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"My sense of values expanded as I interacted with diverse students from Asia."

Izumi Kim, 4th year School of Advanced Science and Engineering

I participated in the BXAI Summer Program 2023 (hereafter BXAI Program) held at Waseda University from August 4th to August 18th, 2023 as a Student Advisor on the Waseda University staff. BXAI Program is a once-a-year event where people meet to learn and interact together through various workshops and cultural activities, and a gathering of scholars from the Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP), which is run by the Hong Kong-based Bai Xian Asia Research Council (BXAI).  Each year, BXAI's partner universities take turns hosting the event, and this year, the first in-person event in three years, 68 participants from all over Asia gathered at the host, Waseda University.

The reason I applied to be a Student Advisor for BXAI Program was because I saw past videos and photos and thought it looked like it would be a lot of fun, and most importantly, through international exchange with Asian students and facilitation at events, I thought it was a great opportunity to expand my horizons and grow significantly.

Digest video of BXAI Program 2023

When I actually participated, I learned more and was more inspired than I expected. While working as a Student Advisor to encourage interaction between participants and prepare and assist with various activities, the first thing that struck me was the high level of ambition and hard work of the participants.

The members of the group I was in charge of included a student who started youth groups involved in regional development and urban planning in Southeast Asia, a student who wanted to deepen their current majors and work in academia, and a student who studied in multiple countries. There were people who wanted to use their experience to do international work, and each of them had big dreams.

It is never easy to study abroad and learn in an environment that is not your native language, and it is not easy to choose to do so on your own, but I was very impressed by the way these students are working with enthusiasm and aspirations to achieve their dreams. Additionally, in addition to their native language and English, many of them were fluent in several languages, including the language of the host country. I was also impressed by the effort behind this, and my own motivation to learn languages increased.

At this year's BXAI Program, we held Sports Chanbara at Waseda Arena on Toyama Campus as a team building activity on the first day.

The overall theme of BXAI Program was "Transformation of Globalization." A variety of seminars and workshops on topics such as self-analysis, leadership, and entrepreneurship were held every day, including lectures on Asian politics and economics, AI (artificial intelligence), carbon neutrality, and resource recycling, as well as seminars and workshops on topics such as self-analysis, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

I was in charge of facilitating the group work. It was impressive to see the participants listening to each other's statements and discussions, and each person thinking for themselves and asserting their opinions. Instead of forcing opinions on the participants, they accepted the differences in the backgrounds of each participant, listened to each other's arguments, and sometimes taught each other things they didn't know while forming opinions. I believe that it is because of this diversity that we were able to develop a richer discussion.

Left: Lectures and seminars were mainly held at Waseda Campus Building No. 3. At the opening ceremony, President Tanaka was also present.
Right: Lecture scene. Instructors participated both face-to-face and online.

Furthermore, BXAI Program is not limited to academic activities such as lectures and seminars. One of the goals and the biggest appeal of the program is for participants from different backgrounds to interact and foster friendships through sports, day trips, and study trips. Every time I work with the members of my assigned group and talk about the life, culture, history, etc. of each other's countries and regions, I gain new insights and want to know more, and my own worldview expands.

We went to Nikko on a study trip. We had a great time at Kegon Falls and Nikko Edomura. While walking around Nikko Edomura wearing yukata (right), we were able to hear stories about the traditional costumes and performing arts of each hometown.

I believe that the experience I had in BXAI Program, where I was able to talk with Asian students of the same age, share experiences, and understand each other on a real-life level, was extremely valuable. I don't usually have many opportunities to interact with students from all over Asia, so I would like to consciously participate in cross-cultural exchanges like this in the future.

I was surrounded by eight friends who served as Student Advisors and BXAI staff. Thank you very much for your help! (I am second from the left)