For Malris Utumapu Mohr, getting accepted for the JENESYS project was a dream come true allowing her to visit Japan and crossing off one thing from her wish-list.

She is a third-year law student at the University of South Pacific. The JENESYS project is an exchange program between Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, which helps strengthen the bond between these countries.

"When I was young it has always been a dream for me to travel to Japan and the JENESYS program has made that dream come true and I was very happy because I am in my 20s and getting to experience all the things I’ve always dreamed of experiencing," she said. 

"First of all, there are three things I’d like to share from my experience in the program. First, it was our visit to the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima. The museum tells the stories of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by America and reading through the stories of people was very emotional and heartbreaking and as a student who studied history this was a very great opportunity for me to learn more of what really happened 80 years ago.

"The second highlight was our homestay with the local families. We were welcomed by the Kurimitu family, a 65-year-old couple. Staying with them for two days was very memorable because we got to learn how to make Japanese food, learn their way of living in the countryside, and getting to experience many things that are not normally found on the Island. We were also excited to see actual snow and snowfall, and I was contented because I was living my childhood dreams."

The 21-year-old also visited the Team Lab Planets, a museum full of technological sites. She had always planned on visiting that place as it is one of Japan's most attractive museums.

"The JENESYS allowed me to fulfil this dream of mine. The technology in Japan is very advanced and makes the museum more attractive to tourists. Having to interact with my fellow Pacific Islanders and together experiencing the beauty of Japan through the JENESYS was very meaningful and memorable. Getting to experience the culture, trying different cuisines and exploring the lifestyle of the Japanese people was a very different happening for us because the lifestyle in the islands was a total opposite," she said.

"I encourage the youth and anyone in Samoa who has so much interest in Japan and wants to explore the beauty of this country, to apply and get the chance to travel to Japan and live your dreams just as I have lived mine in the weeks that have passed. 

"It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but Japan can also open more opportunities for you to come back to Japan and further your studies in the future.  And I would like to thank JENESYS for the incredible opportunity given to me which I was able to enjoy and fulfil my long-term dream. Arigato Gozaimasu and hope to see Japan again soon. "

The JENESYS program is a fully funded program, all expenses are covered such as flight fares, accommodation, meals and transportation. The program will recruit Pacific Islanders so they can have the chance to promote their countries in Japan and for them to learn about Japanese culture. The JENESYS program aims to strengthen the bond between island countries and Japan.