My name is Karen, and in the follow-up workshop hosted by Tobitate Ryugaku × World Road, I participated as one of the onset staff members.
This event provided a platform for participants who had returned from their study abroad experiences to present their fresh experiences. In this event, participants were divided into groups where they engaged with “Dreamers” from around the world and received valuable feedback from them. Moreover, through mentoring from the Dreamers, participants were given support and encouragement in formulating future plans to achieve their dreams. Through presentations and Q&A sessions, participants exchanged different perspectives and shared new ideas, inspiring each other along the way.
As an onset staff member, my role was to ensure that the participants’ presentations proceeded smoothly. The sessions started with introductions from the Dreamers, followed by participants sharing what they had learned during their time abroad, including daily routines and moments of cultural shock. Since participants were paired with Dreamers whose fields of expertise aligned with theirs, they actively engaged with and asked questions of Dreamers.
What struck me most was the incredible diversity of the environment. Participants who studied abroad in different countries openly shared their experiences and dreams with Dreamers worldwide. While this exchange felt natural for everyone involved, it was truly remarkable to witness people from such varied backgrounds come together and share their unique journeys.
Despite the diverse backgrounds of the participants and dreamers, one thing they all had in common was a strong sense of “passion.” It was evident that they were eager to explain their experiences and share them with Dreamers. There were even moments when team members would ask each other, “How do you say this in English?” and work together to help each other express their thoughts in English.
At the end of the event, each group took a photo together on Zoom, and some groups exchanged social media accounts with the Dreamers. Observing them enjoy the interaction until the very end made me realize once again the beauty of new connections. Despite some technical issues with Zoom, the participants handled the situation flexibly, and we as the event staff were able to manage the challenges smoothly.
Although I participated as a staff member, hearing about the participants’ experiences and dreams was truly inspiring. Seeing everyone work so hard towards their dreams made me reflect on my own ambitions and boosted my motivation to keep pursuing my own dreams with strong passion.
