The 20th country I visited was France in 2022. The first time I went abroad was to New Zealand when I was a high school student. Back then, I didn’t appreciate my high school, but in retrospect, I realize that it provided me with numerous opportunities to start various endeavors. Perhaps there were triggers along the way that I failed to notice at the time.

Looking back, I can genuinely say that my high school was a good one. When I return to Japan, I should make a point to visit the school I used to attend. It wasn’t my first choice of schools, as I didn’t pass the entrance exam for my preferred institution. However, I now believe that not getting into my first-choice school was actually a blessing in disguise. It led me to encounter many inspiring experiences and make friends there.