Participating in AELC as an undergraduate was a bold challenge for me. At first, I felt very intimidated being surrounded by experienced graduate students. However, the mentorship and kindness I received from everyone pushed me to think deeply about my own path. This experience helped me find my own way to grow, both as a student and as a future educator.

 

Looking back, the Summer Session in Korea was a true test of my resilience. I remember struggling a lot with SPSS in the second session. However, I gave it my all and didn't give up. It was a tough period, but it taught me that overcoming challenges is the most important part of learning.

 

One image from our fieldwork in Korea is still burned into my mind: the high school we visited. I was shocked to see the desks used by third-year students. They were "upgraded" with special bookshelves towering right above their heads. To me, this was a silent but powerful symbol of the intense academic competition in Korea. It made me realize that education is not just about what happens in the classroom, but also about the social pressure and culture surrounding the students.

 

By the time we reached the Winter Session, I felt a personal breakthrough. My English had improved, and I found myself engaging more actively in every workshop. I was also deeply impressed by the different teaching styles of the professors. Each session showed me new ways to involve students and make learning effective. It made me rethink not just what we learn, but how we learn. This was a huge inspiration for my future studies.

 

Throughout this entire journey, my perspective on education has evolved. In Japan, people often say, "Japanese education should change to be more like systems in other countries." However, through AELC, I realized that it is not about simply copying another country. Instead, it is about having a wide perspective to identify what is "best," while respecting our own unique culture and context. We should learn from each other, but we must also understand our own roots.

 

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude for the generous financial support. Thanks to the travel and living expenses provided, I could focus entirely on this life-changing experience. Without this support, I would not have been able to gain these valuable insights.

 

This April, as I begin my graduate studies, I will carry these lessons with me. Thank you for this unforgettable journey. I look forward to seeing how we all work together to change the future of education.