Within hours, 200 young people from Guanajuato raised their hands for an opportunity that only 20 will get: to travel to Japan with all expenses covered. For 200 young people, the door opened; for 20, it is about to change their course. The 'Rumbo a Japón' call for applications closed on its first day, leaving a telling statistic: only 1 in 10 applicants will get the trip. The program, driven by the Guanajuato State Youth Institute in coordination with the state government, includes a 14-day international stay from May 25 to June 7, with full coverage: flights, lodging, food, transportation, and insurance. Beyond the trip, the selection process will be demanding. In other words, it's not enough to want to go; one must demonstrate an impact on the community. The process is already underway. File review will take place from April 13 to 23; subsequently, the selection committee will meet on April 30, and the results will be published on May 7. Those who advance will face interviews with youth specialists and even with past beneficiaries, a phase where leadership, vision, and the ability to generate change will be measured. Before traveling, the selected individuals must complete a training course from May 8 to 19, designed to prepare them for their international experience. In this edition, the program for the first time focuses on the culture of peace, betting on young people who are already working in dialogue, inclusion, and the reconstruction of the social fabric. High demand, low availability, and a filter that prioritizes real impact. Profiles will be evaluated not only for their academic performance but for their social track record and commitment to the culture of peace, the central axis of this edition.
