Ami Ito

I value action and determination, and I actively participate in volunteer activities outside of school. During my high school years, I had the privilege of doing medical volunteer work in Tanzania and Ghana twice. However, upon my return, I was deeply shocked by the current state of affairs in Africa.

Since my trip to Tanzania, I have been a dedicated member of a government-recognized student organization that supports street children and medical facilities in the country. Additionally, I actively participate in local support activities through crowdfunding.

I applied for the Mirai kenkyuu souzou Scholarship, recognizing its potential to support my endeavors beyond my involvement with the student organization. To my delight, I was selected as an exception to the age limit. This scholarship will fund my activities and monthly donations to the support organization, helping me achieve my goal of traveling to a developing country in Africa next summer.

My aspiration is to contribute to solving medical problems in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in regions with severe health issues. I aim to protect local communities’ health and provide a safe environment for many through challenging support activities.

When I was a sophomore in high school, I was fortunate enough to be selected for the “Tobitate! Ryugaku Japan”. This experience was a pivotal moment in my life, helping me overcome my long-standing reluctance to attend school. It gave me a sense of self-assurance and the confidence to embrace challenges head-on. Upon my return to Japan, I actively engaged in various initiatives to support students who were struggling with attendance. I organized events for these students and shared my study abroad experience through speeches at Tobitate events. This year, as a senior student, I took on a new role by participating in the training and pep rally for newly adopted Tobitate students. I provided them with support and guidance, and through these experiences, I discovered the profound joy of helping others succeed.