Journey to the GCI Summit
Aya’s journey to the Global Citizens Initiative (GCI) Summit began with an announcement by Mr. Malcolm, UWC ISAK Japan’s former head of school, during a school assembly. When he mentioned that the summit would be held in Scotland, Aya’s interest was immediately sparked. Visiting the UK had long been a dream of hers, inspired by her love for British literature, and the summit presented an ideal opportunity for her to finally do so. Exploring the program, she realized that she could both further a project she had recently started and connect with globally-minded students from around the world. Applying to GCI felt familiar, much like her experience applying to ISAK. Rather than finding it stressful, the application process gave her a rare chance to reflect on her past, present, and future—a unique opportunity to look inward and clarify her goals.
Building Confidence Through Challenges
One lunchtime during the summit, Aya found herself engaged in a deep conversation with a fellow student about religion—a topic often treated delicately in a diverse setting. This discussion, however, was marked by mutual respect and openness, with both sides listening intently to understand the other’s perspective, searching for common ground amid their differing convictions. “Ever since that discussion, I have marveled at the insights that you can gain from truly listening to the opinion of a person very different from yourself, and have wished that world leaders could approach global challenges with the intention to listen, rather than argue,” Aya reflected. Determined to make the most of her ten days in Scotland, Aya pushed herself to engage with as many people as she could. Despite flight complications due to a Microsoft glitch and the challenges of her first solo international trip, she gained confidence in her ability to handle unexpected situations and navigate independently.
A Memorable Speech and Reflection
A highlight of the summit for Aya was the design-thinking workshops, especially the ideation sessions that encouraged free and creative brainstorming. “It was hard at first to get past the mindset of wanting to suggest ‘perfect’ solutions, but it was amazing to witness how creative one could become when the pressure to be ‘correct’ and ‘practical’ was lifted,” she shared. The GCI summit taught her the value of creativity in problem-solving. Perhaps the most unexpected experience came when her peers selected her to give the final dinner speech. Though she felt nervous and a bit overwhelmed by the responsibility, she reflected on the incredible experiences of the summit and chose to express her gratitude to those around her. In her speech, she emphasized how the summit had encouraged students to listen with respect and intention while reminding them not to be afraid to assert their own voices. This opportunity deepened her sense of responsibility as a global citizen and left a lasting impact on her self-confidence.
The Power of Listening and Respect
The GCI experience provided continuous exposure to diverse perspectives. Aya and her peers learned about the Harkness technique, which emphasizes intentional listening over the urge to state or defend one’s opinion. They practiced predicting when someone intended to speak based on body language, allowing conversations to flow naturally and fostering deeper connections and understanding. This approach taught Aya to slow down, connect ideas, and explore new perspectives with greater intention.
Looking Forward to Future Impact
Back at UWC ISAK Japan, Aya is now working to incorporate these skills. The summit taught her the importance of slowing down to listen to others fully. “Especially since starting the IB, I have begun to make an effort to slow myself down and allow myself to intentionally listen to both others as well as myself,” she explained. With GCI’s support, Aya is developing a project aimed at positively impacting the ISAK community, and she hopes to return as a Teaching Assistant to a future GCI Summit. Reflecting on how impactful the Teaching Assistants were for her, she is eager to create a similar supportive environment for others. Looking back on her GCI experience, Aya feels immensely grateful for the connections she made, the lessons she learned, and the confidence she gained. Her time at the summit deepened her understanding of intentional listening and global citizenship, inspiring her to contribute meaningfully to the ISAK community and beyond.
