Royals Essay 3

Visiting Japan this summer changed my life for the better. I truly had no idea how much peace I would find in what I first assumed were just plain old drums. My summer abroad focused on exploring the lost art of Taiko drumming and using Taiko to spread peace throughout Japan. I explored many parts of the country and made countless memories that I will never forget. In this essay, I will reflect on how this pivotal experience, filled with joy, challenge, and deep cultural immersion, further enriched my personal growth and expanded my understanding of international unity. The first week on Sado Island was intense. Adjusting to a new country, it was full of highs and lows. I felt excitement, nervousness, and homesickness all at once but it didn’t stop my curiosity and determination to learn about the culture. I tried new foods, slept on a traditional futon in an old school, and spent hours in nature, which looked nothing like home. We learned Taiko drumming, a high energy performance art that involves choreographed drumming and ensemble. We spent eight hours over two days learning a song we would later perform across Japan in schools and to the elderly. It was arduous, but collaborating with my group strengthened my resilience and teamwork skills that will support me in the real world. At the end of the week, we sat in silence to reflect on our time on the island. I became emotional and cried because the beauty of Sado and the warmth of its people moved me so deeply and truly left a mark on me. Throughout my summer abroad, we visited schools, performed Taiko for Japanese students, and taught them American games. Their smiles reminded me how connection can bridge differences. I learned about the Ainu people and their fight to preserve their culture, which resonated with my own community’s struggles to be recognized. These moments affirmed that every culture is unique, valuable, and deserving of appreciation and recognition. One of the greatest highlights of my trip was my host family, who welcomed me with open arms immediately and made me feel like I belonged. One evening, I cooked chicken alfredo for them. Finding the ingredients in Japan was challenging, but seeing how much they enjoyed it made me proud. We spent evenings talking about our lives, families, and traditions, including my host mother’s fascination with Black hairstyles and how she has kept hers stylish over the years. Saying goodbye at the farewell party was emotional; I nearly cried while reading my thank-you letter because their kindness touched me so deeply. They showed me that kindness is universal, which is a lesson leaders everywhere could use to strengthen unity in our communities. This summer truly transformed me and changed my life for the better. I learned to embrace new experiences and discovered that kind people exist everywhere. As I navigate through high school and eventually college, I will apply these lessons to build friendships and face challenges such as group projects with confidence and openness. The Student Diplomacy Corps program and my host family taught me that our differences can unite us. It has inspired me to implement more unity in our communities. I am deeply grateful for Japan and the friendships I formed, and I will carry these memories with me as I strive to spread kindness wherever I go to emphasize my leadership. I believe that my summer abroad connects deeply to leadership because it drove me to step outside of my comfort zone. Traveling to another country requires learning new languages, adjusting to new societal norms, and immersing yourself in a new culture. Through these experiences, I’ve developed leadership skills such as confidence and independence. Learning how to respect and understand unfamiliar cultures aids in developing cultural awareness. A good leader works with many people from many different backgrounds, and my summer abroad has helped further prepare me for that reality. My summer abroad has also strengthened my problem solving skills, as navigating a new country and managing finances in unfamiliar currencies can be difficult. It is crucial that in stressful situations, leaders stay calm and quickly find solutions. My summer abroad has helped me become more open-minded and curious when it comes to exploring new cultures. Beyond personal growth, my summer abroad has taught me collaboration on a more global level. Working with peers from different countries has helped me understand the value of different viewpoints and styles of leadership. It has also helped me further improve my teamwork skills and has taught me how to manage diverse groups. It has emphasized the importance of compromise and attentiveness when solving problems together. My summer abroad has also increased my global awareness. Gaining first hand knowledge of some of the international issues that take place in Japan and seeing them up close has inspired me to become more socially responsible as a leader. It has also encouraged me to be more considerate of others and think about how my decisions might impact other peers and other communities. My summer abroad has also inspired me to further research how to ensure I am communicating effectively in my desired career, which is construction management. It has opened my eyes to how infrastructure connects people across the globe. It has also revealed the bigger picture of the industry, which is the impact that construction has on economies, communities, and the environment on a more large scale. Lastly, my experience has helped me further strengthen my communication skills. Although there were language barriers, I was still able to express myself effectively and clearly through nonverbal communication. I believe that this is essential to leadership because it helps build strong relationships. My summer abroad was more than an educational experience; it was a life changing one. I developed independence, resilience, teamwork, adaptability, and cultural awareness, which are all essential qualities that are looked for in a strong, effective leader.