26/06/2025
Full Circle Moment 💫
Yesterday, I attended a reunion of Youth Exchange Programs organized by JICE's International Exchange Programs (Japan International Cooperation Center) in Tokyo. It brought back memories from 11 years ago, when I first came to Japan as a JENESYS 2.0 delegate alongside fellow participants who have since become lifelong friends. It still amazes me how a 10-day exchange program in 2014 planted the seeds for the life I live today.
Ichigo Ichie “One life, one encounter.”
It was through the JENESYS program that I first learned about this concept, that every moment is unique and must be cherished. From dreaming about Japan to now calling it my second home, I’m deeply grateful for the people, the opportunities, and the lessons that have shaped this journey.
Looking back, JENESYS was a major turning point in my life because it helped me gain a deeper understanding of myself. It didn’t just open new doors; it helped me believe I was ready to walk through them. It showed me that cultural exchange can change how I see the world and how I belong in it.
And once you discover who you are, you find the courage to become who you’re meant to be.
