We understand that words like “career” and “social issues” are important. But truly feeling their relevance to our own lives can still feel a bit difficult. For students facing this very challenge, a special course was launched at Okayama University to provide a chance to think about their own “future.”
The course is titled “Solving the Planetary Society Issue -Learning career paths from the World’s Next-Generation Leaders-.” It was made possible through the collaboration of Professor Atsufumi Yokoi, Vice President of Okayama University, which is an official partner of the world’s largest summit for young leaders, “One Young World (OYW).”
About 100 first-year university students participated in this course. For many, “career” and “social issues” were still vague concepts. Over seven sessions, the course became a journey for them to look inward and take a confident step toward their future.
This report will not only explore what was conducted in this class but also share the voices of the guest “Dreamers” and, most importantly, the “students’ dreams” that were articulated through this experience.
Note: Image from last year’s class.
A Special Class to Encounter the World: What Was It Like?
The most defining feature of this course was its emphasis not merely on acquiring knowledge, but on the process of articulating one’s own dream. The textbook used was WE HAVE A DREAM, a book that gathers the dreams of young people from 201 countries and regions.
During the course, “Dreamers” who are actively tackling social issues—joined online from five countries: Nepal, India, Oman, Romania, and the Philippines.
Engaging with their real-life stories provided a profound opportunity for students to contemplate themes like “what does it mean to work globally?” A unique aspect of the class was how the course content was shaped by the students’ own interests, exemplified when they voted for the final Dreamer to be featured—Arizza from the Philippines.
The students didn’t just listen to lectures. They spent time deeply thinking about and writing down their own dreams, engaging in dialogue with classmates in constantly changing groups. They gradually gave words to their dreams by reflecting not only on their present selves and their ideal futures but also by delving into their origins—the “why” behind their thoughts.
By the end of the course, their own unique “Dream Story,” reflecting their individual backgrounds and values, began to take shape.
Messages from the Dreamers: Dreams Transcend Distance
The highlight of the course was undoubtedly the online sessions with Dreamers driving social change in five different countries. How did they feel about their interaction with the Japanese students? Here are some of the heartwarming messages they shared.
Anamika (India) | UN staff member, based in Switzerland (at the time)
I was deeply impressed by how this class was a special place that asked not just “what you do,” but “why you do it.” I was particularly struck by one student’s comment: “Until today, the SDGs felt really far away.” That is precisely the impact I wanted to deliver. This experience reinforced my belief that real change begins not in policy rooms or large organizations, but in classrooms like this, where young people are trusted to think deeply.
[Read Anamika’s Dream Story here]
Gabriel (Romania) | Engineer developing products inspired by social issues.
It was truly wonderful to see over 100 passionate students exploring what it means to lead with purpose in our interconnected world. We received so much positive feedback, with students saying they “became interested in global issues” and that their “worldviews expanded.” What I witnessed was a room full of potential changemakers, ready to take on the world. To all the students: keep dreaming boldly and acting bravely!
[Read Gabriel’s Dream Story here]
Arizza (Philippines) | Peace activist with Muslim and Christian parents, and a dual-career professional running a marketing company.
The core of my talk was about my “personal challenges” in pursuing my dream. I was surprised that so many students felt they could relate. It reminded me that even if our languages and cultures are different, we are all human, wrestling with pressure and the fear of making mistakes. What’s most important is the connection that makes us feel we are not alone in difficult times. I am so grateful to the class for sharing this experience with me. You helped me greatly, too. Thank you!
[Read Arizza’s Dream Story here]
The voices of the Dreamers transcended borders and truly reached the hearts of the students at Okayama University.
New Visions for the Future, Drawn by Okayama University Students
What impact did the encounters with the five Dreamers have on the students? The Dream Stories created throughout the course were filled with dreams rooted in their own life experiences. Here are just a few!
Dreamer A: “I want to develop climate-resilient crops so that children around the world no longer suffer from hunger.”
My dream is to solve the world’s hunger problems by creating climate-resilient crops. In developing countries, many people cannot get enough to eat due to the effects of climate change. As a researcher, I want to use English to develop crops that can solve this problem. That’s why I’m studying agriculture and English so hard right now. I believe that small daily actions, like not wasting a single grain of rice, can change the planet. I still can’t speak as effortlessly as everyone else. But in my own way, I am determined to make this dream a reality.
Dreamer B: “I want to be able to converse in English, travel to various countries, and learn about their cultures and histories!”
My dream is to become a person rich in global knowledge by traveling the world and learning about its cultures and histories. The true origin of this dream was an encounter with tourists from Nepal in Kyoto when I was in high school. The moment I realized we could connect through my broken English, I felt my world expanding and knew I wanted to interact with more people. In this class, I learned that many conflicts arise from a lack of mutual understanding. That’s why I feel it’s so important to see and learn about the values and cultures of other countries with my own eyes.
Dreamer C: “I want to create a cure for food allergies!”
My dream is to develop a cure for food allergies and bring happiness to people. I myself had a food allergy from birth until recently. When I was little, I remember the frustration at lunchtime, wondering why I was the only one who couldn’t eat certain things. When my allergy finally cleared up in my last year of high school, I’ll never forget the surprise and joy of tasting something for the first time and thinking, “So this is what it tastes like!” I want to bring that same joy to my friends and people around the world who still suffer. I want them to see a new world of food. With that one desire, I will study chemistry at Okayama University and develop a medicine that will make many people happy in the future.
The experience of sharing dreams with Dreamers from around the world seems to have given the students clues for envisioning their own futures.
Note: Here is the final output where students articulated their own “Dream Story.”
Small Experiences Can Spark Big Dreams
The seven-week course at Okayama University was a journey. It was a class that encouraged students to take the first step toward discovering their core values and connecting them to their future careers—all while encountering real-world dreams and engaging with their own passions and past experiences.
Perhaps after reading this article, a small question has sprouted in your heart: “What does a career mean to me?” When that happens, try starting small. The clues to your career are always hidden in dialogues with friends and moments of reflection on your past.
And, just like the exchange between the Dreamers and the students of Okayama University, meeting people from all over the world and sharing dreams can be a powerful catalyst for discovering your own path.
The world is surely waiting for the moment your dream begins to shine.
Get a copy of WE HAVE A DREAM 201 Dreams 201 Countries