2026年を迎え、次なるRSIC参加者への架け橋となるよう、RSIC2025の学校代表生徒４名のEssayを４回にわたり掲載します。
Expanding My World: A Global Perspective from Dubai (1-8 M.H.)
Motivation: Experiencing the Culture Gap
I participated in Round Square in Dubai as representative of Kogakuin. I participated in this program, because I felt that I want to expand my worldview and to experience the gap between Japan and foreign countries. Previously, I went to Perth in Australia for homestay for two weeks, and there were numerous culture gaps, such as walking without their shoes but bare feet and lifestyle that was strongly affected by their regions. Since I felt shocking culture gap in Australia, I started to feel interests in other countries and want to know about them.
Arrival: Shock and Gratitude at the Airport
When I finished 11 hours of flight from Japan to Dubai, I was shocked of the size of Dubai International Airport. Its extent was so huge that we had to take a train to get our baggage. After we took our baggage, the students from Round Square’s host school welcomed us. We had conversation and few minutes later, some of the students bought us a snack for us. I was filled with gratitude. Soon, other schools from many different countries arrived and we were ready to enjoy the program, we took the bus to go to the host school where we were having welcome party.
First Experiences: Soccer under the Sun and Desert Buffet
It was free to do anything at the time, so I was able to make a lot of friends from all around the world. I made friends from the host school, and we played soccer in the booths. The game was outside, and the temperature was burning hot, so I fully understood the harshness of the climate of Dubai. For dinner, we ate Indian buffet in desert. I tried camel ride for the first time in my life, and it was so impressive of the view of the desert from the height of the camel. The dinner was mostly Indian food that it was spicy, but I like it.
New Connections: Meeting International Roommates
Arriving at the hotel, I was the only one who was going to stay with people who I don’t know, but I felt this was a good opportunity to communicate and learn about foreign culture and I was looking forward to it. There were two roommates and one from America and the other from India. Person from America could speak Japanese skillfully, because he used to study Japanese. My roommates were both friendly and kind, so I felt relieved.
Modern Wonders: Opening Ceremony and Futuristic Cruise
On the second day, we went to host school called Indian High School and had opening ceremony. There were bands playing music and we were having a brief break from tight scheduled program. In the night, we had dinner on a cruise which had gone around the city of Dubai. The cruise passed by the buildings, such as the world’s biggest Ferris wheel called Ain Dubai Ferris Wheel. Its size was gigantic and the light up was aesthetic that I was about to cry full of impressions. Also, with the view from the cruise, I could see that the roads were all illuminated with blue-colored light and felt futuristic from it.
Baraza Groups: Connecting Beyond Borders
On the third day, we finally met with our baraza group member and the leader. There were 12 people in each baraza group, and they were from different countries. At first, my mind was strained but as we talked about the programs we had done on earlier days and about our countries, my tension started to ease.
Social Service: Happiness through the Heart
On fourth day, we went to the host school called GEMs Modern Academy and prepared the activity booths for the elementary students who were having disability. I was in charge of art booth, and I lectured for the students. I found it difficult in some parts, but I was reminded that even if we are having difficulty communicating, we can communicate and share happiness with each other through our hearts. This was so valuable experience that it might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Cultural Clash: The Shabu-shabu Incident
On the last day, we all participated in treasure hunting game in the mall next to the hotel where we stayed. The mall was huge, and everyone got exhausted from walking for the goal. Finally, we finished the hunting game, our baraza group went to the restaurant of Shabu-shabu, and because it was Japanese cultural food, there were only chopstick for the material to eat and everyone in the baraza were having difficulty of using them. At the time, there were members who could not eat specific meat, because of their religion and allergies. One of them was the boy from Germany and he could not eat chicken and pork, because of his religion but eat beef. He did not find beef on the plate that he ordered the plates of beef. Shockingly, the course that we were taking had beef plate afterward, so the boy got angry and complained to the waiter. I found the big difference from Japan, because Japanese does not often complain to waiter irrationally like this.
Farewells: Personal Growth and Future Goals
At the last night, we had closing ceremony, and because it was the last few hours to spend time with the friends, the separation became painful. We had the ceremony in the hall in the hotel where we stayed and had the last dinner there. Baraza group members got together at the very end and said goodbye to the others. I missed my best friend the most who was my baraza leader. He lives in Dubai, so he supported me all the time in the program, and he even introduced his school friends to me for the growth of personal connections.
From this experience, I heartily understood the cultural gap, such as the time when German boy complained unreasonably to the waiter and the mind of the people from other countries which trash untouched foods to the garbage. On the good side, they were friendly and was so kind that it was lot easier to make friends there than in Japan. Through this program, I have gone through a lot of difficulties and obstacles, that I became diplomatic, and my time management skills got better. I became diplomatic by communicating with numerous people and my time management skills were improved from the mindset that I could not be late for the time.
I did not have specific dreams for the future, but since I experienced this Round Square, what was invisible has taken shape and I am thinking of getting a job in a foreign company. It is a perfect opportunity for expanding your worldview and to know about other countries’ culture, so for those who are thinking of participating in Round Square, please go and try it.
