29 April 2026
Two students from Benilde School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT) joined the Asian Youth Leaders Travel and Learning Camp (AYLTLC) 2026 in Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan from March 1 to 5, 2026. The experience boosted their resilience, leadership, and cultural awareness while they connected with peers from across Asia.
AYLTLC is a well‑known youth leadership program first held in Singapore in 2012. Each year it invites students from top universities and high schools to take part in workshops, cultural immersion, and collaborative learning. In 2026, the Japan edition hosted 123 participants selected from 572 applicants, making it a competitive and meaningful experience. Its mix of leadership training and cultural exchange has turned it into one of Asia’s most recognized platforms for shaping young leaders.
Almira Ruth Albelda, a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Management (BS-REM) student, remembered her first night in Yokohama as unforgettable. “I was sitting on a park bench at Yamashita Park Square, looking out over Yokohama Harbour… then I noticed a middle‑aged lady playing the ocarina. She was performing familiar melodies from popular anime soundtracks, and hearing those songs live felt almost magical.” That moment captured the beauty of travel and the unexpected lessons it brings.
Almira’s BS-REM program trains students to give professional advice in real estate projects, apply business management skills, and use green building technology. She connected this training to her experience in Japan. “Getting from the airport limousine bus terminal to our hotel was challenging… it was tiring and stressful, but along the way, Isha and I ended up taking a detour that led us to a Nissan car exhibit we were actually supposed to visit during the program.” She learned to stay calm, weigh options, and adapt when plans changed. These are the same skills she applies in her academic work, where confidence and responsibility are essential in managing projects and making decisions that affect communities.
Keesha Lea Caday, a Bachelor of Science in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship (BS-SIE) student, valued the friendships she built. “We were surrounded by delegates and students from different parts of Asia… one of the most memorable parts was forming friendships with the Japanese ambassadors who welcomed us so warmly and treated us like close friends.” For her, the camp was about sharing everyday life with peers who made Japan feel personal and authentic.
Studying BS-SIE has given Keesha the mindset to design solutions for communities and contribute to sustainable development. During the camp, she discovered that innovation is not only about technology but also about systems that improve daily life. “I saw how even simple things like public transportation, waste management, customer service, and community discipline reflected innovation. These were not necessarily high‑tech solutions, but they were efficient, intentional, and deeply rooted in respect for others.” This insight connects directly to her studies, where social innovation means creating practical solutions with lasting impact.
Both Almira and Keesha joined group challenges during the camp, including the travel competition across Yokohama. Their team won the Champion Travel Award, a recognition that surprised them. Almira recalled, “We had to follow a map of Yokohama, answer questions, and take photos and videos at each spot… hearing that we had won felt very surprising and rewarding.” Keesha added that the award validated the effort and openness she gave during the program.
Resilience, leadership, and cultural awareness shaped what Almira and Keesha took home from AYLTLC 2026. Almira learned to trust her decisions and carry confidence into her academic work in real estate management. Keesha embraced discipline and mindfulness, applying lessons from Japan to her daily routine and her practice of social innovation.
Sending Benildeans to youth camps like AYLTLC builds more than memories. It prepares Benildeans to carry resilience, cultural awareness, and leadership into their future careers and communities. These experiences help shape graduates who are ready to meet challenges with confidence and to contribute meaningfully to society.
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
