An affectionate and cordial greeting to the entire SSC community!

My name is Carlos Andrés García Taborda, Colombian student, member of the Sakura Science Club (SSC). I would like to start by saying that I had the valuable opportunity to be part of the team and to visit Japan in May 2023. For me, this experience meant a lot, not only did being outside my country feel challenging, but, placing myself in one, that in my opinion, has everything to admire,─its streets, its buildings, its people, its food, and its customs. I was fascinated by everything! Japan has a special place in my heart. However, getting to know the country of the rising sun as part of Sakura Science doubled the satisfaction. Getting to know research centers, colleges and universities accompanied by friends from my nation and six other countries was indescribable.

SSP impacted me in numerous ways, as I already mentioned. However, the most important was in my life project. Thanks to this experience, I was able to discover the kind of professional I want to be. For me, the way in which the Government of Japan related to the Government of my country and the other invited countries made me aware of the importance of international and intergovernmental relations, and their enormous usefulness in the process of mutual growth of the nations. You can imagine, then, what my goals are. I aspire to study Political Science in the capital of my country, specialize in government and/or international relations, I dream of being an ambassador of my country abroad. Perhaps, in the future, I will serve as an ambassador of Colombia in Japan, and will have the opportunity to receive the SSP commission of my country in Tokyo.

I will move to the city of Bogotá and begin my university career next year, 2024. I am deeply grateful to SSP and JST for opening the doors for me and for helping the young leader who lives within me to find direction. I remember you all, and I hope to meet you again soon.

¡Saludos y bendiciones desde Colombia! (Greetings and blessings from Colombia!)