SL Scholarship Testimonials

Year　 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025

The Growth That Awaits When You Don’t Give Up

OMORI, Rika

Silliman University, Philippines

I joined the International Service-Learning Program and traveled to the Philippines. Growing up, I always felt a strong desire to engage in activities that support children. So when I learned about service-learning, I thought, “If there’s something I can do, I want to take part.” However, financial constraints made me think I would have to give up.

I was raised in a single-parent household as the middle child of three siblings. My mother, who has always supported our family, suffers from a serious illness, so financial insecurity was a constant reality. In the midst of this, I learned about the SL Scholarship, and thanks to it, I was able to go to the Philippines. This opportunity was made possible by the scholarship.

During my time in the Philippines, I interacted and spoke with many children. Through these experiences, I learned that even when people come from different cultures, languages, and backgrounds, sharing time together and caring for one another can create a genuine connection. I am currently working toward obtaining a teaching license. In the future, when I work with children, I want to keep this lesson close to my heart and become someone who can cry, laugh, and learn alongside them.
Growing up in a rural single-parent household sparked my interest in the link between poverty and education and led me to study development research.

After entering ICU, I received scholarships that helped cover tuition and living expenses. Still, traveling to South Africa for service-learning—where costs are relatively high—seemed daunting. Thanks to this scholarship program, I was able to visit South Africa, a country I was particularly interested in.

In South Africa, I engaged in various activities, including learning about colonial history, distributing food to impoverished areas, spending time in elementary schools, and participating in environmental education focused on South Africa’s unique biodiversity. These experiences exposed me to a wide range of social issues, including those beyond poverty and education. The new questions I gained about how we understand “development” have become an important perspective as I explore my studies and future career path after returning home.

Learning, Joy, and Growth Beyond Imagination

SUZUKI, Otoha

Silliman University, Philippines

　I was given the opportunity to participate in an international service-learning program in the Philippines. As someone interested in poverty issues but unsure how to deepen my understanding, the three weeks I spent on-site offered invaluable insights.

Through living in two different facilities and communities, engaging in cultural exchange, and communicating with local people, I gained realizations that could never be obtained through classroom learning alone. These experiences gave me a broader perspective—not only on poverty but on many interconnected social issues.

What made this experience even richer were the warm connections I built with so many people: fellow ICU students, students from Silliman University, staff members, teachers, and the people in the communities we visited.

I had been interested in service-learning even before entering ICU, and this experience brought far more learning, joy, and personal growth than I had imagined. It was the scholarship that made this precious opportunity possible. I am deeply grateful for the support I received and hope to carry this experience forward into my future learning and growth.

Building Deep Trust Through Dialogue

OKAMOTO, Kanon

Lady Doak College, India

This summer, I participated in the India Service-Learning program. From the time I entered university, I had been interested in international service-learning and wanted to learn, through hands-on activities, what education looks like in so-called developing countries. In particular, I was eager to understand how female students pursue their studies while facing gender inequality. That is why I was strongly drawn to Lady Doak College, a women’s university in India, and chose it as my destination.

During my stay, I deepened my understanding of India’s social issues, including religion, education, and gender disparities. Through service activities at an elementary school, I was able to see and learn firsthand about the realities of education, which was an invaluable experience for my future. Over the course of a month, I worked alongside local students and built deep trust through dialogue—connections that have continued even after returning home.

In my remaining university years, I plan to focus on education studies and, in the future, contribute to solving social issues such as educational inequality and the link between poverty and education.

After losing my father to illness, I was raised in a single-parent household. Thanks to the SL Scholarship, I was able to fully dedicate myself to this service-learning experience without financial anxiety. I am truly grateful for this irreplaceable opportunity for growth. Moving forward, I will continue to build on what I learned through service-learning and strive to deepen my knowledge and efforts.

I Almost Gave Up Once

BABA, NAOYUKI

University of Cape Town, South Africa

My name is Naoyuki Baba (ID28), and I traveled to South Africa as part of the 2025 International Service-Learning Program.

I have long been deeply interested in educational development in developing countries. I was convinced that participating in activities in South Africa would provide unique knowledge and experiences to deepen that interest, so I strongly hoped to join this program. However, among the four destinations offered, South Africa was the most expensive, and due to my family’s financial situation, I almost gave up. Then I learned about this scholarship. Receiving this support gave me renewed hope and a firm determination to see the program through.

In South Africa, I studied “Education for Sustainable Development (ESD),” including environmental and gender education, as well as the enduring impact of apartheid and slavery. At the end of the program, I worked in local elementary and high schools, witnessing firsthand the challenges modern educational institutions face. What struck me most was how students were unable to receive adequate education due to issues such as a lack of funding, teacher shortages, and insufficient preparation and training among educators. At the same time, I saw how local communities play a vital role in supplementing these gaps—a reality that left a deep impression on me.

Through this service-learning experience, I believe I have taken a significant step toward my goal of contributing to educational development in developing countries. This invaluable opportunity would not have been possible without the scholarship support. Moving forward, I hope to make the most of this experience and give back to both my university and the wider community. In the coming years, I aim to integrate the practical knowledge and insights gained through this program with academic learning at university, thereby building the skills necessary to make a meaningful impact on society.

The Immense Learning I Gained

KASAI, Rin

University of Cape Town, South Africa

Hello, my name is Rin Kasai (ID28).

This year, I had the opportunity to participate in service-learning activities in South Africa. I have a strong interest in environmental education, so the South Africa program—focused on ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) and GCE (Global Citizenship Education)—was very appealing to me. Last year, through a community service-learning experience, I realized just how much service-learning can offer in terms of learning, which made me determined to join the international program this year. However, South Africa was one of the most expensive destinations in terms of travel and program costs, and I hesitated to apply.

It was thanks to the scholarship that I was able to apply and, fortunately, receive financial support, which greatly reduced my worries and allowed me to participate fully.

Through this experience in South Africa, I was able to think more deeply about environmental education and educational activities both inside and outside of schools. Moreover, the various experiences I had gave me the chance to reflect on my future learning and career. I am truly grateful to everyone who supported me and to the scholarship that made this opportunity possible. Thank you very much.

The Power Created by Human Connections

KATO, Rio

University of Cape Town, South Africa

My name is Rio Kato (ID28)!

For me, the one-month service-learning experience in Cape Town, South Africa, was not only a highlight of my university life but an unforgettable experience for a lifetime. Every day, I met people I could never have encountered in Japan—interacting with children at local schools, joining activities organized by community groups, and immersing myself in new values and cultures.

There was a time when I considered giving up due to the difficulty of covering travel expenses, which was exacerbated by family circumstances. However, thanks to the SL Scholarship, I was able to take on this challenge. Whenever I recall the smiles of the children I met and the way local communities support each other, I feel truly grateful that I was able to participate.

Through this program, I realized the importance of intercultural understanding and the incredible power that human connections can create. I hope to build on this experience and continue engaging in activities that promote international exchange and multicultural understanding.

Making My Challenge Possible

TABUCHI, Kazutaka

University of Cape Town, South Africa

I have always been deeply interested in South Africa’s history of apartheid, its political landscape—so different from Japan—and the social realities shaped by that history.

When I first learned about South Africa’s past, I realized how much its journey overlaps with the history of gospel music, which I have long engaged with. That discovery ignited a strong desire in me: “I must see present-day South Africa with my own eyes.” Yet, due to family circumstances, covering the program costs seemed impossible, and I was prepared to give up. What pushed me forward and made this challenge possible was the SL Scholarship.

During the four weeks of on-site activities, I visited diverse communities and participated in classes and cultural exchanges at elementary and high schools, experiencing firsthand the complexity of society and the weight of history. One moment that stands out vividly was walking through a botanical garden with local elementary students, teaching each other our languages. For the first time, I felt the pure joy of connecting across cultures. I was also fortunate to share my lifelong passion for the violin, performing locally and realizing how music can serve as a bridge between cultures.

The resilience of the people I met and their determination to confront the legacy of apartheid have deeply influenced me—even shaping the way I direct performances in the gospel circle I am involved in back in Japan. Building on this experience, I hope to engage in activities that convey history from multiple perspectives. I am profoundly grateful for the support that made this invaluable opportunity possible.