Become involved with international relations
Through the International Relations Program our communities have become richer, more culturally diverse and understanding. These programs are only possible if members of the community become involved and participate. This can be done in a number of ways:
Homestay family
Become a homestay family and host a student during their stay. Share our culture, while learning about theirs. This can be done through your school if they have an international program or register with a homestay organisation.
Cultural events
Attend cultural events being held in the community such as the International Streets Fiesta Harmony Day and other special events being held. Event details can be found in the event register.
Community groups
There are many groups (sporting, choral, scouts, friendship/social etc) that visit our region who wish to interact with a similar group during their visit. Community groups have the opportunity to host sister city groups who are visiting the region. There is also the opportunity for these groups to undertake a reciprocal visit.
For more information - Contact the Toowoomba Regional Council's International Secretariat via our Customer Service Centres.
International programs
Study tours
A large number of international students visit Toowoomba on study tours every year to learn more about our culture and to improve their English language skills, providing a considerable boost to our economy. Students are placed with local homestay families and become immersed in our culture and language. Student groups from our Sister Cities and other groups with long term connections are special guests at a Mayoral reception at City Hall.
Sporting exchanges
From time to time, international sporting exchanges are arranged between schools to enable students to practice and compete overseas. This provides sporting teams with the opportunity to travel overseas and participate in friendly competitions, sightseeing activities, stay with a local family in a homestay arrangement or host international guests. This is a wonderful opportunity for participants to gain an understanding of another culture.
Cultural exchanges
Cultural exchange tours involve community or interest groups such as scouts and guides, performance groups including music and dance and fine arts like Japanese flower arranging (Ikebana). Past groups have organised performances and displays for the community to enjoy, tours of schools in the region and meetings with community groups.
Friendship tours
To celebrate special milestones in our Sister City relationships, Council invites members of the community to participate in Friendship Tours to our Sister Cities. Friendship tours provide a unique cultural experience and allow exceptional interaction with local residents. Some previous experiences have included:
- Participation in the Paju Soybean Festival Parade
- Dining at a traditional Japanese Inn
- Tea Ceremony
- Doing Block printing at the Hiroshige Museum of Art at Ena City
- Taiko Drum Performances
- Official Mayoral welcomes and dinners
- Interacting with local children at a daycare centre
- Courtesy visit to the Yasuda Women’s University
The last tour involved visiting Korea (2 nights in Seoul and 2 nights in Paju) and then onto Japan for 9 nights, visiting Tokyo, Ena City, Takatsuki, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima and back to Takatsuki. Relationships with cities visited on the tour include:
- Ena City - partnership with Oakey since 1994
- Takatsuki - Sister City since 1991
- Hiroshima - USQ has had a partnership with Yasuda Women’s University and Yasuda Women’s College since 2003
- Paju – partnership with Toowoomba since 2003
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