We visited the world's leading graduate school for holistic educationSchumacher Collegeduring a research trip to the United Kingdom.
It was a documentary film that first introduced us to the remarkable work of this educational institution.
The film's director and featured subject, Mr. Tsuji, has also visited Yakushima, generously sharing his invaluable experience as an environmental activist with our island community.
Beyond the encounter with Satish Kumar,
people from diverse generations around the world — particularly younger generations — gather here to experience the education that embodies his vision.
Together they practice self-sufficiency,
engage wholeheartedly in creative work,
and immerse themselves in hands-on learning.
This scene was precisely the future we are striving to create in Yakushima —
and the realization that this future already exists in the world today moved me to tears.
At this graduate school,self-sufficiency exceeds 50%.！！！！！
Students and professors from the ceramics, music, and various other departments garden together,
cook together, and share meals at the same table each day.
It was easy to forget that this is, in fact, a graduate school.
The experience made me realize how deeply ingrained my own stereotype was — that education and schools are purely 'left-brain' endeavors.
という自分の中にステレオタイプな概念がこびりついていることに気付かされました。
One of the signature programs is
the Deep Time Walk — a 4.6 km walk that allows participants to physically experience the 4.6 billion years of Earth's history.
I was able to participate in this extraordinary session,
making this a deeply fulfilling visit to the UK.
There is far too much to capture in writing about the time spent here,
so if you're interested, please feel free to contact us directly.