By REBECCA BILLS
SHE is an ambitious 11-year-old about to take on Japan.
Upper Ferntree Gully (UFTG) Primary School Student Emma McLean is one of just six students across the country selected to represent Australia at the Asian Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC) in Fukuoka.
Emma will be commencing her trip at the three-day convention in Fukuoka, then spending the rest of her time abroad in a home-stay arrangement with a Japanese family and attending a local school.
Embarking on her trip in three weeks, Emma said she was excited to go and “fully embrace” the Japanese culture.
Emma said when she initially applied for the trip she was more focused on going through the interview process than actually going on the trip.
“But as I kept going with my interviews and the selection date was getting closer, I really wanted to be selected,” she said.
“When you think about other countries you can only imagine what they are like, but actually going there, and being able to meet students from 59 other countries is just amazing.”
UFTG Primary School Principal Peta Evans said for a young girl, Emma had shown great maturity and determination throughout the entirety of the application process.
“I really admire her confidence and we can’t wait for her to return and share her experience with us,” she said.
“This trip really puts the students’ learning into focus and they can see and make connections of things they have learnt in class.
“Our aim through the school’s Japanese program is to instil in our children specific responsibilities from a local to a global arena.”
Ms Evans said for Emma to be able to speak with Japanese people and experience the culture of Japan would be a first-hand experience that would be immeasurable in her learning.
Emma’s mother Bec McLean said she was extremely proud of her daughter embarking on the trip.
“I’m dreading the airport goodbye – it will be a long 14 days for us here at home,” she said.
“Emma has always had an interest in learning anything new and experiencing everything and anything – she’s so driven to not miss out on any opportunities that may come her way.”
The APCC is a civic movement which is funded by local governments as well as supported by donations from corporate sponsors and the APCC Supporters’ Association.
The aim of the APCC is to foster global citizens who are able to think of the world beyond national boundaries and desire world peace and co-existence.
