First Nations students have “life-changing” cultural exchange in Japan

A group of First Nations students from Radiant Life College in Innisfail experienced the trip of a lifetime this month when they embarked upon a week-long cultural exchange to Japan.

This trip offered the students the chance to expand their horizons beyond their local community and engage in an entirely new culture and history. They prominent locations such as the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, Trade and Investment Queensland’s Tokyo headquarters, Google, and a secondary school in Sendai.

Radiant Life College Principal Nathanael Edwards, who accompanied the group, described the exchange as “life-changing” for the students.

“This experience allowed them to not only share their culture on a global stage but also gave them the opportunity to broaden their perspectives and build positive, long-lasting relationships,” he said.

“We had the time of our lives.”

At the Australian Embassy, the students were introduced to career opportunities within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), while also sharing their culture with Embassy staff and learning about what the Embassy does for Australian citizens abroad.

“It was an incredible moment for the students to see how their First Nations heritage could be celebrated globally and be a part of something bigger,” Mr Edwards said.

The group’s visit to Trade and Investment Queensland in Tokyo emphasised the importance of building global relationships and highlighted entrepreneurial opportunities for students interested in commerce and networking.

At Google headquarters, the students were exposed to creativity, cutting-edge innovations, and a multicultural workforce made up of expats from all over the world, leaving many inspired to pursue careers in technology.

“After our visit to Google, every student said they wanted to work there one day,” Mr Edwards said.

A highlight of the trip was the cultural exchange at Sendai Secondary School, where the students performed and shared aspects of their First Nations culture. The delegation was warmly accepted and learned not only about Japanese culture but local traditions while bonding with the Sendai students.

These bonds will continue to grow as teachers from Sendai’s English department plan to visit Cairns and Radiant Life College later this year for a study tour.

The students also visited Kyoto, widely considered a must-see destination in Japan for its centuries of history and tradition.

“This trip was 15 years in the making,” Mr Edwards said.

“It was more than just an overseas trip; it was about showing the importance of sharing and preserving our culture on a global level.

“As the custodians of the world’s oldest continuous living culture, it’s vital for our young people to see themselves as part of a global community.

“It was a life-changing experience for our First Nations students, putting in perspective First Nations culture and education on a global stage.”