“Sometimes, the furthest place from home reminds us of how much we have in common.”
A Little More of The World in Us:
A Journey Toward Global Citizenship
Global Leadership Program (GLP) is an annual international program organized by AJCU-AP (Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities – Asia Pacific). The program brings together students from various universities across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss global issues while developing broader perspectives on leadership.
The theme for GLP 2026 was “Global Citizenship”. It was held at Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea, from August 9–15, 2026. A total of 40 delegates from ten universities across the Asia-Pacific region participated in the program.
Sanata Dharma University (SDU) sent six students delegates: Alfonsus Ardi Jatmiko (Physics Education), Aurelia Pratiwi (English Letters), Aurene Teddy (Psychology), Benedict Jeferson Suteja (Psychology), Benedicta Azima Sankhyasti (English Language Education), and Melissa Angelin Budiono (Pharmacy). They were accompanied by Thomas Wahyu Prabowo Mukti, M.Pd., (English Language Education).
Throughout the week, the delegates participated in a variety of academic activities, discussions, visits, and cultural exchanges with students from the different countries. They had the opportunity to visit the National Assembly of South Korea, the National Museum of Korea, the Korean Demilitarized Zone, and several other historical sites. These experiences allowed the delegates to see the world from different perspectives and develop a deeper understanding that global issues are always connected to people, cultures, history, and real-life experiences.
“Through this program, I can understand that democracy is not just a system for governing individual countries. Democracy is also an essential foundation for building a fairer international community,” said Yuta Tabei, one of the delegates from Sophia University, Japan.
Meeting students from diverse backgrounds, including Taiwan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and other countries, enabled the delegates to go beyond the boundaries of what they had previously understood. They learned that differences do not always create distance; instead, they can create space to listen to each other, developing mutual understanding, and discovering common ground.
“Every voice and opinion matters, especially when we come together as global citizens.”
Through GLP 2026, the SDU delegates were able to bring back more than just knowledge and memories. They returned with new connections, broader perspectives, and a deeper understanding that being a global citizen does not mean having all the answers, but rather having the willingness to listen, remain curious, and be brave enough to take action for a common goal.
In the end, their journey to Seoul reminded them that the farther we travel, the more we discover about the world and ourselves. Perhaps that is what it means to return home with a little more of the world within us.
Written by Sanata Dharma University Delegates
Global Leadership Program 2026