The turning point came with the homestay experience in the countryside (Northeastern region) of Thailand in 2017. Until then, I had no interest in overseas at all. However, that homestay experience drastically changed my values. "Is there such a world?"

At the age of 20 at the time, I still vividly remember the shock and excitement. I felt when I encountered this unknown world.After that, I developed an interest in the culture, values, and customs of Thai people, and began self-studying Thai from scratch. There were setbacks, but somehow I managed to acquire a conversational level of Thai, which made my interactions with Thai people even more intimate.Through this experience, I've felt the following 

"People can create the world they desire."

Until I encountered Thailand, I thought that what was right in front of me was all there was. However, I realized that I had created my own "common sense" without realizing it.

"I really want to try this" or "I want to achieve this."

Surely everyone has something like this inside them.

However, the more we become adults, the more we unconsciously put a lid on it, thinking

"But, I guess it's still impossible."

Since we were born on this earth, shouldn't we be able to desire more of what we ourselves want? I think it's a real shame to give up right away, thinking it's impossible from the start.

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Yuya Matsuzaki

Founder of Wabisabi International