The participants from the 2018 MEF Study Tour of Japan were recently welcomed back to Mitsui’s office in Melbourne to talk about their experiences and reflect on what they had discovered over their three-week trip.
Rebecca Cakarovska, a student at the University of Wollongong said the close bonds she formed with her fellow students and Japanese home stay family was a highlight and encouraged others to make the most of their opportunities.
“My best souvenir from this tour isn’t the magnets, postcards or photos that I took. It is the remarkable relationships and friendships I formed.”
“Most importantly, this tour serves as a timely reminder of the possibilities that are out there and out there and the need to be bold and open-minded to seize those that are once in a lifetime.”
As part of the tour, the students travel through Japan and take part in activities to learn about the country's history, business, industry, contemporary and traditional culture, and relationship with Australia.
Australian National University student, Ashish Nagesh said he was looking forward to employing what he had learnt in his daily life back home.
“The excitement now lies in using this new-found level of knowledge and understanding about Japan in our future careers and day-to-day living. The lessons that were taught and the values that were instilled far exceeded my expectations.”
“I am proud to now be an MEF Ambassador, and I can’t wait to utilise all that I have gained,” Ashish said.
Mitsui invites Australian university students to help promote mutual understanding and friendship between Australia and Japan by taking part in the 2019 Mitsui Educational Foundation Study Tour of Japan.
For 2019 the participating universities are:
- University of Technology Sydney
- University of New South Wales
- University of Melbourne
- University of South Australia
- Curtin University
- Murdoch University
- University of Queensland
- Queensland University of Technology
To apply, please contact the relevant representative at the university as nominated in the campus promotional posters / communication.
