Up to this day, I can still remember how I felt from the very first time I set foot into UWC ISAK Japan: nervousness, excitement, and uncertainty. I wasn’t used to many things such as the food we ate, the people we talked to, the house we lived in, the ways we learned… and much more. I knew I had to adapt quickly in order to survive, so I told myself to perk up and decided it was the time to get used to things. Over the course of the year, I have finally realised why people love UWC. 

1. Favorite memories become extremely hard to pick. In just one year, I’ve participated in and done many things, old or new. There are so many memorable experiences I would label as my “favorite”: Sakura trip, whole grade sleepover, project week, friend outings, skiing trip...etc. It’s so hard to choose because everything teaches you something different and new.

2.You feel much more astonished and accomplished than before. One main reason why people choose UWC is because they want to “ step out of their comfort zone”. I was one of the many people who constantly heard that phrase but never really knew what it meant. Being a part of the UWC community, it forced me to do challenging things, like it or not. One of the most challenging things this year was probably Spring project week. Tied with our leadership lesson, we had to design our very own three-day trip according to careers we’re interested in pursuing in the future. During these three days, I interviewed students and professors from Tokyo University, manager of an animal shelter, and head of an Interior Design company (Steven Leach Taiwan) along with two other designers. Not only that, I also went to an art museum and a dance school for dance workshops. Despite serious language barriers, the hardest part of this whole trip was probably reaching out to people and connecting with different companies. 

3.You make friends who eventually become a big part of your life. It feels like I have known the friends I made in ISAK for years. Even though in reality I’ve only known them for a year. I think one big reason is because you have to see them every day. In the past, when conflicts arise between friends, often times I would choose to avoid it because I can go home and hide. Being here at ISAK, it’s different. You have to settle down and attempt to resolve things because you’ll see them the next day. That’s partly what made my friendships here so valuable.

I am now heading my way onto the IB journey; I’m not ready, but I’m learning to be. UWC makes you want to challenge yourself, much like a wall of spikes approaching you and forcing you to move forward. To cut it short, UWC teaches you to be the best version of yourself. I’m excited to see how the UWC experience will change others like it has changed me.