Nagisa Ito and Mei Oide spent transition year at Coláiste Muire in Ennis, Co Clare, as part of an exchange programme.

We came to Ireland in September last year. We are from Sendai, a city in Japan of more than a million people.

When we arrived in Ireland we couldn't get used to the slow pace of life. Irish people don't care so much about time, for example. We were surprised, because Japan is a very busy country.

We found Irish school life very different to that in Japan. Firstly, discipline is not as strict in Ireland. In Japan we can't colour our hair or wear ear-rings or make-up, and we are always checked by our teachers. Secondly, classes are more active in Ireland than in Japan. Everyone has their opinion, which they discuss with classmates and teachers. In Japan our classes are just listening to teachers and writing. Classes are also longer in Japan. Classwork in Japan is very hard. So we enjoyed the interaction that takes place in Irish classes.

After school most Japanese high-school students go to a club for activities. We belong to a mandolin club. At Coláiste Muire we decided to join the Irish music club.

Japanese is a subject for Leaving Certificate and for transition year at Coláiste Muire. We took part in Japanese class, which was very interesting, because we met students who were interested in Japan and asked us a lot about Japan. This made us happy. We could improve our English while teaching Irish students about Japan, so it was a lot of fun.

TY is a wonderful year that gave us many great opportunities and experiences. Our best memory is of going to Delphi Adventure Centre, in Co Galway, where we went rock-climbing, kayaking and hiking blindfolded - so exhilarating.

We also visited Coole Park, the Four Courts and the Mercy International Centre in Dublin, and we went to Galway and Macroom, in Co Cork, to take part in a TY drama competition. We also organised a school health day as part of our Young Social Innovators project.

These are just some of the fantastic things we did in Ireland that were very good for our education.

At first we were very confused about these off-campus activities and field trips, because we had never done anything like them. In Japan we have to sit in class the whole time, which is important but not so easy.

The year really helped us to become more confident and more independent, active learners. It was tough to be so far from home and our families, though.

Our English is improving, and we'd like to thank everyone involved in TY at Coláiste Muire for their help. Our friends there were very kind and helpful. If we were in trouble they always helped us.

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