ありがとうございます。 “Arigatou gozaimasu”

Passengers Please Fasten Your Seat Belts and Prepare for Take-off

[Pre Departure]

This past spring break of 2025, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel with Morehouse College to Japan, visiting Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo—during the annual Spring Tour.

The Spring Tour is not the traditional study-abroad experience that many are accustomed to. Instead, it was designed to expose Morehouse students to global business practices and foreign customs. This opportunity is offered to students who have demonstrated academic excellence, personal growth, and contributions to the Morehouse community.The application process includes a 12–15 page research paper on a given topic (feel free to reach out if you'd like a copy of mine), a personal statement (titled Creating Change to Become the Best I Can Be), an unofficial transcript, and two faculty recommendations. All materials are typically due the week before Homecoming.

After braving the rigorous work required to complete your application, you are then vetted extensively by the admissions council. The exact details of this process were not fully shared, but I can only assume it involves reviewing academic records, ensuring there are no disciplinary infringements, etc. What we were told was that applicants were vetted as thoroughly as possible to ensure that only the most qualified students were selected as global ambassadors for Morehouse College.

BUT what makes this experience even better? If chosen, you don’t have to pay a thing!

So, as you can imagine, the program is highly coveted and competitive. This year’s trip was set to be the largest in history, with nearly 100 applicants, but only 22 apot available.

I worked on my application for weeks. I had spoken with a friend, and we were both planning to submit our applications. Funny enough, we both had similar reasons for applying.

We came to the realization that we were excelling in all the pillars that define a Man of Morehouse, except for “Well Traveled.”

Excerpt from Creating Change to Become the Best I Can Be

This shift in perspective wasn’t just a solitary epiphany; it was significantly influenced by Dr. Wesley Sims, one of my professors in the physics department. During one of our “barbershop talks” as I like to call them. This is a moment after class when my peers and I ask our professors questions beyond the course material. This day we learned how Dr. Sims found his time at Morehouse earning his physics degree more enriching than his experiences at either of his graduate institutions. He said, ‘At Morehouse, you’re not only getting a great education in your chosen field; you’re also exposed to diverse subjects and perspectives, truly becoming a Renaissance man.’

I submitted my application early (at least, I think I did) hoping it would increase my odds of getting accepted.

May His Legacy Live On

A classmate asked me after he found out I had already submitted, “So you wrote that 15-page paper and all?!” To which I jokingly responded, “Well yeah, you had to.”

I don’t blame him for thinking it was a lot of work, because, at the end of the day, it was. But what helped me the most was the wise words of a dear classmate and friend, Winston Perryman '25.

Winston has sadly passed on, but his legacy still lives at Morehouse. If I’m not mistaken, he was on a full-ride through scholarships and was ever-present in the (then-named) Dual Degree Engineering Program, earning more scholarships and internship opportunities than I had ever seen.

Winston Perryman '25

One day, as we were talking, he mentioned that he had to get going to work on yet another application, this time, I believe it was for a scholarship.

I told him, “I don’t know how you do it, man. I just never feel like writing all those essays and doing all that!”

To which he responded:

“Yes, it’s a lot of work—but think of it like this: scholarships are the only way you can make thousands of dollars in just a few hours.”

To this day, I share that quote any chance I get. Because it applies to so much more than scholarships.

It’s easy to put things off, be lazy, or say you don’t have time. But at this pivotal point in our lives, we are blessed with so many opportunities for career development and financial support—all for just a few hours of effort.

I dwell on this just in case someone reading this is at the same crossroads I find myself at anytime an opportunity or scholarship hits my inbox.

Just get it done.

The Moment I Found Out

It was an interesting moment when I found out I had been accepted into the Spring Tour 2025.

I wasn’t thinking too much about my application status. I know people always say that, but I truthfully wasn’t. At the time, I had just spent a week in Fort Worth, Texas, at the Great Minds in STEM conference. Two days after returning from Fort Worth, I was back on a plane but this time, headed to Houston to present my research at the National Society of Black Physicists Conference (joint with the National Society of Hispanic Physicists).

Might I add, both of these are more example of opportunities I applied for and attended completely free. In Fort Worth, I even got to bring a guest. Just get it done!

As I entered my hotel room in Houston, I bent down to set my bags down. And for some reason, I assume because I had worn those shoes so much, the sole of my dress shoes just broke off.

Broken shoe: P.S. I was able to fix the shoe when I returned and I wore them in Japan.

Imagine this: You’ve just arrived in a huge city for a huge professional conference, and you have a huge presentation. And the only pair of professional shoes you brought are now unwearable.

A little stressful, right? Well it was for me at least. 

As I bent down, trying to see if I could somehow repair them, I got an email. I looked at my phone, and all I saw was:

“Congratulations blah blah blah blah Spring Tour 2025”

I started smiling so big I could have ripped my cheeks.

A Surreal Moment

This was it!

I was going to be taking my first trip out of the country.

Not only that, but I was going to one of the most unique places in the world, completely free, with a group of like-minded people. I hadn’t realized how badly I wanted this until I got accepted. I’m sure, subconsciously, I had put up a mental barrier just in case I didn’t get in. But in the end, it didn’t matter.

I was on my way to Japan.

Air Plane console depicting flight path from ≈Atlanta, Georgia to Tokyo, Japan.

If you’ve made it this far, I’m sure you can tell how transformative the trip was for me and I hadn't even made it to the airport yet. I could write for days about even the smallest details leading up to and during this trip. But if I were in your shoes, I’d want to see some pictures and hear about the experience firsthand.

So, that’s exactly what you’ll find below. [In chronological order to really take you through the trip]

[Departure Reception]

Before departure, we took time to pay homage to the parents and others who played a part in planning this expedition for us. The attendees of this reception were particularly special, as they were the first to hear the presentation we would be delivering overseas.

Notably, I’d like to mention Dr. Michael Turner, who was instrumental in ensuring all students were medically cleared for the trip and in offering a benediction over us before departure.

Dr. Michael Turner speeking

Malone Hemsley '25 presenting.

Spring Tour 2025 Departure Reception [featuring Atlanta IHG representative]

[Day one]

Our call time for the airport was 6:00 AM, with departure scheduled for 9:40 AM. Initially, I wondered why we needed to arrive so early, but believe me, we needed every extra minute. Traveling in a group this large, there’s always someone running late or getting held up in security. Thankfully, this wasn’t Mr. Cooper's first rodeo, so everything went smoothly.

I’ll admit, I was daunted by the 14-hour commute I was about to endure. I’m not the biggest fan of flying, mainly because of the many factors beyond my control. From baggage limits to who’s piloting the plane, everything is dictated by the airline, and all I can do is sit back and comply. Nevertheless, after 14 hours, we arrived safely and without complications. Time for Japan!

Group photo departing the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The last time I was at this airport was to pick up someone while I was doing an Uber Drive. Surreal. We were many times asked if we were a sports team with the matching jackets lol.

On the plane, I was so happy to get an aisle seat! I am reading The Coming by Anthony Black, I Will be posting a review of the book soon.

As you can see we were all given these VERY nice jackets to foster a sense of unity while traveling. More than once were we asked "Are you all a sports team?" to which we proudly responded how we were "Global ambassadors for Morehouse College." That being said, there still may be a few people who believe we are a national pickle ball team.

After arriving and getting through customs in Tokyo Japan. Notably pictured [far left holding hand up] is Mr. Douglas Cooper, the man who extensively plans this trip every year.

We were hosted by IGH Hotels & Resorts and this was first hotel we stayed at, absolutely amazing. [photo was taken at night but we did not arrive at night.

7-11 is such a big thing in Japan. I didn't try the ready meals available for purchase but, many stated they are quite good. This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.This is for spacing.

Exploring Tokyo's streets was an unforgettable experience. The city is so compact when compared to Atlanta.

Spring Tour 2025 cohort posed in front of their home for the first two days of their trip to Japan.

The remarkable Tokyo Tower. We had planned to return the next day to ride the elevator to the top, but unfortunately, we forgot.

Day one, running on only the few hours of sleep I managed to get on the plane, was mostly filled with sightseeing and eating. Though limited, the day still opened my eyes to the uniqueness of this civilization.

Throughout the trip, you might have seen me seemingly lost, staring into an abyss...but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Every second, I was in the thrall of JAPAN! The country has cultivated a culture that, while sharing similarities with other East Asian traditions, is uniquely its own.

What stood out to me the most was the immense pride Japan’s citizens take in their culture traits and country. On my first day walking through Tokyo’s streets, I could count on both hands the total pieces of litter I saw—despite the absence of public trash cans. There was no jaywalking; whether or not traffic was coming, everyone patiently waited for the walk signal to turn green before crossing. In public spaces, people refrained from speaking loudly, and if conversation was necessary, it was kept at a low volume to avoid disturbing others.

Traits like these fascinate me because they aren’t enforced by laws or strict regulations but rather by a shared cultural understanding—an unspoken agreement that (most) people willingly follow.

[Day two]

As mentioned, the students chosen to be a part of the Spring Tour are expected to serve as global ambassadors for Morehouse College and its students. In doing so, our group was tasked with delivering a presentation at each company/entity we visited during our travels. This presentation simply involved each of us taking the floor to walk the audience through the history of Morehouse, its ideals and values, and its impact. There were no PowerPoints or videos, no microphones or handouts—only the authentically, well-read, well-dressed, well-balanced, well-traveled, and well-spoken Men of Morehouse.

This year, we visited three companies: Coca-Cola, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Citibank. We also had the opportunity to meet the Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy. At each organization, we were able to network, learn, and engage with high-ranking officials, gaining insight into what it’s like to conduct business overseas or, in some cases, domestically but for an entirely different cultural market.

As a student passionate about STEM, some might assume that this experience was less relevant to me. However, on the contrary, it was incredibly impactful. There is always a connection to be made with someone, and one can never predict where life may lead.

Our first stop on day two was Coca-Cola. The relationship between Morehouse College and Coca-Cola has been long-standing. Interestingly, since the first year of the Spring Tour in 1982, Morehouse has included a visit to Coca-Cola headquarters in each respective country, each year. The rationale behind this tradition is unclear to me, but I can only assume it stems from the fact that Coca-Cola’s U.S. headquarters is just two miles from our main campus.

Technically, my first stop of the day was at the wellness center because I don’t believe 'vacation' is an excuse. What stood out to me, though, was how the people depicted on the exercise machines weren’t the traditional 'strong men' we typically see in the U.S.

Morehouse College before loading the bus headed for Coca-Cola Japan headquarters.

Morehouse with Coca-Cola Japan representatives.

Morehouse students with Coca-Cola Japan's Director of Marketing Affairs.

Shinto shrine located just outside IHG Japan headquarters.

Morehouse students giving presentation at their second stop with IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan office.

Morehouse with IHG Japan representatives outside of headquarters.

After departing the IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan headquarters, the rest of the day was free until we rejoined IHG representatives for a late-night dinner at their brand-new hotel, Hotel Indigo, located right beside Shibuya Scramble Crossing, more commonly known as Shibuya Crossing. Shibuya Crossing is often regarded as the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection, with reports of more than 3,000 people crossing at a single moment.

In the free time before dinner, we explored the streets and did a little shopping at some local stores in Shibuya, which is often compared to New York’s Times Square. I’m not one to do much shopping, but it’s never just about the destination but more about its journey.

2nd Street shopping plaza.

Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Notice the large amount of people patiently waiting for the walk symbol.

The view atop of Hotel Indigo.

Instead of using the charter bus to return to our hotel after dinner we were persuaded to use the metro. It was a very pleasant experience. I joked about how I have been in Japan for only two days and I rode the metro but I've lived in ATL for four years and never have.

I concluded my second day after returning to the hotel from the train station, I was exhausted. I didn’t expect jet lag to affect me past the first day, especially since I don’t get much sleep back in the States as it is. I was wrong. Jet lag hit me, and hit me hard—and judging by all the nodding heads I saw at dinner, I wasn’t the only one.

[Day 3]

I woke up on day three just as I had each night before (and would continue to do after), around 4:00 AM, wondering why the sun hadn’t risen yet. After a visit to the wellness center, I joined the others at breakfast for some much-needed liquid fuel, otherwise known as coffee.

Today's itinerary included a visit to Citibank, a bus tour, and finally, a trip to the U.S. Embassy. This would be our last "business day," as there were no more company meetings after today. However, what I think most were excited about was that it would also be the last time we had to endure the rush of nerves before stepping up to give our part of the presentation.

As pictured, we all arrived at breakfast suited and booted, ready to show Japan who we are.

Suited and booted at breakfast.

Citibank Japan office board room.

The hotel did offer traditional western breakfast but this time I tried a more traditional Japanese "breakfast." Pictured is rice (I think it is called, Mame Gohan), lemon pepper wings, shrimp dumplings and udon noodles. Citibank Japan office board room.Citibank Japan office board room.Citibank Japan office board room.Citibank Japan office board room.Citibank Japan office board room.Citibank Japan office board room.

Alternate view of Citibank Japan office board room.

After departing Citibank, we indulged in some traditional Japanese cuisine, sushi. During my studies of Japanese culture, I learned that in some smaller, family-owned restaurants, it is customary to remove your shoes before entering. Being only my second day in Japan, and having yet to visit a restaurant that followed this tradition, I had completely forgotten about it. You can imagine my surprise when we arrived for lunch and were asked to place our shoes in the cubbies on the wall.

But the surprises didn’t stop there. Upon entering the dining area, we were presented with seats that sat no more than a foot and a half off the floor, another Japanese custom that had slipped my mind.

Shoe cubby on the wall. You can slightly see where the wooden keys are inserted in the bottom left corner of the doors.

Instead of traditional locks, each cubby had a wooden key that looked to be handmade. The bottom end of each key featured unique slits cut into the wood, corresponding to its respective cabinet. I found it both innovative and fascinating.

Sushi lunch. Toward the right of the picture you can see the type/height of the chairs.

Alternate view of the sushi lunch.

I'll let him share his opinion.

Conversation with Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs, Mr. Aaron Snipe (on the right). Unfortunately, I can't recall the name of the gentleman on the left.

Morehouse College with representatives from the US Embassy.

Tokyo's largest bookstore. 7 stories of books. This is the floor for books in english.

Japanese McDonald's. The beef taste's the same to me but the chicken seems higher quality.

As pictured, I concluded day three with a trip to Tokyo’s largest bookstore. My extensive search for my next page-turner was sparked by my unexpected early finish of The Coming. Sadly, despite the countless shelves I browsed, I couldn’t find anything worth my yen. It felt like the bookstores had Googled “typical books Americans read” and stocked the first ten results, nothing stood out to me.

After wrapping up my book search for the day, I grabbed some McDonald’s and called it a night. In my opinion, there wasn’t a huge difference between the food served there and in the United States. One zhuzh I did notice was that they doubled the meat on some sandwiches. For example, while the Big Mac in the States comes with two patties, in Japan you can get it with four, but only after 5:00 p.m., which I found pretty peculiar.

[Day four]

I think it’s safe to say that we took full advantage of our last leisure days in Japan. Early that next morning, we packed our bags and boarded Japan Airlines flight #119 headed for Kyoto. Kyoto, to me, was more in line with what I originally imagined when I thought of Japan. It had its fair share of big-city energy, while still holding onto a strong cultural flair. Tokyo, on the other hand, I could show you a skyline photo, and it could easily be mistaken for New York, aside from the Japanese characters plastered across the buildings.

Notably pictured is our guide, Kiki. She was instrumental in helping our large group navigate all of Japan. Now, after having a guide while traveling abroad, I feel like it's a necessity. It was like having a personal translator, Google, photographer, and a local insider by my side the whole time.

Our trip was set to conclude in Kyoto, so we did our best to soak in as much as possible during our final days.

Kiki, our personal guide. Note: The doll you see above her head was her 'visual aid' so she could seen even in a large crowd.

Our accommodations were at the Six Senses Kyoto. Please don't let the exterior fool you, after staying here, I might not return to Japan until I have the funds to stay here again.

We hit the ground running, visiting anything and everything we could.

Students in front of a bonsai tree.

Ramen dinner at 'Halal Ramen Honolu'

Our first day in Kyoto was exciting. I enjoyed being exposed to different types of people within one larger culture. Since arriving in Tokyo, I had been confused by the claim that “Japan has a dying population,” because the streets there were filled with young families. But as we traveled further south and left the larger city, I began to notice how the average age of the population noticeably increased.

The day ended as many seemed to, with a meal. Typically, as soon as dinner was had, the hotel bed followed. Or perhaps that was just me.

[Day five]

Hoping it doesn’t sound too macabre, but day five was my favorite day. For multiple reasons. First, it was the day we rode the Shinkansen or better known as the Bullet Train, which is truly an engineering marvel for the Japanese. A high-speed railway system is definitely something I believe the U.S. should explore more seriously. But beyond the train ride, our destination was the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, where we paid homage to the lives lost in the nuclear bombing that brought World War II to a close.

As mentioned earlier, an extensive research report about Japan was a required deliverable for the Spring Tour, and this year’s topic focused on World War II and the nuclear bombings. So, during my preparation, I developed a keen interest in WWII and the broader implications of nuclear warfare.

Breakfast at the Six Senses

Playing chess before departure with David Ricketts '2025.

Before boarding the bullet train.

After boarding the bullet train. The ride was very comfortable even while hitting speeds upwards of 180mph.

Morehouse student near the Historical Site of Hiroshima Castle.

Hiroshima Castle.

Rollin Jackson '2025 hanging our origami cranes. It has become a tradition to hand origami cranes near the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The cranes are a representation of peace, hope, and healing.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

Hand drawn portrait of Malone Hemsley received form the mall.

Departure bullet train. Interestingly, the train features a steep, pointed nose shape because, when entering tunnels (which are common), the train would otherwise encounter a wall of air. A traditional flat-front train would be heavily rocked by this, but the sleek design helps to minimize that effect.

Kisshoin elementary School kids paintings.

Day six was heavy during our visit to the museum. While I had read and heard about the bombings in grave detail back in the States, being in those very places and reflecting on it was an entirely different experience.

We lightened the mood a bit later in the day by visiting Aeon Mall in Kyoto, a well-known shopping center. It wasn’t enormous, but it had more than enough to offer. At Aeon Mall, I purchased the hand-drawn portrait. This is something I would never have bought in the States due to the inflated cost, but in Japan, it costs only 1,000 yen, which is roughly 7 USD. I’m not sure how much it looks like me, but it’s a nice keepsake nonetheless.

Pictured is also a display of paintings by elementary school children at the mall. I had seen similar displays in the States many times, but it was a practice I hadn’t expected to find in other cultures as well.

[Day 7]

Our last full day before departure. On this day, there was no set plan for the group, we were free to do as we pleased, within bounds, of course. Many got up early to participate in a “kimono experience.” A kimono is a traditional garment, typically worn to the ankles and secured around the body with an obi. It’s often referred to as the national dress (using the verb form) of Japan. Others chose to explore more of the notable attractions throughout the city. I chose the notable attractions route.

Morehouse College students and faculty at the kimono experience.

After breakfast, I had a conversation with the manager of the garden at the Six Senses. She shared that all the herbs and vegetables used in the hotel’s dining facilities are homegrown.

Again not to be macabre, but this is a traditional grave yard in Japan and it is so interesting to me the shape of the tombstones.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Street in Kyoto Japan.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.

Arashiyama Sky Lantern path.

Kyoto city bus. Due to Japan's large population concentrated in urban areas, public transit can often be extremely crowded. This picture doesn’t quite do it justice, but during rush hour, buses like this are packed like sardines. If you find yourself near the door, brace yourself, citizens will quite literally push you in just to make room for themselves.

Aeon Mall. Interestingly in Japan Toys "R" Us is still open.

Aeon Mall. This mall had plenty of food options, so it made the most sense to come back, everyone could get exactly what they wanted to eat. In this store I purchased an excavator path for my patch jacket.

Aeon Mall. The Ikea was very small but this may have been because this was a smaller mall.

Our last day was slightly tiring as we tried to fit so many things into such a short amount of time. A piece of advice I’d share with anyone traveling to Japan, start your day early. Many places in Japan, including a surprising number of restaurants, close around 6:00 p.m. If you’re staying in tourist-heavy areas, this might not affect you as much, but in smaller towns with local shops, the streets turn into ghost towns by 6:30 p.m.

I’d also recommend being prepared for a lot of walking. Japan truly values public transit, walking, and biking. Unless you plan to Uber everywhere (which is available in Japan), you’ll quickly learn to appreciate the convenience and efficiency of these options. After returning to my hotel room that night, I checked my step counter and saw that I had clocked over 25,000 steps in just one day.

[Day 8]

Departure day: A very bittersweet moment. I was somewhat ready to go home, sleeping in any bed that’s not my own is never ideal, even if it’s pre-heated before I lie down (yes, the staff at Six Senses would literally place a warming pouch in your sheets before you returned to the room). At the same time, I wasn’t quite ready to leave. I wanted to stay longer, to experience just a little more of this incredible culture.

Nonetheless, we packed up and headed out in the morning for what would be a very long day of travel. Not only did we have a 14-hour international flight ahead of us, but before that, we needed to take a 1.5-hour flight from Kyoto back to Tokyo.

Loading the bus headed to airport.

Staff at the Six Senses Kyoto waving us good bye.

Loading our international flight. I had never gone down and escalator to board a flight before, interesting.

Loading on to our Japanese domestic flight.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport customs line.

And just like that, it was all over. Thankfully, we returned on Saturday night, so we had a bit of recovery time before class on Monday. The recovery time was much appreciated, but my 8:00 am Machine Learning class had to learn without me.

In talking about my trip with a class mentor, I was asked, “What was your favorite part?” I stood there, mentally sweeping through memories of the trip, trying to figure it out. What was my favorite part?! I know I previously mentioned that day five was my favorite day, but that was more in the sense of the day that left the deepest impression, it blended history, technology, and reflection all into one experience. As for this question, I was thinking more along the lines of: What was it that I truly took away from this trip?

This was not only my first time out of the country, but also the first time anyone in my immediate family had traveled abroad. I was truly blessed with this opportunity. I always knew that one day, I’d travel the world, no matter what. If I had to save every penny I found on the ground, I was determined to see the other side of this Earth. But never did I think it would be this soon or this impactful.

So, I answered my mentor the same way I’ll answer you: “I don’t know exactly yet, but as soon as I can put words to it, I’ll let you know.”

I know right…thirty minutes talking about my trip, and I still don’t know what I got most out of it? Sadly, yes. The trip was incredible. I had the time of my life meeting business professionals and local civilians, exploring some of the world’s most iconic sites, and doing it all with a group of young men who look like me and dream big like me.

Even after returning, I feel different, smarter (I guess), and maybe even more aware. While writing this, I did some reading to see if maybe I wasn’t alone in this feeling. Turns out I’m not. It’s called reverse culture shock, a kind of disorientation that happens when you return home after being immersed in a new culture. You gain new perspectives, pick up different habits, and come back seeing your world a bit differently. What I saw was that travel can expose you to new ways of thinking, beliefs, ideas, and interactions that can all play an influential part in your own values.

I see that firsthand since, coming back, I find myself thinking more carefully about how I use resources and how we all play a role in preserving what we have. Japan, as an island nation with limited resources, has a collective mindfulness toward conservation that was inspiring. And yet, despite those limitations, they live with a quality of life comparable to ours in the States, where we set records in waste each year. Another example would be my deeper respect for expressing gratitude towards others. In Japanese culture, expressing gratitude is deeply ingrained, with bowing and formal language like 'Arigato gozaimasu' (thank you very much) being common ways to show appreciation.

So no, I still can’t quite put my finger on what I’m feeling, it might be reverse culture shock, or maybe it’s something deeper. But what I do know is how incredibly thankful I am to have been chosen for the Morehouse College Spring Tour 2025. Arigato gozaimasu to Winston for encouraging me to apply. Arigato gozaimasu to Dr. John Howard and Dr. Emmanuel Karikari for writing my letters of recommendation. Arigato gozaimasu to my mother and grandmother for reassuring me that I was a strong applicant. Arigato gozaimasu to Morehouse College for fostering programs like these. Arigato gozaimasu to the students who traveled alongside me for making it an unforgettable experience. And most of all, Arigato gozaimasu to Mr. Cooper Douglas for the countless hours of dedication and care he puts into curating this opportunity for students like me.

Best to you,

Malone Hemsley

*cover image was created using generative AI.