GBX Day Six: Learning with Omoiyari – Learning to Care and Understand from Various Perspectives

The sixth day of the Global Bridge Academy Xchange (GBX) programme proved to be a meaningful experience through the Global Citizenship Workshop held at the FFLC, themed ‘Our Omoiyari Journey’. Together with participants from various countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh, the United States and Brazil, GBX participants learnt to understand what it means to be a global citizen capable of listening, collaborating and respecting differences. During the workshop, participants were divided into four groups to discuss the feelings that arise when in a new environment. Through four stages SEE, FIND, SOLVE and PLAN each group was guided to identify their experiences and the root causes of problems, seek solutions together, and devise concrete steps to address them. Following the discussions, each group presented their findings to the judges and received recognition for their teamwork and the ideas they put forward. More than just discussing and presenting ideas, ‘Our Omoiyari Journey’ teaches the importance of empathy, compassion and the ability to consider the feelings and needs of others before acting. These values align with the CARE Curriculum of the Global Bridge Academy – Communication, Collaboration, Responsibility and Leadership – which encourages participants not only to develop skills, but also to become individuals capable of working together amidst diversity and making a positive impact on their surrounding communities. Meeting and exchanging ideas with friends from various countries made this experience all the more memorable. Once the entire series of workshops had concluded, the GBX participants bid farewell to their FFLC friends to move on to their next activities, taking with them new insights into the meaning of care and cross-cultural collaboration. The excitement of the sixth day continued with a visit to LaLaport Fukuoka, a shopping centre famous for its giant Gundam statue. The participants enjoyed some shopping, browsing the various products on offer, and soaking up the lovely evening atmosphere of Fukuoka around the shopping centre. After thoroughly exploring LaLaport, the journey back to the hotel via Japanese public transport brought this enjoyable day to a close. The sixth day offered a well-rounded mix of experiences: learning to understand others through workshops, building connections with friends from various countries, and enjoying city life in Fukuoka. It served as a reminder that being a global citizen is not just about getting to know the wider world, but also about learning to care for the people within it.