CQU education student Petrina Zagami says that dressing in a kimono and walking down the streets of Gion - where the trainee geishas live - were among the highlights of her recent visit to Japan.

Ms Zagami, a Rockhampton resident who attended The Range and Emmaus colleges, has been studying Japanese as part of her Bachelor of Learning Management (Japanese) at CQU.

The snow of Japan made a wonderful contrast to Australia's summer

She was selected as a successful recipient of an ‘Endeavour Language Teacher Fellowship', which is the short-term in-country scholarship program provided by Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST).

The DEST covered the total cost, such as airfare, accommodation and meals, for Ms Zagami's experience in Japan as a pre-service teacher during the Australian summer (Japan's winter).

"As part of the 3-week stay in Japan, I also enjoyed our visit to Takayama, where we saw snow on the traditional style housing in Japan, just beautiful," Ms Zagami said.

"The architecture was amazing.  The weekend homestay visit with a Japanese family was fantastic as I was able to experience staying in a traditional Japanese house and observed their customs."

Petrina immerses herself in culture
CLICK for larger image: Snow on the traditional style housing in Japan