This story happened when I was in Form 3. At that time, I was studying Japanese language in school. One day, my Japanese teacher, or sensei, offered us a chance to join an international Yosakoi dance event in Penang. A few of my classmates and I decided to join, and it was actually the first time my school participated in this event. First, we started practicing after school. Honestly, at the beginning it was quite difficult for me because I was not really good at dancing. I often felt awkward and made mistakes, but slowly I improved. We practiced together for weeks, and I realized that teamwork and encouragement from friends helped me a lot. Then, on the event day, I wore the traditional Yosakoi costume for the first time. It was colorful and beautiful, and it made me feel both excited and nervous. Afterwards, we joined the parade and performed the Yosakoi dance along the street, right beside the seaside in Penang. The music was energetic, people were cheering from both sides of the road, and I could see the sea view while dancing. Finally, when we finished, the crowd clapped and smiled at us. We also took many pictures with other teams from different countries. At that moment, I felt very happy and proud of myself. Even though I wasn’t good at dancing at first, I managed to perform confidently in public. It was also very meaningful because it was my first international event, and also the first time my school joined this festival. This experience was really important to me because I gained confidence, I made great memories with my classmates, and I learned that trying something new can be rewarding. Until today, the Yosakoi event remains one of my most unforgettable experiences.”*