Sayonara, for now...

Today was a day filled with joy, sadness, pride, hope, and gratitude. Students had one final language class to help propel them forward as much as possible in our short two weeks together. Then, we gathered for our graduation ceremony. Students and staff alike expressed their thanks. Thanks for having this time together. Thanks for working hard for each other's sake. Thanks for being great people and treating each other so well. Our theme this year has been 唯一無二 (yuiitsu muni) - the one and only. For us, in finding that we are all so unique, we saw that we are all very much the same. Suddenly we found ourselves surrounded by friends with the same interests and goals. And so it's hard to leave, knowing that we will be scattered all across the Commonwealth. But now, we are different. We know that many people share our love for Japan, and we've seen how powerful that love can be in bringing people together. We can be the ones to bring that experience home and share it with those around us. So it is our turn to be the one and only - to take the next step with these gifts we've been given, and create our own new path forward. We go forward empowered with knowledge and bonds that will always be with us. And just as all paths lead to Tokyo, our paths can always be traced back to this one moment together. Our Academy.

Check back for some great pictures from our final day!