“How do I want to live my life?”
To address this profound question, a special program was held at Fukuoka Futaba High School from this spring through September. Over the course of the semester, students explored the theme of “Career Planning.”
Throughout the lessons, students were inspired by the real-life stories of global leaders, gaining diverse perspectives on how to navigate their own paths. This is the report on the final session, where students looked deep within themselves to envision their futures!
Global Leaders as Learning Partners
The defining feature of this program is that global leaders (Dreamers) from the World Road network serve as partners who walk alongside the students throughout the entire semester. Rather than just learning from textbooks, students deepened their own views on career and life by directly engaging with leaders who are actively tackling social issues with a clear sense of purpose.
【Dreamers who joined the journey】
*Click on the names to read their individual “Dream Stories.
• Arizza from Philippines (Peace activist currently running her own PR firm)
•Thin from Myanmar (Mechanical engineering student working to reduce educational inequality)
• Andrea from Slovakia (Co-founder of a sustainability strategy firm tackling the circular economy globally)
• Juan from Honduras (Utilizing art and dance to prevent youth gang involvement and foster healthy ambitions)
• Spandana from UAE (Founder of an employment platform addressing worker inequality; currently working at a consulting firm)
Weaving Past, Present, and Future into a “Dream Page”
As the culmination of the program, students created their own “Dream Page”—a single-page synthesis of their past journey and their future ideals.
This was not a mere schedule or checklist. It was a process of carefully choosing words to describe what they value and how they wish to contribute to society within the flow of “Past, Present, and Future.”
■ Section 1: “Knowing Myself” — Discoveries made through the process
Through the process of creating their “Dream Pages,” what insights did these students gain as they looked deep within themselves?
Student Y: I’m glad I was able to reevaluate my future dreams.I used to not be good at thinking about my future, but thanks to this class, I was able to clarify it.
Student M: Through this program, I believe my previously vague dreams and aspirations became clearer as I reflected on my past and contemplated my future during each session, gradually gaining a deeper understanding of myself.
Student R: Simply putting my dream into words and speaking it aloud, rather than just picturing it in my head, allowed me to become more clearly aware of the thoughts and wishes I hold. It helped me reaffirm, “This is the direction I want to go.” Through this experience, I truly realized that dreams aren’t just about thinking about them; it’s crucial to take action and make the effort to turn them into reality.
“Knowing My Neighbor’s Dream” through Shuffled Discussions
One of the most impactful aspects of the weekly lessons was the group discussions held in shuffled seating arrangements.
“Even though we’ve been in the same classroom for six months, I never realized what kind of dreams the person sitting next to me had.”
As these conversations began, the energy in the room shifted. The process of putting thoughts into words, having them heard by others, and being inspired by the aspirations of peers fundamentally transformed the students’ perspectives on their own careers.
Connecting with the World: Presenting in Their Own Words
The climax of the program took place via Zoom, connecting the classroom to six virtual rooms (five countries plus a “Japan Room” with local teachers). Students visited two leaders of their choice and presented their “Dream Pages” in English.
■ Section 2: “Connecting with the World” — Confidence and courage beyond language barriers
Presenting in English and interacting with international leaders brought a significant boost in confidence to the students.
Student Y (Interacted with leaders from Honduras and Slovakia):
I was really nervous at first and worried about whether it would go well, but once I started speaking, I was able to relax and give my presentation. To be honest, there were some parts of the English I didn’t understand during the Q&A session, but by struggling to speak in English, I was able to get them to understand, which gave me a great sense of accomplishment for being able to communicate in English.
Student I (Interacted with leaders from the UAE and Myanmar):
I gained a lot from listening to Dreamers’ suggestions which helped me clear my future dream and goal. I wish one day I can become a person like Dreamers full of passion and ambition. It made me reflect on my own dream again, while also strengthening my desire to support my friends’ dreams.
Despite the initial nerves of the presentation, the students spoke boldly about the futures they had designed. The sight of them taking the first step toward “designing their own lives by their own will” was truly inspiring.
The Beginning of a New Career Path
This one-semester program, spanning seven sessions, was more than just a skill-building exercise; it was a time for students to know themselves deeply and feel their connection to the world.
The “Dream Pages” they created may not be the “final version” of their lives, but the thoughts they put into words here will serve as a vital compass whenever they feel lost or need to pause on their long career journeys ahead.
▼ See the program at Fukuoka Futaba High School on Instagram!
If you are interested in this program—which empowers students to design their own lives and nurture their dreams, leadership, and communication skills alongside global leaders active on the world stage—please visit the World Road Training page below.
[Click here for World Road Training & Workshop details]
Acknowledgments: We would like to express our deepest gratitude to One Young World (OYW) Japan, the world’s largest platform for next-generation leaders, for their immense cooperation and support in making this program possible.