Risako and Sakurako, hosted by the Heyes family, joined their host father in the garden to plant Japanese plants alongside Australian natives.
Just like these plants growing together, our cultures can grow side by side — each unique in character and heritage, yet connected by shared experiences and a common ground.
A lovely symbol of friendship, connection and the bonds created through homestay.
Earlier this month, EdVenture welcomed a wonderful group of students from Niigata Shogyo High School, Japan, to Brisbane for a 10-day study tour. As part of their program, we organised a Buddies and Students Tour, giving the students the opportunity to explore Brisbane alongside local university students. Throughout the day, they practised their English, experienced Australian culture, and, most importantly, made new friends and connections. A huge thank you to all the university students who volunteered their time and brought such great energy to the tour. We received wonderful feedback from both the Niigata students and teachers, and it was fantastic to see the students leave Brisbane with big smiles, great memories, and new friendships. We hope to welcome them back to Brisbane again in the future! 🇯🇵🇦🇺✨
Japan has two beautiful traditions dedicated to celebrating children — Girls’ Day and Boys’ Day. These special occasions are not only meaningful for families but are also filled with colourful decorations, unique foods, and heartfelt wishes for children’s happiness and growth.
Let’s take a closer look at how these days are celebrated across Japan.
Hinamatsuri, also known as Girls’ Day, is celebrated on March 3rd each year. This day is dedicated to wishing girls good health, happiness, and a bright future.
The most iconic part of Girls’ Day is the display of hina dolls. Families set up a tiered platform covered in red cloth and decorate it with ornamental dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, and members of the royal court.
These dolls are often passed down through generations and are treated with great care. Traditionally, families take them down soon after March 3rd, as it is said that leaving them out too long may delay a daughter’s marriage — a fun cultural superstition!
Girls’ Day is also known for its beautiful and symbolic foods:
Families may also drink sweet rice wine called shirozake to celebrate the occasion.
Children’s Day, originally known as Boys’ Day, is now officially called Children’s Day in Japan. While it celebrates all children, it still has strong traditions focused on boys’ health, strength, and success.
One of the most recognisable symbols is the koinobori (carp streamers). Families fly these colourful carp-shaped flags outside their homes, with each fish representing a family member.
The carp is a symbol of strength and perseverance, inspired by a legend of a carp swimming upstream and transforming into a dragon — a powerful message for children to grow strong and overcome challenges.
Inside the home, families may display samurai helmets (kabuto) or warrior dolls to represent bravery and protection.
Traditional foods for this day are just as meaningful:
Both Girls’ Day and Boys’ Day reflect how deeply Japanese culture values family, tradition, and the well-being of children. While the decorations and foods may differ, the message is the same — wishing for children to grow up healthy, happy, and strong.
Whether it’s admiring elegant hina dolls or watching colourful carp streamers dance in the wind, these celebrations are a beautiful reminder of the joy children bring to our lives.
We are happy to share some great news from Brisbane State Secondary College (BSSSC)! While studying in Brisbane, visiting students from Niigata, Japan, joined local Art classes and explored their creativity in a new way.
Out of all the artworks made, two pieces by Minami and Nao were chosen for the Fire & Flourish Lantern Project. Their designs are now featured at the Brisbane Festival’s Afterglow exhibition in the City Botanic Gardens.
This is a fantastic achievement and something both the students and their schools can be proud of. Their drawings were turned into glowing lanterns, becoming part of one of Brisbane’s most loved cultural events.
This experience shows the value of cultural and educational programs that connect students from different parts of the world. Students not only improve their skills but also leave something meaningful behind in the communities they visit.
Congratulations to Minami and Nao – your creativity is shining bright for all of Brisbane to enjoy! 🌸✨
(Attached below are the students’ original artworks and photos from the lantern display at the festival.)
In February, we were pleased to welcome a wonderful group of students from Kyoto, Japan, for a short-term study tour. As part of their visit, they joined the Buddies and Students (B&S) Tour run by EdVenture.
With their UQ student buddies leading the way, they explored the University of Queensland’s St. Lucia campus, enjoying the stunning surroundings and learning about university life in Australia.
More than just a campus visit, it was an opportunity to form friendships, share experiences, and embrace a new culture in a fun way.
Seasons greetings to all our wonderful host families, students and schools. We are looking forward to seeing you again in 2024!
1. SOUTH BANK
South Bank is located in the city centre and has so much to offer in the way of things to see and do – it even has its own beach! You can hire a bike or walk along the riverfront paths and enjoy views of the city. For an ‘up high’ look at the city, The Wheel of Brisbane offers great 360 degree views. Want to take an ‘Instagram Worthy’ photo? South Bank is the location of the Instagram famous Brisbane sign! For culture lovers, South Bank is home to both the Queensland Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art – big bonus is that they are both free to visitors (except for special exhibitions).
VISITOR TIP: visit https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/South-Bank for information on regular free events at South Bank!
PRICE: free to visit
LOCATION: South Bank is about a 5 minute walk from the end of Adelaide St, towards the river.
2. MT COOTHA
This is a 'must go' location if you are visiting Brisbane! At the very top of Mt Cootha (the name means Honey Mountain in Aboriginal language), there is a great lookout area, for stunning views of the city both day and night! A kiosk, which offers refreshments including some very tasty ice cream, and a souvenir shop for those who want a keepsake of their trip are both open for business at the lookout. Enjoy a meal or snack at the tables overlooking the great view!
https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/information/articles/activities/things-to-do-mt-coot-tha?sc_lang=en-au
VISITOR TIP: Try one of the many bushwalking trails on Mt Cootha!
PRICE: free
LOCATION: Toowong, in the western suburbs of Brisbane
3. LONE PINE KOALA SANCTUARY
If you want to see Australian wildlife, this is the place to go. Founded in 1927, Lone Pine is the oldest and largest Koala Sanctuary in the world! It's home to Koalas, Kangaroos, Emus, Wombats, Dingoes and so many of our beautiful Australian birds. If you are lucky, you can hear the Kookaburras laughing during your visit. Take advantage of great shows on offer, which are included in the entry price - Wild Lorikeet feeding, a Raptor show and Sheep Dog demonstration. If you want to hand feed a kangaroo, you will have the chance to do so here! https://koala.net/wildlife-au
VISITOR TIP: get there early to feed the kangaroos!
PRICE: Adults $42, children $25
LOCATION: Fig Tree Pocket
4. TAKE A TRIP ON THE RIVER
The best way to see and get around Brisbane via the river is onboard a City Cat. Along the river you'll see great views of the city, South Bank, Kangaroo Point cliffs, Story Bridge and New Farm Park. Seating aboard the City Cat is available inside, or if you want to feel the wind in your hair, out on the decks. Travel from Hamilton to the University of Queensland for an extended tour!
VISITOR TIP: buy a Go Card to save money on the price of tickets https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card
PRICE: varies depending on length of travel
LOCATION: along the Brisbane River
5. VISIT ONE OF THE OUTER AREAS OF BRISBANE:
There is plenty to see and do in the areas outside the city centre! Redcliffe https://www.visitmoretonbayregion.com.au/blog/50-things-to-do-in-redcliffe on the northside of Brisbane is a busy seaside area and was Queensland’s first settlement city in 1824. It has nice calm beach areas, and beautiful saltwater lagoon – Settlement Cove. This spot has BBQs and picnic areas where you can enjoy a meal after having a swim in the lagoon. It’s perfect for a safe swim if you aren’t a confident swimmer! Cleveland on the southside of Brisbane is home to one of Queensland’s oldest lighthouses. Take the Cleveland Heritage Walk (and easy walk of 4klm) past gorgeous heritage listed buildings https://www.mustdobrisbane.com/outdoors-walks-bay-cycling-bay/cleveland-heritage-trail-walk-or-cycle . Both areas have a vibrant café and restaurant scene
VISITOR TIP: visit on weekends to enjoy the Sunday markets in both locations
Try writing a conversation using as many of these slang words as possible.
Here are some links that you may also enjoy.
https://youtu.be/f3SpO71RNhg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfmHPF5qoV0&list=PLhjB73Ab_RdnPW6_5Mr4zIfBullWPqE_Z
We have missed you all this year!
Whilst 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, we sincerely hope that you are well and have found “silver linings”, despite these difficult times.
We would like to take this opportunity to say hello and thank you to everyone involved in our study tours and to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
To our Students and Teachers – thank you for your enthusiasm and participation in our programs. We know that like us, many of you were disappointed not to be able to visit in 2020, but with the news of a vaccine and hopefully some better signs soon, we will be welcoming you back before too long! (and we will be ready and waiting!)
To our Host Families – thank you for your dedication to cultural exchange, both in the past and in the future. Your kindness towards our students is greatly appreciated, and without you, our programs would not be possible. We will endeavour to keep you posted of any updates over the coming months via a newsletter. We hope to send this newsletter to families on a monthly basis, so please keep a check on your emails or visit our Website: www.edventureconsulting.com from time to time. We appreciate all that you do!
Finally, to our Agents – thank you for your ongoing support. To help you during this time we have been working on the addition of new programs such as a virtual homestay program. We have also looked at improvements to existing programs and have updated many marketing materials for you. Together we are a team, and we hope to continue to work with you as soon as able.
During this time, Lisa and Janet are continuing to work on EdVenture Consulting and keeping up to date with regulatory changes including a new blue card application system. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
We hope that everyone continues to stay safe and well.
Contact :
Janet Venturini Mob: 0413633315 or Email: janet@edventureconsulting.com
Lisa Ness Mob: 0410 534 539 or Email: admin@edventureconsulting.com
Have you ever wondered why people choose to host an international student? The Jackson family started hosting over 15 years ago, when their eldest daughter was in Prep. We decided to ask them for their story.
When did you start hosting?
We first started hosting when Dana (eldest child) was in Prep. That was about 15 years ago. Over the years we have hosted so many students and each one was a great experience for the family!
Why did you decide to host?
I (Jenni – host mother) was an exchange student when I was in high school, and I wanted other teenagers to have that same experience. It’s a way of giving back to the community. The first time we hosted was through my children’s school and we just kept hosting from then on.
What was one of your best memories of hosting?
One time, my children and the student who we were hosting, put on a show for our extended family. There was singing and dancing, and the student did some traditional games and songs from Japan. It was a real turning point in the relationship we had with that student – he came out of his shell and really started communicating with us
What is something your family has learned from another culture?
For the children, it would have to be Origami – they loved it. During one hosting, a student gave the children an Origami book, and they still pull it out from time to time and enjoy making Origami. We also learned that kids are kids, no matter where they come from.
What kind of activities do you do with your students, and what do they most enjoy?
Every student we host is given the experience of a cookout – BBQ and billy tea. We encourage them to help with the BBQ cooking. For many students it is their first experience of outdoor cooking, and they love it. Apart from that, we like to take them to the beach, or into the city. Students also seem to enjoy visits to the local markets. Look in your local area – there are often special events and free activities for you to enjoy with your student.
What advice do you have for future host families?
Encourage your student to come out of their room and join the family. If they say they have homework, ask them to do it at the dining table – that way you can see what they are learning in class, and help them. It also works as a way to encourage communication. Involve them in games such as Uno. Often students will come out of their room if you ask them to play! Another good way to involve them in family life and have fun.
Would you recommend hosting?
Absolutely! For families with young children in particular – give it a try, your children will love it and international students love spending time with the younger children.
