Big step to my dream

I am so honored to be selected as one of UTS delegates to attend the 12th University Scholars Leadership Symposium at United Nations Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. I cannot express my feelings enough, how grateful I am I got this opportunity, how UTS BUILD supported me.

When I was 13 years old, I visited Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as a school trip and it changed my life. I started to have a dream – I want to work as a teacher in developing countrired.

When I was 17 years old, I visited Cambodia for the first time as a volunteer. I taught Japanese sign language and song to Cambodian kids at school. I felt my dream came true, and it made me feel I want to do this kind of stuff more. Since then, I traveled to India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Indonesia to meet kids. Through these activities, I always felt I want to change the education system to give kids more opportunities, even if they are not from rich families. I am Deaf since I was born, I faced the discrimination issues, but if I have the ability to study, if I use English fluently, if I have the awesome skills like design (my major, yes actually I am not in education degree), people will admit me as a person, even as an awesome person. I have experience that through my life, SO I WANT KIDS TO FEEL THE SAME TOO. I don’t want kids to give up on their futures due to their current environment. My feelings for that is getting stronger every time I meet and teach kids.

Through this UN symposium, I got many hints to take action and make the positive changes from awesome guest speakers. I will start from building the trust between schools staff, teachers, and kids, and visit the school as much as possible. And I will BE THE CHANGE in the education of developing countries.

Thank you for much for giving me so much spirit and encouragement. I am thankful for the place I am here now. I will promise you now, I will change the world as a young global leader.

Yuka Maruyama
Master of Interaction Design
BUILD – University Scholars Leadership Symposium (Thailand)
BUILD Global Ambassador Grant recipient