Global Classmates Summit

Logan Voelker, Coronado High School (Nevada)

Through this summit, I learned so much more about Japanese culture—from school policies and SDGs to the idea of mottainai and even Japanese perspectives on the U.S. I also discovered new ways I can contribute to U.S.-Japan relations, both through exchange programs and in my future career. Along the way, I improved my ability to communicate and connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and I even picked up more Japanese language and slang. This experience reassured me in my choice to minor in Japanese, since I really enjoy learning the language and culture. I also want to possibly participate in the JET Program and pursue a career where I can foster U.S.-Japan relations within the engineering field. The summit showed me just how fulfilling it can be to act as a bridge between two cultures, and it also introduced me to many exchange opportunities I could join in the future. Overall, the summit was a truly unique and eye-opening experience. It changed the way I see how I can contribute to international relations, while also giving me so much fun, learning, and lifelong friends.

Abdullah Abdulaziz, Harding High School (Minnesota)

Before the summit, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I thought I’d major in finance, but I didn’t have any real passion for it. After learning about all the different aspects of U.S.-Japan relations, I was inspired to pursue a career in this field – something I’m truly passionate about. I feel like I found my purpose through the summit, something I might never have discovered otherwise. I’ve since shifted my major from finance to international business and relations. What inspired me most were the guest speakers, whose passion for their work was truly inspiring, which motivated me to also help people and contribute to U.S.-Japan relations. After college, I hope to join the JET Program for a year or two before starting my career, as I’ve heard it’s an amazing way to build grassroots connections. The knowledge I gained about the importance of U.S.-Japan relations was invaluable. Before the summit, I had no idea how complex and interconnected it was. And coming from a place where I rarely meet Japanese people, I realized just how meaningful those everyday interactions can be – especially when learning the language.

Evie Ishak, Los Gatos High School (California)

I loved the Global Classmates Summit very much. I made some of the best friends of my life in less than 10 days. I’ve never been amazing at building strong friendships, but even though we had only just met, I feel like these bonds will last forever. Spending time with them helped me grow so much in communication and perspective, and I know we’ll stay connected in the future.

I learned that career paths don’t have to be linear. As a high school student applying to college, I felt pressured to know exactly what I wanted to do. But through the summit, I realized that I don’t have to have it all figured out, and even if I choose a path now, I can always change it later. My mindset has shifted from being scared of the future to being excited about it. I’m definitely planning to study abroad, and while I’m still exploring career interests, I’m more open than ever. I’ve become more interested in ethnography -the study of people and culture – and would love to work in a field that brings together different cultures. International relations sounds exciting too, but I’m keeping my options open! This was such an amazing experience, and I’d be thrilled if more people – at my school or anywhere – could have the chance to experience it.

Akari Saito, Kakogawa Nishi High School (Hyogo)

After participating in the Summit, I became much more open-minded. In Japan, where my daily life often revolves around going back and forth between school and home, it is rare to meet such a diverse group of people. Through the program, I met people from many different backgrounds and was exposed to a wide range of cultures and ways of thinking. While my motivation to pursue entrepreneurship—something I had already been interested in—grew stronger, I also developed a new interest in the possibility of working for an international organization. Through the Summit, my way of thinking changed, and without exaggeration, it truly changed my life. I felt that not only I, but everyone in the program experienced significant personal growth.

Harinari Akaishi, Isezaki High School (Gunma)

The Summit was an irreplaceable and invaluable experience for an ordinary 17-year-old high school student like me. It allowed me to build close connections with wonderful peers from across Japan and the United States, while also hearing directly from professionals working in a wide range of fields. I believe the lessons I gained through this experience will remain treasures throughout my life. Through participating in the Summit, I became better at building positive relationships with others and found it easier to show my true self. I realized that this openness is essential for encouraging others to open up as well. I also began to think more deeply about the kind of person I want to be—someone I would genuinely enjoy being around. This realization was the most powerful takeaway for me. In addition, I learned about the wide range of exchange programs that exist between the United States and Japan. Learning about scholarship and cultural exchange opportunities broadened my perspective on possible future career paths. Because I realized that communication lies at the heart of the journalism and media field I hope to pursue, I developed a strong interest in communication studies and also became interested in studying diplomacy, which I see as an extension of communication.

Sarah Ichinokawa, Kaichi High School (Saitama)

Through this summit, the world I knew became bigger and bigger every day. I learned that “diverse makes better,” and at the same time I came to better understand the diversity of the world and the conflicts that can come with it. I was also deeply inspired by my peers’ passion for U.S.-Japan relations. Additionally, my communication skills, emotional understanding, and presentation skills improved greatly. I was encouraged by the realization that even someone like me can contribute to the world, which gave me greater confidence. Before the summit, I didn’t have a strong interest in any particular field. However, through this experience, I realized that education is a field with great potential and an important need for development. In the future, I hope to contribute to the development of education in Japan and help foster students who are more open-minded. Because the Summit was such a wonderful experience for me—probably the best experience I have ever had—it helped me recognize my own strengths and think more clearly about the kind of career path I would like to pursue. It truly broadened my horizons, made me a more open-minded person, and also gave me some of the best friendships I have ever had. Now I feel excited about going to college and about discovering how I can make a positive change in the world and contribute to the community around me. I would love for my juniors to have the opportunity to experience this as well.