Throughout this program, we learned and grew in many ways. I would like to share three key ways in which I feel we particularly grew.

The first is improving our communication skills.
At first, we were unsure how to communicate, as many of us weren’t very confident in speaking English. However, thanks to the kindness of the students and staff at the University of Mount Union, as well as our host families, we were able to feel comfortable and communicate with ease. Furthermore, by participating in classes, we were often put in situations where we had to express our opinions, which helped us develop the ability to think on our feet.

The second is learning the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
In the United States, with only 15 people, including our teachers, we faced many challenges. However, by combining everyone’s individual strengths and skills, we were able to overcome each obstacle together. Before we left, we were nervous and there was a bit of awkwardness, but through this experience, we feel that our bonds have grown stronger.

The third is the broadening of our perspectives.
In America, we met many kind people, but we also faced some difficult and scary experiences that we wouldn’t have encountered in Japan. These experiences allowed us to learn about a side of the world we had never known. Additionally, we learned about American customs, such as not taking off shoes at home and not taking a bath every day, which are quite different from Japanese culture.

In these 13 days, we created wonderful memories and gained invaluable experiences. We don’t want to simply leave these experiences as memories but aim to carry the lessons learned into our future lives.

R.T.