When I joined the 2024 CAMPUS-Asia6 initiative at the University of Tsukuba, I didn’t expect was that this journey would turn into a deeply personal reflection on learning, growing, and connecting across cultures, disciplines, and generations. In ProgramB, we were a small group, just three participants: a fellow Malaysian, an exchange student from Shanghai, and myself. We shared more than just assignments and sessions; we shared stories, perspectives, and hopes for what education and policy could become, not only in our own countries, but globally. This was enhanced with the chance to connect with passionate students from South Korea, China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Japan, sharing perspectives on what education should mean today. These conversations stretched my thinking far beyond what I expected. Even as someone in my 40s, I never once felt out of place. Instead, I felt reenergized by the purpose we all shared: to co-create a livable, equitable, and joyful society, which are not mere ideas, but of hope. The field visits were a standout, learning from institutions like JAXA, AIST, the recycling plant, and Tsukuba’s incinerator facility gave insight into how Japan innovates through sustainable practices, how education, policy, and environmental responsibility are deeply interconnected based on governance, sustainability, and education, echoing SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Each activity reminded me that the most sustainable systems are not only environmentally sound, but socially inclusive and human-centered. Climbing Mount Tsukuba was a symbolic moment for me, stepping higher, deliberately one foot at a time, echoing the lifelong journey of growth and perseverance. It reminded me that sustainable societies are built one effort, one step, and one choice at a time. Looking out from the summit, I wasn’t just gazing at the city below, I was seeing my journey thus far: the choices I’ve made, the struggles I’ve overcome, and the quiet strength that comes from walking your path with intention. At 44, that climb wasn’t just physical, it was emotional and spiritual. It wasn’t about proving experience; it was about reaffirming purpose. It reminded me that we all have something to contribute, no matter our age or background. We live in a world that desperately needs empathetic leaders, bold thinkers, and kind hearts. Programs like these reignite the belief that change is not just possible, it is inevitable when we commit to it together. To my younger friends in their 20s: life isn’t a race. It’s a long, winding journey filled with doors waiting to be opened. You don’t have to know everything now. What matters is courage to try, to connect, and to remain open. Seek meaning, not just success. Prioritize people, not just positions. And most importantly, be someone who lives consciously, aware of the planet, your community, and your relationship with God. Because in the end, it is not about having it all figured out, but being present, purposeful, and kind along the way. As we sing and dance on CA6 Musication Night, laughter echoing in the halls and hearts full from shared memories, we are reminded that even the brightest moments must find their close. Though we return to our countries and continue on different paths, the bond we’ve created transcends borders. May these memories fuel our journey ahead, and may our dreams intersect again someday. Until then, let us walk with purpose, live with heart, and hold this chapter close. CAMPUS-Asia6 was never just a program—it was a spark.
■ When dreams launch and futures engineered, even the sky is not the limit.
■ From here, the world looks vast. A gentle reminder that every step upwards reveals a new perspective.
