This time, we'll introduce Miss Tsuzuki of year 7, who challenged herself with summer programs and volunteer activities in America, Africa, and Cebu island.

What did she feel and learn from those she met abroad, and what is her goal moving forward:

―Please tell us what summer programs you participated in.

I participated in a summer program organised by the American education group, NSLC.
Most of it took place within the university campus, with lessons that used university classrooms, living in the dorms, and campus experiences. I participated in the program held by University of California Berkeley, and the courses provided were business, art, engineering, and medicine. I took business, and was tasked with considering and planning new products and services and their marketing strategies with team members.
When it came to learning about leadership skills and communication, even among people my own age, there were those who were able to communicate very well, and this was quite stimulating. In addition, we visited the factories of famous companies, which was very interesting. Through discussion, I learned that in America, the values held differ by the state you are in.

―After that, you went to Africa?

Yes, I visited the rural and urban parts of Nigeria and South Africa, but the gap between the urban area and rural area was extreme, and was very shocking. I found the national character in Africa to be powerful, with a bright personality. Yet at the same time, even within the cities, malnutrition was rampant in the slums, and I'm told that as a result of insufficient nutrition in youth, their average height and weight is lower than the worldwide average.
In this trip, through navigating the societal issues of emerging countries, as well as talking to people involved in Japan's first uncovered fund, which invests in infrastructure and development, I was able to meet people who were already putting into practice the ideals I hold.

―I'm told that in the later half of the summer holiday, you participated in volunteer activities in Cebu?

That's true. Japan is a fortunate country, but through experiencing regions that are not quite so, I believed it would be an opportunity to think about sustainable support. When you think of Cebu, you may think of tourism, but there are regions of poverty built on the sea and in the bays known as 'waterborne slums', as well as regions where literal graveyards have become living spaces. It is these regions where I did volunteer activities.
Specifically, I helped deliver old clothes and unused stationery, as well as medicine to those for whom the cost of going to hospital was too great. At the cacao farms, there was also an experience involving reusing unsellable cacao and making it into bags.

―In America, Africa, and Cebu, you've certainly had a wide range of experiences.

Yes, I've learned much. And what I felt most through participating is, 'our future can be made however we want it'. I've seen the harsh reality of the world, yet through the people I've met, I'm left with the feeling that 'there is always a way to realise our dreams'.

―And how are you thinking of engaging in that going forward?

I believe that it's important to share what you've learned with others. Yoshida Shoin said that learning was not just for your own sake, but should also be for the sake of society and those without the opportunity to learn. I also believe that, for those who, for a variety of reasons, do not have the chance to learn, that we should consider how to create an environment for learning, and should act upon it.

At the end of the interview, when asked about how it was communicating in English, she replied 'I understood what they were saying, and was able to get across what I was saying!' with a smile.

This summer of working with friends and people of varying cultures to overcome challenges has undoubtedly been an experience that cannot be exchanged for anything.

We look forward to seeing how miss Tsuzuki will make use of this experience in the future.