From March 15 to 22, second-year students of the IM Course participated in a one-week study tour in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

In the IM Course, this study tour is conducted after students complete their one-year study abroad experience. Having been supported by many people during their time abroad, students aim to grow from being “those who are supported” to “those who support others.” In this program, they engage in practical projects in a rapidly developing Asian country.

During the program, students collaborated with NPO very50 and worked alongside local changemakers (entrepreneurs) who are tackling real social issues. They joined a project-based program called MOG (Mission on the Ground), forming teams with university students and working professionals as mentors.

Divided into four teams, the students each addressed challenges faced by different entrepreneurs. Over the course of one week, they conducted market research and sales activities, then analyzed the data from their own initiatives to propose concrete solutions.

Throughout the experience, students often faced difficulties, such as struggling to gain people’s attention or communicate effectively, encountering the realities of society firsthand. Despite these challenges, they persevered in conveying the passion and vision of the local entrepreneurs. During the final presentations, some entrepreneurs were so moved by the students’ sincere efforts that they were brought to tears.

Through this experience, students learned the difficulty of tackling questions without clear answers and gained a deeper understanding of social realities. At the same time, they discovered the meaning of “taking action for others” and realized that even if problems cannot be solved immediately, the process itself brings significant personal growth. They came to appreciate the importance of taking the first step.

The slogan of the second-year IM students is:
“Expand Your Horizons – Discover your aspirations through study abroad, overseas programs, and encounters with people.”

Through encounters with people living earnestly in Cambodia, students reflected deeply on themselves and spent meaningful time considering how they want to live their lives moving forward. Although visits to Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm were included, this program was not designed as a sightseeing trip. Even so, many students shared that it was their first time dedicating themselves so wholeheartedly to something for others, and some reflected on the experience with tears on the final day.

We hope that the insights and experiences gained through this program will empower the students as they move forward into their third year of the IM Course.

▼Reference

Very50 MOG: https://very50.com/mog2025