10月24日から11月1日にかけて，カナダ最大の都市トロントにある Royal St. George’s College（RSGC）を訪問し，生徒たちとともに交流を行ってきました。

RSGCは，小学3年生から高校3年生までが在籍する伝統ある一貫男子校です。本校とは2016年に学校間交流を開始して以来，ほぼ毎年相互訪問を行いながら交流を深めてきました。今年は交流10周年という節目の年に当たり，記念セレモニーに参加するため，本校から中学2年生から高校3年生までの9名の生徒とともにトロントを訪れました。

日本とトロントの時差は13時間。ほぼ昼夜逆転の生活となり，到着後しばらくはJet Lag（時差ぼけ）との戦いでしたが，それも海外研修の醍醐味の一つです。

到着翌日にはナイアガラの滝を訪れました。クルーズ船で滝のすぐ近くまで進むと，轟音とともに大迫力の水しぶきが襲いかかり，参加者全員がずぶ濡れになりました。テレビや写真では伝わらない自然のスケールに，生徒たちも圧倒されていました。

その後の5日間は毎日RSGCを訪問し，生徒間交流や授業参加，さまざまな異文化体験に取り組みました。小学生に折り紙を教えたり，同年代の中高生と会話を楽しんだり，カナダの学校生活を体験したりと，充実した日々を過ごしました。

初日の歓迎行事では，荘厳なチャペルでRSGCの生徒たちによるWelcome Performanceが行われ，日本とカナダ両国の国歌が演奏されました。その美しい響きと心のこもった歓迎に，両校の長年の交流の歴史をあらためて感じました。

2日目には交流10周年記念セレモニーが開催され，これまで築き上げてきた両校の友情を祝い，今後も交流を続けていくことを確認しました。

3日目にはオンタリオ美術館（AGO: Art Gallery of Ontario）を訪問し，世界的な芸術作品に触れました。4日目には9年生（日本の中学3年生に相当）の生徒たちとバレーボールを楽しみ，夜には「Medieval Times」で中世の騎士たちによる迫力満点の馬上試合や剣闘ショーを観賞しながら夕食をいただきました。

そして迎えた最終日。RSGCではハロウィーンに合わせて教職員も生徒も私服で登校し，思い思いのコスチュームに身を包んで校内を歩き回ります。僕は特に何も持って行かなかったので，RSGCの先生が，Toronto Maple Leafsというプロアイスホッケーチームの伝説のキャプテンのユニフォームを貸してくれたのを着ていました。校内ではコスチュームコンテストも行われ，本校の生徒たちも参加して大きな拍手と歓声を受けていました。

滞在を通して印象的だったのは，生徒たちの成長です。最初は緊張から積極的に話しかけることができなかった生徒たちも，日を追うごとに自ら英語でコミュニケーションを取るようになり，失敗を恐れず挑戦する姿が見られるようになりました。英語力だけでなく，「伝えたい」という気持ちと行動力が大きく育ったように感じます。

最終日のFarewell Dinnerでは，仲良くなった両校の生徒たちが円卓を囲み，別れを惜しみながら何度も写真を撮り合っていました。涙を流す生徒の姿も見られ，この交流がどれほどかけがえのない経験であったかを物語っていました。

今回の訪問を通じて，生徒たちは英語力の向上はもちろん，異なる文化や価値観に触れ，多様性を尊重する姿勢や国際感覚を身に付けることができました。そして何より，国境を越えた友情を育むことができました。

交流10周年という記念すべき年に，このような素晴らしい経験ができたことを大変うれしく思います。今後もRSGCとの交流をさらに発展させ，生徒たちに世界へ挑戦する機会を提供していきたいと思います。

英語を学ぶ目的は，世界中の人々とつながり，互いを理解し合うことにあります。今回の研修で生徒たちは，その大切さを身をもって学んでくれたことと思います。

RSGCのみなさん，本当にありがとうございました。

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Visiting Royal St. George’s College in Toronto, Canada

From October 24 to November 1, I had the pleasure of visiting Royal St. George’s College (RSGC) in Toronto, Canada’s largest city, together with a group of our students.

RSGC is a prestigious boys’ school serving students from Grade 3 through Grade 12. Our partnership with RSGC began in 2016, and since then we have continued to strengthen our friendship through regular exchange visits. This year marked the 10th anniversary of our partnership, and we were honored to travel to Toronto to participate in the commemorative celebrations. The delegation included nine students from Grade 8 through Grade 12.

Japan and Toronto are 13 hours apart, so adjusting to the time difference was no easy task. For the first few days, we battled jet lag and found ourselves living almost completely opposite schedules. Fortunately, the excitement of the trip quickly outweighed our fatigue.

Our first excursion was to Niagara Falls, one of the world’s most famous natural wonders. A boat cruise brought us remarkably close to the falls, where we experienced their incredible power firsthand. The thunderous roar of the water and the constant spray left us completely soaked, but it was an unforgettable experience. No photograph or video can truly capture the sheer scale and force of Niagara.

For the next five days, we visited RSGC daily and immersed ourselves in school life. Our students attended classes, interacted with Canadian students, and participated in a variety of cultural activities. Some taught origami to younger pupils, while others enjoyed conversations with students their own age. Each day provided new opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.

One of the highlights of our visit was the warm welcome we received on our first day. In the school’s beautiful chapel, RSGC students presented a Welcome Performance that included the national anthems of both Canada and Japan. The performance was both moving and memorable, reminding us of the strong bond our schools have built over the past decade.

The following day, we attended the 10th Anniversary Ceremony, a meaningful occasion that celebrated our shared history and reaffirmed our commitment to continuing this valuable partnership for years to come.

On the third day, we visited the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and enjoyed its outstanding collection of renowned artworks. The following day, our students joined Grade 9 students for a friendly volleyball session. That evening, we attended a dinner show at Medieval Times, where armored knights competed in exciting jousting tournaments and sword fights before our eyes. It was a unique and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Our final day coincided with Halloween festivities at RSGC. Students and staff arrived at school dressed in an amazing variety of costumes, creating a lively and festive atmosphere throughout the campus. Since I had not brought a costume of my own, a member of the RSGC faculty kindly lent me the jersey of a legendary captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing me to join in the fun. A costume contest was also held, and several of our students enthusiastically participated, receiving warm applause and cheers from the school community.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the trip was witnessing the growth of our students. At the beginning of the visit, many were understandably hesitant to approach unfamiliar people and communicate in English. Yet with each passing day, their confidence grew. By the end of the week, they were initiating conversations, building friendships, and communicating naturally without fear of making mistakes. More important than any improvement in language proficiency was the development of their confidence, resilience, and willingness to connect with others.

The Farewell Dinner on our final evening was especially touching. Students from both schools gathered around shared tables, exchanging stories, taking photographs, and making the most of their remaining time together. Many found it difficult to say goodbye, and a few tears were shed as friendships formed over the week proved to be deeper than anyone had expected.

Through this visit, our students gained far more than improved English skills. They experienced different perspectives, learned to appreciate cultural diversity, and developed a greater understanding of the world around them. Most importantly, they formed friendships that crossed national and cultural boundaries.

I am delighted that our students were able to take part in such a meaningful experience during this milestone year for our partnership. We look forward to continuing and strengthening our relationship with RSGC and providing future generations of students with opportunities to engage with the wider world.

Learning English is not simply about achieving good examination results. It is about connecting with people, building relationships, and developing mutual understanding across cultures. I believe our students experienced that lesson firsthand during this remarkable journey.

To everyone at RSGC, thank you for your extraordinary hospitality, kindness, and friendship. The experiences our students gained and the friendships they formed will remain with them for many years to come. We are deeply grateful for the welcome we received and look forward to strengthening the special bond between our two schools in the years ahead. Thank you for making this visit such a meaningful and unforgettable experience.

#仰星 　#グローバル　＃海外研修