Introduction
I participated in the Post-study-abroad session of Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN × World Road!
This program was designed for students who have returned from studying abroad to reflect on their experiences, put them into words, and further clarify their future dreams.
Before going abroad, there was also a Pre-study-abroad session, where students received valuable feedback from global leaders, known as “Dreamers.” Recalling those insights, this post-study-abroad session provided another opportunity for students to refine and deepen their dreams.
Around 120 students from across Japan participated in this session–about 50 in Osaka and 70 in Tokyo. Each student presented how their dreams and ideas, first shared during the pre-study-abroad session, had evolved through their study-abroad experiences. They exchanged thoughts and engaged in meaningful discussions with one another.
What made this session especially unique was the presence of Dreamers from 16 different countries around the world. Coming from diverse backgrounds such as social entrepreneurship, healthcare, and peacebuilding, these Dreamers served as mentors—listening closely to the students’ presentations and providing honest, thoughtful feedback that enriched the entire experience.
Each group carried out their sessions in a cheerful and lively atmosphere♪
Some students mentioned that their dreams had changed since before studying abroad, while others shared that their goals had become clearer. It really made me curious about what kinds of experiences had shaped those transformations! Through the pre‑study‑abroad session and post-study-abroad session, as well as their study abroad experiences – in entirely different environments, with new people, languages, and cultures – these students have gained so much.
Let’s take a closer look together at the thoughts and reflections they brought back from their journeys!
Voice from Dreamers
Dreamer from Syria: Salam Kanhoush
(Read Salam’s Dream Story here [LINK])
I was very impressed by the Tobitate students. They showed a strong sense of purpose, curiosity, and commitment to learning. What stood out most was their motivation not only to gain knowledge abroad but also to return home and contribute positively to their communities. Their energy and openness to dialogue made the session inspiring and meaningful.
Overall, it was a rewarding and enriching experience for my groups, as the combination of patience, reflection, and peer exchange brought out more thoughtful and authentic storytelling.
Dreamer from Lebanon: Alissar Azzam
(Read Alissar’s Dream Story here [LINK])
Tobitate students are very ambitious and accomplished students with big dreams, they are very smart and have great visions. I enjoy talking to them and learning about their dreams and goals. I enjoy being able to share my experience and giving them useful tips for their journeys and careers.
Each student was unique in their own way, and they were all at different levels. I definitely saw so much potential and ambition in all of them.
Each student was truly unique, with different levels and backgrounds. I saw great potential and strong ambition in all of them.
Voice from the Participants
I was strongly encouraged to keep pursuing the things that inspired me during my study abroad experience and the areas I felt even slightly drawn to. As I take on various challenges moving forward, I want to remember this advice.
By articulating my aspirations and sharing them publicly, I gained clarity on the strength of my convictions.
Knowing that people everywhere in the world share the same determination to pursue the future gave me tremendous motivation to push myself even harder. Compared to before studying abroad, I also felt I could clearly articulate my thoughts and convey them effectively, which significantly boosted my confidence.
Moreover, by not only listening to others but also sharing my own dreams, I gained a fresh, objective perspective on how my aspirations have evolved before and after studying abroad, leading to greater self-understanding.
My aspirations have become much more concrete than before studying abroad. Before going abroad, I had only vague ambitions, but now they are tied to specific careers and social roles, and the steps needed to achieve them have become somewhat clearer.
Words Give Shape to Your Dreams
What the Dreamers and students felt and thought about the program？
I was truly inspired by how studying abroad opens up new perspectives and goals. I also realized that by not keeping their thoughts to themselves, but instead putting them into words and sharing them with others, their experiences become a source of growth that connects to their future dreams and aspirations.
It’s not the size of the dream that matters, but rather the process of facing oneself, thinking from a broader perspective, and expressing one’s thoughts in words through studying abroad and the Pre- and Post-study-abroad sessions.
I hope that through this training, everyone’s wonderful dreams have become even clearer and more defined♪
Learn more about the Tobitate! Ryugaku JAPAN initiative here [LINK]