If I had to describe the week in one word, it would be this.
The night I arrived at the Champaign airport after a long flight, I had no time to imagine the programs I would experience in the week that immediately followed.

It had been a week since I had left my daily work and life and jumped into an environment that had been completely renewed in terms of living environment, food, study program, and fellow associates. Every day has been very busy and fast-paced, and life has been very fulfilling, as if I were back in school.

This is due, of course, to the support of the staff, including Clara, Peggy, Emily, and Vuyo, who have planned and implemented the program, and to the ambassadors, such as Barbara and Amani. Once again, I express my tremendous gratitude to them.

In addition, we have been able to collaborate with associates from around the world who have participated in this program as if they have already realized the theme of this year’s program, “Libraries Unbound: Open, Inclusive and Engaged” based on the keyword “libraries”. I look forward to further deepening our relationship.

I will be posting a summary of this week’s various activities on my personal page.

Takashi Shimada (2025 Associate from Japan)