GBX Day Five: Exploring Fukuoka, Delving into History and Forging Cross-Cultural Friendships

The fifth day of the Global Bridge Academy Xchange (GBX) programme was an exciting and story-filled outdoor experience in Fukuoka, Japan. Together with Bridge Club Japan (BCJ), the participants went on a historical tour to explore various landmarks and gain a deeper understanding of Japan’s cultural heritage, including a visit to Gokusho Temple, a Buddhist temple. Throughout the tour, friends from BCJ enthusiastically shared their knowledge of local history and culture. Although the activity involved a lot of walking and was quite tiring, it was thoroughly enjoyable as every step brought new insights, laughter and a sense of togetherness. What’s more, the participants wore their GBX outfits with their eye-catching designs, which made the day’s activities feel even more special. More than just sightseeing and learning about history, this event provided an opportunity to forge new connections and friendships. Through shared conversations and experiences, the participants learnt that friendships can flourish despite differences in language, culture and nationality. Cultural exchange is not just about getting to know the lives of other communities, but also about learning to understand, appreciate and care for one another. This eventful day concluded with a dinner attended by GBX and BCJ participants at a restaurant near Hakata City. The joy was made complete when a former APCC executive treated the participants to gelato at VITO. This simple moment provided a sweet ending to the fifth day of GBX, leaving behind memories of history, friendship and the warmth that had grown during the journey through Japan.