We spent some time in New Zealand and it offered more than a change in scenery, it gave us a change in pace.

In Tokyo, life moves quickly. Schedules are tight, conversations are brief and efficiency is often the priority. In Christchurch, things felt different. Life moved at a slower rhythm and people seemed to take genuine time for each other.

One afternoon, I dropped by an office during lunchtime. Someone was enjoying a meal with colleagues, yet when I asked a simple question, she paused, engaged fully and answered at length. Kindness like this was felt throughout our stay. We met people who were warm, generous with their time and sincerely interested in connecting.

The kids also experienced their own version of this shift. At the local primary school, “learning” looked different. Academic work took only a couple of hours a day. The rest was filled with play, exploration and conversations about who you are, what you enjoy, and what you might want to become. Surrounded by classmates from many backgrounds, they found themselves in a mix of cultures that worked together naturally.

There may not have been immediate “visible” progress in language or skills, but the effort was unmistakable. They tried new things, spoke English with people around them and stepped outside their comfort zones. That effort is a valuable kind of growth and worth recognizing.

It was a reminder that sometimes, slowing down allows you to notice more: the people around you, the small acts of kindness and the ways effort shapes growth.

#PeopleAndCulture #LearningThroughExperience