For us, this event was the very first and last GP activity that we had to build up from scratch. If we had started preparing earlier, if we had kept closer contact within the team, or if we knew better when and how to ask for support from the GP teachers and staff members, perhaps we wouldn't have had to go through such a tough process, but to look at it in a bright way, we now know how important those skills are when it comes to working in a group. We were perfectly aware that the event was to be held in early December, but it was already in the middle of November when we seriously started thinking about the contents. We looked back on the sessions with the Dickinson students and came up with the word independence since they seemed far more mature than us in both ways, financially and mentally. We liked the idea of having a talk show style so we decided to invite students and professors as a panel for a free conversation about comparing American and Japanese college life. However, some team members were not comfortable with giving spontaneous remarks in English so initially we agreed to make a script. But we soon discovered that there wasn't enough time to memorize the lines and the words didn't sound like they were coming from each member's heart. Eventually, we made a revised script with only brief notes about what to talk about at what timing. At the actual event, other GP members, who were not in the Dickinson project, and the invited panelists actively gave their opinions and shared their experiences related to the topic and we cannot thank them enough for helping us get through such a nerve-racking day. But we must also appreciate the unceasing support by the GP teachers and staff members. No matter how much trouble we caused them, they always tried to find the right solution to get us back on track. In GP, we do not only learn how to avoid mistakes, but also how to make up for the ones you have already made.

by Rina M.