What "Peace" Means to Us

Freedom from fear. On Saturday, Japanese college students met with CIEE students and asked them to consider what “peace” meant to all of them, and nearly every student mentioned that peace was not just being able to do their favorite activities without being afraid to do so, but being able to thrive and grow with their friends and families.

They didn’t know it, but they were describing a concept in peace and conflict studies called “positive peace.” While “negative peace” is simply the absence of war, positive peace is a place of growth, happiness, and fulfillment. This is the world we want to live in, the one to aim for.

Hiroshima is a beautiful, vibrant city in 2024. But it was hard not to feel the tears swell as we all listened to the powerful experience of a hibakusha, someone who survived the atomic bombing in 1945, and then to visit the Peace Museum, where the stories of victims are described and items such as clothing and pocket watches were displayed. The Hiroshima Interpreters for Peace led us on small tours throughout the city to show us the Genbaku Dome, the hypocenter, the Children’s Memorial, and the peace bell. 

After such a heavy day, it was nice to see the newer, lighter side of Hiroshima by experiencing an entire floor of Hiroshima-yaki stores! We all sat in smaller groups and enjoyed Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, which is difficult to describe but absolutely delicious to taste, and many students affirmed afterward that it was their favorite! Getting to sit at the grill and chat with locals and the chefs was so much fun.

The following day saw us visit Miyajima, considered one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan. We took a ferry out to the island and visited the Itsukushima Shrine and floating torii, attempted to not be chased by our deer friends, went shopping, ate some amazing food, and then barely made it back to the ferry before the rain started. Some of us enjoyed some genmaicha ice cream while we were walking around, too, which I will absolutely lament not having when we return to the States.

Exhausted but fulfilled, we made our way to the shinkansen and home to Kyoto. We are so lucky to wander freely in this beautiful country and laugh and enjoy each other’s company every day! Hiroshima was a heart-wrenching but incredible experience and Miyajima a joyful and delightful one, combining into a trip that we can reflect on as we think about just what “peace” means for us.