Voices
Participants' Voices
“Before joining this program, I found it difficult to interact with others and often spent time alone. However, every participant here was kind and welcoming, and I started to enjoy talking to people. At first, I hesitated to speak up, but after learning about the concept of the ‘First Penguin,’ I decided to embrace failure and express myself more. Thanks to this, I was the first to raise my hand for the final speech challenge—I truly felt like I had become a ‘First Penguin.’
From January next year, I will be studying abroad in Canada. I am eager to apply what I learned in this program, continue valuing teamwork and initiative, and take steps toward my dreams.”
“As both an individual and a student aspiring to work in the international field, I know there were many areas where I lacked knowledge and experience. Yet, I was warmly welcomed and given countless learning opportunities. Meeting highly motivated peers and professionals working in global roles was truly inspiring.
I hope to maintain these connections and continue this journey together. When we meet again, I want to show a more grown and accomplished version of myself. I will keep striving for the future, embracing everything I have learned here.”
- This experience was a significant opportunity for me to reflect on my identity and future aspirations.
- Looking back, every moment was filled with joyful and delicious memories, which makes me incredibly happy.
- Visiting multiple international organizations allowed me to form a clearer picture by engaging with real individuals rather than just recognizing institutional names.
- While learning can be done alone, I realized that some insights can only be gained through interactions with others.
- Meeting new mentors and peers, each with completely different backgrounds, provided endless learning opportunities.
- I had the privilege of hearing valuable stories and firsthand experiences that I could never have obtained just from reading materials—these have become unforgettable memories for me.
- Even in fields I had little interest in or thought I was weak at, I found many topics fascinating once I listened to discussions. This made me realize the importance of keeping an open mind and exploring multiple options without limiting myself.
- Each day was incredibly fulfilling, filled with new discoveries, making these nine days an intense and enriching experience.
Parental Feedback
What do you feel your child has learned through this program?
- I believe my child has started to think more deeply about connections beyond what is immediately visible in their surroundings. They have realized that many things, though unseen, are interconnected, and this awareness has encouraged them to reflect more on these hidden links. They also seem to have learned that there are different ways to apply and utilize the knowledge they already had.
- Through this program, they not only deepened their understanding of fields they were already interested in but also broadened their perspective by interacting with peers who have different interests.
- During the cooperation simulation and the “Prisoner’s Dilemma” exercise, they experienced the difficulty of building trust while considering the emotions of others. This gave them a greater appreciation for the importance of professionals working in the field and prompted them to think about what role they could play in the future.
Did you notice any changes in your child’s mindset or behavior after the program?
- Their motivation toward life has significantly increased, and they now believe that they can accomplish anything. I have also noticed that when they want something, they actively think about how to achieve it and take action on their own.
- After participating in this program, they seem to have gained a much clearer vision of their goals. Upon returning home, they immediately started researching various topics they learned about, exploring ways they could contribute as a high school student in Japan, and taking concrete steps toward action.
Voices from Participating Organizations & Guests
Visit by High School Students from the Four Goods Summer School (August 8, 2024)
On August 8, as part of the Four Goods Vision Project, 16 Japanese high school students and organization representatives visited our Mission. We provided an overview of the role and responsibilities of the Mission within international organizations, as well as guidance on career pathways to international institutions.
UNITAR, Julian Caletti, Associate Programme Officer
“At UNITAR, we had the pleasure of conducting a seminar for Four Goods, including a space survival simulation, where the students achieved the highest scores I have ever seen.”
“It was a fantastic experience to work with such highly talented young individuals. We truly enjoyed the workshop, and we hope the students not only had fun but also gained valuable insights from the training. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the summer school in the future.”
- UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) is a specialized UN agency that provides education and training on sustainable development, peacebuilding, and governance.
Prospert, Johan Lobmeyer, Founder of Prospert, the Swiss Education Center, Multipe-times Entrepreneur
“Prospert had the honour of being selected by Four Goods to introduce our activities to Japanese teenagers visiting Geneva.
We conducted a Money Fresk simulation, and participants gained valuable insights, such as the importance of considering both short- and long-term financial planning, as well as recognising that finance is not just about investments but also involves daily money management. They greatly enjoyed the realistic aspects of the game.”
- prospert is Swiss Financial Strengthening Center
GIGA, Yannick Heiniger, Acting Lead
“Giga was delighted to host a delegation of 16 Japanese high school students at ITU recently, giving us the chance to introduce the next generation of innovators and decision makers to ITU and the work of Giga. The students offered some great insights on the digital revolution.”
- Giga is a project launched in September 2019 by UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and ITU (International Telecommunication Union). It aims to connect schools worldwide to the internet, providing all young people with access to information, opportunities, and choices, as part of the Universal Connectivity initiative.