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Wander and Wonder Beyond Borders: A Journey of Learning and Growth

My world completely transformed when I stepped onto Japanese soil for my university years. Those four years were nothing short of a personal revolution. Imagine going from the familiar streets of Hanoi to the meticulously organized lanes of a Japanese city – it was like someone had handed me a pair of brand-new glasses through which I could see the world differently.

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My university program was a research-intensive journey that completely reshaped my understanding of the world. I dove deep into a fascinating array of research areas that challenged everything I thought I knew. From gender dynamics to political landscapes, from sociological frameworks to the intricate world of social movements, my academic path was anything but linear. 

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One day, I'd be exploring environmental studies, unpacking the complex relationships between human societies and their ecosystems. The next, I'd be dissecting migration patterns and the nuanced concepts of citizenship. Each research area opened up new questions, new perspectives. I found myself fascinated by how cultural and political identities are formed, transformed, and negotiated. How do people understand themselves? How do societies create boundaries? What happens at the intersections of different social experiences? 

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These weren't just academic exercises. Each research project was a window into human complexity – the ways we connect, divide, struggle, and coexist. My professors encouraged critical thinking, pushing me to look beyond surface-level explanations and dig deeper into the intricate social mechanisms that shape our world.

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Learning in Japan wasn't just about academic credits. It was also about breaking down the walls of my previous understanding. Every day brought new challenges, new perspectives, and friends from corners of the globe I'd only read about in books. My curiosity became insatiable. The more I learned, the more I realized how little I actually knew – and how exciting that possibility was!

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My passion has always been learning, but not just in the traditional sense. One concept I stumbled upon during my university years was "sustainable degrowth" – a philosophy that challenges our current economic models and asks us to rethink how we consume, live, and interact with the world around us. It's about finding a balance between human needs and environmental sustainability.

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Recently, I've fallen head over heels in love with hiking. There's something magical about being completely immersed in nature, where the only sounds are your breathing, the rustling leaves, and the distant call of birds. Nature, I've discovered, isn't just a backdrop to our lives – it's a powerful healer, a teacher, a reminder of our place in the grand scheme of things.

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Through this blog, I want to share more than just my experiences. My goal is to offer a multi-perspective understanding of how we can live more harmoniously – with ourselves, with each other, and with the planet. I'll be diving into lessons learned during my university years, exploring ideas about sustainable living, personal growth, and the beautiful complexity of cross-cultural experiences.

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Whether you're a fellow wanderer, a sustainability enthusiast, or someone who's just curious about different ways of seeing the world, I hope you'll find something here that sparks your imagination, challenges your perspectives, or simply brings a smile to your face.

Let's learn, grow, and explore together. Welcome aboard!