St Martin’s College, Swatar, recently hosted a group of 36 secondary school students from Kindai High School in Osaka, Japan.

Throughout their two-week stay, the Japanese students used the library to learn English and attended the college’s regular lessons in subjects such as PE, art, drama, history and environmental studies.

Students from the two schools were able to integrate and improve their knowledge about each other’s languages and cultures. The intensive programme at school was also complemented by a number of educational visits to various sites around Malta.

St Martin’s College and Chiswick House School principal Patrick Tabone explained the importance of having a multicultural environment to encourage an exchange of cultures among the college students.

“By having Japanese students in class, our students have the opportunity to engage in daily activities and conversations, and develop a personal understanding of the similarities and differences in these teenagers’ lives. This allows them to be appreciative of cultural diversities and global citizenship even at a young age,” he said.

This annual visit, along with other educational trips abroad, is part of the educational cultural exchange programme that is in place at St Martin’s College.