BY SHOREYANN RAGOSO
For 22-year-old Geagan Fa’abasua, a simple email changed his life.
Geagan, who comes from Malaita and Western Province in the Solomon Islands, is a student at the University of the South Pacific (USP), Solomon Islands campus. He is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Agriculture Economics, Agribusiness and Data Analytics. This year, he became one of the lucky students selected to take part in the Japan-East Asia Network for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Program 2025.
The JENESYS Program is a Japanese government-funded initiative that promotes people-to-people exchanges. It aims to build mutual trust and understanding between Japan and countries in the Asia-Pacific region. In the Pacific, USP serves as the official coordinator of the program, helping students apply and prepare for the experience.
Speaking to SUNDAY ISLES, Geagan clearly remembers the moment he found out he had been selected.
“When I first found out I was selected for the JENESYS Program, I was happy because I get to visit Japan but most importantly I get to learn something new so that I can bring back to my home country,” he said with a smile.
For Geagan, the opportunity was not just about travel. It was about learning and growth.
He explained that he first heard about the program through other students who had participated in previous years.
“I first learned about the JENESYS program by seeing other students previously applied for it, but because USP serves as the coordinator for the JENESYS program here in the Pacific so emails are usually sent to USP students regarding the application criteria and how to apply for the JENESYS Program,” he said.
After reading the email and learning more about the exchange, Geagan decided to apply. He went through the selection process and was proud to be chosen to represent his country and university.
During his time in Japan, Geagan said he was deeply touched by the culture, the people and the country’s strong sense of responsibility towards the environment.
“I think my biggest takeaway is just learning about the Japanese culture, their way of life, but most importantly their approach to marine conservation, environmental sustainability. And this has helped me to better understand the importance of protecting our marine resources and environment here in the Solomon’s,” he said.
Coming from an island nation where the ocean plays a central role in daily life, Geagan said seeing Japan’s efforts in marine conservation gave him new ideas. He believes Pacific island countries can learn from Japan’s example in caring for the sea and keeping communities clean.
He also spoke about the main goal of the JENESYS Program and why it matters to students in the Pacific.
“The JENESYS Program is an initiative by the Government of Japan to promote mutual, cultural, and academic understanding and to strengthen the relationship between Japan and the Pacific island countries through youth cultural exchange. But I think for USP students it gives them an opportunity to learn something meaningful, that they can bring back to their Pacific Islands community to inspire them,” Geagan explained.
One of his strongest memories of Japan was his first impression of the city.
“Obviously when I first arrive in Japan my first impressions were how innovative the city was, they are so advance in terms of technology, their way of life, but the thing that stands out for me is RESPECT,” he said.
He noticed that respect was shown everywhere — in schools, on public transport and in everyday interactions.
“Respect is shown in everything that they do, especially from young children to older people they take respects even in the little things they do, and I think that is something we as Pacific islanders should adopt from them and take to do in our community,” he added.
For Geagan, the exchange program was not only about academics or sightseeing. It was about building friendships, sharing cultures and creating understanding between nations.
As he looks back on his experience, he has strong advice for other young people thinking about applying for international programs.
“I believe that International Youth Program such as the one that I participated in, the JENESYS program is important for various reasons, firstly for academic and cultural mutual understanding secondly for developing young leadership, thirdly maybe for international cooperation or strengthening ties between the host country and the participating countries, as well as fostering people to people diplomacy,” he said.
“But it also gives an opportunity to students or young Pacific islanders to get to learn something important or something new that they can bring back to their home country and hope to inspire the next generation of young Solomon Islanders or Pacific islanders.”
For this young man from Malaita and Western Province, Japan was more than a destination. It was a classroom without walls — and a lesson in respect, responsibility and hope for the future.
