Principal’s Reflection in Boston 2025
Principal’s Reflection in Boston – Written on the Final Night
It is late in the evening, on the final night of our program here in Boston. I am sitting quietly in my room at the hostel, reflecting on the remarkable journey that 22 students of Kaichi High School and I have experienced together. In several hours, we will leave HI Boston for Japan, but my thoughts are filled with the many lessons, discoveries, and transformations that I have witnessed over these past days.
The program emphasized initiative, active participation, and new approaches to thinking, such as Visual Thinking Strategies and Design Thinking. Students also prepared and delivered presentations under the theme “What kind of leader do you want to be?” with the guiding question, “How will you adapt/use what you learned here to be that kind of leader when you go back to Japan?” Watching them wrestle with these questions gave me confidence that each one of them has already begun the journey toward true leadership. They were deeply inspired by Ms. Erin, our outstanding local instructor, by Ms. Miki, whose warm support left a lasting impression, and by Valerie, Hana and Audrey, the university student leaders who guided each activity group with dedication.
Many participants, who had once been hesitant to express themselves, discovered new confidence here. They came to realize that it is all right to speak up, that they can reveal their true selves without excessive worry about others, and that they may aspire to study abroad or pursue their dreams with greater courage. To hear students say, “I want to find my own path” or “I now feel ready to chase my dream” has been one of the most rewarding outcomes of this journey.
Every night, including this one, we gathered in the dining room for reflection. I reminded the students of the four essential attitudes we value in our Independent Learning Programs at Kaichi: Show your respect, Express what you think and feel, Learn from mistakes, and Leave no one behind. Here in Boston, I saw these values come alive in their actions and words. It is my deepest hope that they will carry this spirit with them, not only back to Kaichi but throughout their lives.
As I write these lines in the quiet of this hostel room, I feel both gratitude and anticipation. Gratitude for the students who challenged themselves and grew in such meaningful ways, and anticipation for the futures they will create. This program has reaffirmed my conviction that education must open doors to both the world and the self. The seeds planted in Boston will surely grow into lives marked by courage, responsibility, and hope.
Masaki Takamatsu, Principal of Kaichi High School
