Mutsumi: Even now, as a university student, I have been involved in organizing events like cultural festivals since my junior high school days. This has sparked my interest in event management, and I wanted to gain experience in organizing larger-scale events. Additionally, I felt that it was a valuable opportunity to interact not only with students from other universities but also with adults and a wider range of people beyond our campus community, so I decided to apply.

Nodoka: I learned about volunteering for the summit, which was something I had only seen on television, through an announcement from the university. I had some doubts about whether I could handle it, but after going through the training and gaining confidence in my abilities, I made up my mind to give it a try. I've always felt that hospitality is a unique and wonderful aspect of Japanese culture. I wanted to contribute to creating a hospitable experience that would make the guests want to come back to Japan, so I decided to apply.

Mutsumi: Before the event, I was involved in promoting the summit, such as distributing flyers to announce the event and participating in a parade during a Carp baseball game. During the summit, I served as a guide at Hiroshima Station, Hiroshima Airport, and the International Media Center. If I noticed someone in need of assistance, I would proactively approach them. However, it took some courage to initiate conversations, especially at first as I was not confident in my English abilities and was nervous. I overcame this fear by talking to and seeking advice from fellow volunteers. By the way, the most frequently asked question was 'Where is the best okonomiyaki restaurant?'

Nodoka: I was responsible for tasks like managing the rental of 'Peacecle' (Peace Cycle) shared bicycles and serving as a guide at the International Media Center. At the International Media Center, I distributed wet tissues to commemorate the summit, but I felt that simply handing them out wasn't enough for hospitality. So, I engaged in conversation and found ways to enhance the experience. I learned that true hospitality goes beyond just meeting a basic standard and involves sincerely engaging with the people in front of you, rather than setting limits based on what is considered 'good enough' for hospitality.

Nodoka: When asked about the location of a coin locker, I found out that the person was from Singapore, a place I had also visited, which sparked an animated conversation. Despite my limited English skills, the other person understood, and we both had the desire to communicate. By the end, we exchanged names, and I was delighted that we had such an enjoyable conversation. It made me realize that even if you're not fluent in English, people can connect through their feelings. While English may be the global lingua franca, through this experience, I felt that the true universal language is perhaps a smile.

Mutsumi: I had the opportunity to participate in the Partners Program hosted by Prime Minister Kishida's wife, where we served lunch to the spouses of various world leaders. We received training from professionals and underwent weekly training sessions for a month leading up to the event. They taught us everything from how to set the table to how to express gratitude, and it was an incredibly valuable experience. Furthermore, I had the chance to connect with 12 people from different schools and grade levels, which was really nice. At the end, we got to shake hands with and take photos with the spouses of various world leaders, and it was a truly delightful experience.

Nodoka: I had the opportunity to interact with people from countries I had never met before and experience unfamiliar environments. It made me realize that the world is still vast, and there is so much I don't know. Therefore, I want to engage with a diverse range of people, participate in international exchanges, and take on various challenges in the future.

Mutsumi: Through this experience, I've started to think of global issues as something that concerns me personally. I now find myself naturally paying more attention to the news. Also, even though I'm a student, I felt a strong sense of responsibility as I was seen by the visitors as an official representative. In the future, I want to continue to cultivate a sense of responsibility and become someone who can independently assess situations and take proactive action.