Q&A with TOMODACHI Program Participants and TOMODACHI Alumni: Yukina Matsuda
In this interview, we spoke with Yukina Matsuda, a third-year student majoring in Public and Civic Studies in the Department of Social Studies at Waseda University’s Faculty of Education. Yukina participated in the 2019 TOMODACHI Summer SoftBank Leadership Program and the TOMODACHI Amway Japan Foundation Tohoku Future Leader Program 2024 post-training support.During her first year of high school, as part of her post-program action from the TOMODACHI SoftBank Program, she implemented a project called “Braille Blocks × Art.” This initiative aimed to deepen understanding of visual impairments and contribute to the local community through an art project using Braille blocks.Additionally, at Waseda University, she is majoring in sociology and participates in the “Rikuzentakata Project” under the Waseda Volunteer Center’s “Waseda Volunteer Project.”
Q1:What inspired you to participate in the TOMODACHI Summer 2019 SoftBank Leadership Program?
When I was in my third year of middle school, I had already decided, “I’m definitely going to participate in this program!” So I applied as soon as I entered high school. The initial motivation came from my involvement with a student organization in my hometown of Rikuzentakata City, which focused on community service with the goal of “doing something we can do ourselves.” Since then, I had a strong desire to “do something in my town” and to “bring my ideas to life.” When I learned about the TOMODACHI SoftBank Leadership Program, I was extremely attracted not just to the idea of going abroad but also to the opportunities for leadership and creating action plans, which led me to join without hesitation.
Q2:What three words best describe your experience in this program? Why did you choose them?
Rely on and trust others:
I used to believe that doing everything myself was the right approach, but through the TOMODACHI Program, I realized that working together with others results in better outcomes. Being surrounded by amazing people made me see the value in trusting others and delegating tasks, such as asking someone who is good at speaking to handle presentations or having someone skilled at drawing take charge of visuals. It was a team environment that taught me the importance of relying on others.
This is what it means to have allies:
Out of the 100 participants, I only knew a few people initially, yet we had to become a team in a short amount of time. While not everyone was aligned in the same direction, there was a mutual understanding beneath the surface. I realized that the TOMODACHI connection is not about intense but short-lived relationships but more about long-lasting connections. We support each other, whether it’s cheering on each other’s endeavors or reacting positively to posts on Instagram or Facebook. This experience made me rethink the meaning of fellowship.
Growth and shifting perspectives:
I feel I’ve grown a lot since participating in the program, although it’s difficult to express it in concrete terms. I definitely felt a significant shift in something within myself. Academically, studying the “Y-Plan”(Youth, Plan, Action, Now!), which is a project-based civic learning experience to tackle real-world problems in their communities, as part of the TOMODACHI Program was a major influence, teaching me how to solve problems and turn my ideas into tangible plans. This has been invaluable to me, helping me analyze situations and start projects logically—something I likely wouldn’t have experienced without this Program. Learning this as a first-year high school student was an incredible experience.
Q3:Did the TOMODACHI program enhance your logical thinking skills, or did it help you develop a completely new way of thinking?
100% the latter! I used to be more of an intuitive person, going with “this seems good, so let’s do it” or “this looks interesting, let’s try it.” While that approach still has its place, I’ve learned that when you actually want to do something because it’s interesting, you need to ensure others understand and agree. You might think something is fascinating, but others might not get it or see it as unnecessary. Now, I can logically think through the steps and articulate why something will lead to certain outcomes.
Q4:Did you experience any culture shock in the U.S.?
I definitely did, especially in areas like art and welfare. It seemed like in California, more people with disabilities, such as those in wheelchairs, were “moving around independently” compared to Japan. At my university in Japan, students in wheelchairs always have support, but in the U.S., it felt more like “it’s natural to do things on your own.” This was the norm even at Berkeley. Observing this, I realized that it’s not about being part of the majority or minority or having a disability or not—it’s about doing what you can on your own and asking for help when you need it. This realization became a hint for my action plan.
Q5 :What is your most memorable experience from the program?
The farewell party our team held after the final day’s event was my most memorable experience. During our time there, two university student mentors were assigned to each team. For the farewell party, all the high school participants practiced a song that one of our mentors liked and surprised them with a performance. This memory is incredibly special to me as it represents the summer, America, and our team. The mentors weren’t much older than us, so they felt like older siblings. Being able to give them a gift and sing a song for them at the end is a cherished memory.
Q6:On the other hand, what was the most challenging part of the program?
The hardest part was preparing our team’s presentation in the first half of the program, especially because we had to do everything in English. Since the program wasn’t designed to teach English but rather leadership, most participants weren’t fluent in English. We had to write scripts, practice them, and translate everything ourselves multiple times. It made me realize how difficult communication can be when it’s not in your native language. As a result, we often worked late into the night to prepare, which was quite challenging.
—So, preparing presentations and communicating in English was the biggest challenge?
Yes, along with the fact that it was only around the first week, so the team wasn’t very close yet, and there was a slightly awkward atmosphere. Working in that environment, we often wondered how we would manage or who would take the lead, which added to the difficulty. However, by the second or third week, we had more time to chat during travel, which helped us bond more.
Q7:What did you learn the most from this program?
I learned a lot from the Program, and I also discovered the joy of working with a team and building camaraderie.
Q8:Has your experience in this program influenced your areas of interest or career path? If so, how has it affected your current life and thinking?
It has had a significant impact. Without participating in the TOMODACHI Program, I might not have developed an interest in city planning. My research activities in my second and third years of high school also led me to explore welfare and art, which in turn sparked my interest in Nordic countries like Finland and Sweden, which emphasize welfare. Experiencing the TOMODACHI Program broadened my global perspective and ambitions. As for my current life and thinking, I hope to someday do something in my hometown of Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture through city planning.
— You truly embody the purpose of TOMODACHI! You mentioned wanting to return to your hometown to contribute to society. Do you plan to work in Tokyo first for a few years before returning, or would you like to go back home immediately?
I have mixed feelings—I want to return to Iwate, but I also want to continue learning in Tokyo for a bit longer. At the moment, I plan to start my career in Tokyo. I feel that going back home right after just four years of university wouldn’t be very meaningful. I believe I can contribute more effectively if I return after gaining solid skills and experience. So, while pursuing what I want to do, I plan to stay in Tokyo a bit longer to keep learning.
Q9:What are your future goals (life goals)?
I haven’t fully decided yet, but I know I want to eventually return to my hometown and do something for Rikuzentakata City. A teacher in elementary school once told me, “Pass on the favor,” which stuck with me. The idea is that while I can’t repay all the people who helped during the Great East Japan Earthquake, I can pay it forward to others in need. When I think about who I want to pass the favor on to, the answer is the people, shops, and spaces in my hometown. So, I believe I will definitely return someday.
Q10: What does TOMODACHI mean to you?
It’s my “origin.” TOMODACHI has greatly influenced me, and it’s also influenced my friends who participated in the same program. It’s no exaggeration to say that I am who I am today because of my participation in the TOMODACHI Program.
Q11: What do you find unique or interesting about the TOMODACHI community?
The way we support each other and how we feel connected even when we’re not in constant contact! When I see my TOMODACHI peers working hard, it motivates me to do the same. We may not be together all the time, but we continue to deeply influence each other, which I think is unique.
Q12:Do you have any advice or something to share with the TOMODACHI community?
You’re sure to have amazing encounters, so I encourage you to join without hesitation!
This interview was conducted by Mizuki Sakai on July 25th, 2024. Mizuki is currently a TOMODACHI Alumni Program Intern and is an Alumni of the TOMODACHI – U.S. Embassy Go For Gold Sports Leadership Program 2024-25
