The 10 days I spent in Estonia provided me with an opportunity to learn about new ways of thinking and culture, as well as a chance to reflect on myself. I feel that I was able to learn a good deal from my own values and standards, and that I was able to deepen my thoughts by learning what other people felt during the reflection time, as well as to look at my own thoughts objectively. I wonder how it would be in Japan? How can we solve this problem? I also came up with many unanswered questions.
I took more than 1,000 photographs during these 10 days. The tour was so intense that I can still vividly recall the memories when I look at the photos. During the school visits, I was able to talk with the students and learn what they were thinking and what they were interested in about me and Japan. Another thing that impressed me about Estonia was the large number of women working there. Most of the people who guided me around the schools and museums I visited were women, which is a sight I am not used to seeing in Japan. Another thing that left an impression on me during my time in Estonia was the difference in the natural environment compared to Japan. One of them is the sun. It was a strange sensation to not be able to see the sun rise and set even when it was clear, and there were very few days when the sun was visible. The dryness of the air also left an impression on me. The humidity was so low that I felt damp when I returned to Japan. There were many things I learned that could not be conveyed in words or images.
Perhaps it was because of the Independence Day, but in Estonia, Estonian and Ukrainian flags were often seen in the streets. I also felt a strong connection between Ukraine and Estonia. To be honest, until now I felt that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was somewhat unrealistic and a story from a distant world, but through this tour I was able to experience firsthand that there are people who are suffering and that there are people who are trying to save them from that suffering. I would like to think about what I can do to help.
There were many discoveries that I was able to make by actually visiting the sites, and I was able to spend a meaningful 10 days there. I will not forget what I learned this time and the challenges I faced, and I would like to make the most of them in my future studies. Estonia in winter with its snowy landscape was wonderful, but I would like to visit Estonia in summer someday.
photo: Flags of Estonia and Ukraine