Report

Global Immersion Camp (GIC) 2024 Completion Report

A Journey of Growth, Understanding, and Global Awareness

The Global Immersion Camp (GIC) 2024 marked a significant milestone as it returned onsite for the first time in five years, bringing together 119 participants and 26 camp leaders and staff from 20 different countries. This year’s camp, which was held in a post-COVID environment, was designed to fulfill three key objectives:

1. Gaining Confidence Through Successful Communication:
The GIC provided an environment where participants could experience the joy and satisfaction of communicating successfully in English, using it as a tool to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds. The camp’s activities were structured to encourage the use of English in meaningful and engaging ways, helping participants build confidence in their language abilities.
2. Broadening World Views Through Communal Living:
Living together in a communal setting allowed participants to experience firsthand the value of mutual understanding. By sharing daily routines, activities, and challenges with others from different cultures, they developed a broader perspective on the world and an appreciation for diversity. This experience fostered the importance of empathy and collaboration in a global community.
3. Embracing the Spirit of Challenge:
The camp emphasized the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and striving for higher goals. Participants were encouraged to take on unfamiliar challenges, whether through physical activities, teamwork, or intellectual pursuits. This spirit of challenge is something we hope they will carry with them as they continue to grow and contribute to society.

Highlights of GIC 2024

Return of Alumni (OBOG)

Former participants returned to the camp as staff members, bringing their valuable experience and enthusiasm to the current campers. This year four of them joined: Mai (EIC 2013 and 2014), Taisei (EIC 2012 and 2013), Daigo (EIC 2014) and Kazuki (EIC 2014). Their involvement added a sense of continuity and community, showing the long-term impact of the GIC. This provided a new learning experience for them and an inspiration for current campers.

Learning About Water Sources with JICA Shiga Desk

The camp featured a special session with Mr. Morikawa from JICA Shiga Desk, where participants learned about the importance of water sources, especially lakes, and the actions we can take in our daily lives to protect them. As the camp was held right next to Biwa Lake, we hope the participants could learn more about their surroundings, and more globally, about some related issues around the world. We encouraged them to learn that Global Warming issues are not only some other countries’ issues, and that the actions we take in our daily lives are also linked! This session culminated in the creation of posters to raise awareness about water issues in Nicaragua, linking global awareness to local action.

Our Posters Have Reached Nicaragua!

Inspiring Presentation by Gitanjali Rao

Gitanjali Rao, a young inventor and former Kumon student from America, delivered an inspiring presentation that motivated the children to set high goals for themselves. She provided the children with hints on how they can have new ideas and make them real! Her journey from Kumon student to a successful individual in her own right served as a powerful example of what can be achieved at a young age with determination and hard work.

Traveling Around the World

As every year, the participants got a chance to ‘travel’ to different countries, while staying on the camp site. This year, Camp Leaders prepared activities about 5 different countries, from 3 different continents! The children could get a souvenir from each of these 5 countries.

Colombia

Mangoes are free! You can grab it from the trees! One watermelon is only 10 JPY! Many participants were surprised, as fruits are very expensive in Japan.

Indonesia

Do you know “Batik”? It’s a pattern you can find on Indonesian traditional clothes.
The children could try on traditional clothes and accessories.

Sri Lanka

One surprising thing was that some people in Sri Lanka have an elephant as a pet! The children also learned about the demon dance, and made their very own mask.

Myanmar

In Myanmar, they use a traditional sunscreen! As is it yellow, you can make shapes and draw on yourself.
The children could try it on themselves, and smell the nice perfume it has.

Sierra Leone

Did you know? In Sierra Leone there is a diamond mountain!
All participants could make their own keychain with the Sierra Leone flag on it.

Participants left the camp with enhanced confidence in their English communication skills, a deeper understanding of global issues, and a renewed sense of purpose. They set new goals for themselves, inspired by the challenges they faced and the knowledge they gained during the camp. We are confident that their experiences at GIC 2024 have nurtured individuals who will go on to contribute meaningfully to the global community.

The success of the Global Immersion Camp 2024 underscores the importance of such programs in fostering the next generation of global citizens. We look forward to seeing the continued growth and achievements of our participants as they take on the challenges of the future.