Before entering university, I was only vaguely interested in living and studying abroad, and not particularly keen to join international activities or support developing countries. In hindsight, major turning points came after starting at Okayama University and joining the Special Course for Global Human Resource Development (G Course).
 The first turning point was when I learned about the TABLE FOR TWO (TFT) Program as part of my first year’s coursework at the university. TFT is a global initiative started in Japan to help correct the global food imbalance by donating part of the money paid to purchase healthy meals in developed countries to provide school meals for children in developing countries. I was so impressed by this initiative that I wanted to introduce it in Okayama University. Before I knew it, I was taking action, first alone, and then with a group of collaborators, and the following spring I started an organization called Okayama University TFT. Originally a one-man project, Okayama University TFT now has more than 20 members, and its achievements have been recognized with a top prize in Okayama University’s President Award.
 Gradually, I became more and more interested in international activities while studying on the G Course, worked with internationally-oriented friends, engaged in TFT activities, and interacted with international students through various programs offered by Okayama University.
 The next major turning point came when I participated in the 72nd Japan-America Student Conference. I learned about this conference during an international meeting held in Tsukuba (Tsukuba Conference), and was very interested in it. To attend the conference, I had to be selected from among outstanding and highly talented students applying from all over Japan. Though I doubted my English proficiency and ability to promote myself would be as good as other applicants, I decided to apply, encouraged by my teachers and classmates at the G Course. As it turned out, I was selected to attend the conference as the only participant from the Chugoku/Shikoku region.
 At the conference, students from Japan and the U.S. discussed a wide range of topics frankly and openly each day for about two weeks. Attending the conference made me realize the importance of participating in this kind of international meeting from a rural area, and I felt my lack of understanding of global issues, as well knowledge about my own country, Japan. While the 72nd Japan-America Student Conference was held online for the first time ever due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I enjoyed the heated discussions and still remain in frequent touch with many participants.
 That conference motivated me to join more international activities, attend international conferences, and learn more about Japan-U.S. relations. Inspired by this experience, I then applied for the Ambassador’s Youth Council, a program offered by the U.S. Consulate in Osaka-Kobe to deepen understanding of Japan-U.S. relations, and successfully passed the screening. In the screening interview, the interviewer was interested in my TFT activities, which unexpectedly led to a lively conversation between us, making me realize that one’s experience and learning can prove to be helpful in unimagined ways.
 Through my experience of joining international activities and working with internationally-oriented people, I have learned the importance of actively tackling exciting goals, pursuing our interests and trusting our own instincts, even if there is no example to follow or the hurdle seems too high. We have only one life to live. I strongly believe that we should communicate what we think to people around us and take action.

As of January 2022