Gakko. Akaiwa-shi, Okayama, Japan | Summer of 2018
At the young age of 17, I hopped on a plane to Japan for the adventure of a lifetime. I landed in the Land of the Rising Sun, not knowing what to expect. But little did I know, I was about to embark on the most mind-bending, life-changing, and downright fun experience of my young existence.
Picture this: a summer camp set in the heart of the Japanese countryside, where the heat of the summer sun meets the thrill of adolescent innocence. It was all the beautiful things there is on earth, and I couldn’t wait to tell you all about it!
A Summer Camp? a Summer School? in Japan?
Most of my mates assumed that I learnt the typical, traditional science. Some of them imagined that I spoke fluent Japanese and did complex trigonometry (also in Japanese) while I was there.
Although I surely do hope that I was that smart, the program offered a lot more than that.
Gakko was actually designed to be a “curiousity-based” platform. There were no strict rules, rigid textbooks, nor annoying teachers. Instead of math, we learned how to make music with just our body. Rather than theology, we worshipped a goldfish named Yuki. And geography? Forget about it! Instead, we learned how to cultivate our own peaches, practiced yoga, tinkered with robotics, and moved our bodies to the rhythm of spicy salsa beats.
Frankly speaking, what sets Gakko apart from any other program was their way to provide a safe space for everyone. During the two weeks I spent there, I felt that I was in a nurturing and welcoming environment, which helped me to be more open and confident. The “senpai” were approachable, and they made sure that each participant felt heard and supported. The participants came from diverse backgrounds, and it was interesting to learn from their experiences and perspectives. Some of them even came all the way from areas of conflict such as Syria, Sudan, and Israel. Gakko put so much effort to make sure the surroundings to be as inclusive as it could be. They even offered financial-aid, and I was one of the lucky-ones to have it!
The program was designed to encourage curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. We were given the freedom to explore different topics and express ourselves in various ways. It was refreshing to learn without the pressure of grades or competition. The program also provided opportunities for us to engage with the local community and learn about their culture. We visited local businesses and learned about their sustainability practices. My experience at Gakko was transformative, and I left feeling inspired, empowered, and more aware of the world around me.
