.

“This opportunity allowed CSIA students to showcase British culture, communicate this with their new international friends and to develop an understanding of a shared global community.”

Schools from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, France and Kenya also gathered at Ritsumeikan Junior High School to share and celebrate cultural difference. The theme for this year’s event was ‘Breaking through the wall’.

Ollie Turrell, Abbie Rowe, Reese Macdonald, Mackenzie Tellam and Amber Tremayne took part in the trip along with Miss Tippett and Miss Greet, deputy SENCO.

“Our students undertook a home-stay with local Japanese families which gave them an even greater understanding of their culture, values and way of life,” said Miss Tippett. “CSIA has a strong relationship with Ritsumeikan Junior High having established a cultural exchange programme over many years.”

The trip was a whirlwind of activity from start to finish, with students taking part in various activities, educational challenges and visits.

Students enjoyed exploring the city of Kyoto, trying the local cuisine, learning about their traditional dress and visiting cultural areas of interest including the Ginkakuji Temple.

CSIA’s international programme offers a combination of exchanges, collaborations and competitions, with visits to Illinois, Singapore, Adelaide, Seoul, Kyoto, Beijing and Bangkok all lined up for 2018.

“Our incredible and expanding global network has made this exchange possible," said principal Ian Kenworthy. "It’s fantastic to witness young people so inspired by the world around them, and the array of future possibilities ahead.

“We’re very proud to be able to offer trips of this calibre to our students and we look forward to many more exciting international exchanges this year.”