Written by Jiyong Han, HEX Ambassador

My HEX Japan 8.1 experience was one of those experiences that challenged me in ways I didn’t expect.

At the beginning of the program, I was curious about what everyone else would create. During the early ideation stage, many of our ideas were still unclear, and some of them seemed a little difficult to develop.

That’s why the pitch presentation day became one of the most memorable parts of the experience for me.

From ideas to something real

Watching everyone’s presentations was genuinely inspiring.

Each person had taken an idea that initially seemed uncertain and transformed it into something that reflected their own personality, interests and perspective. Seeing those early ideas become thoughtful and polished outcomes was both surprising and inspiring.

The experience also taught me that creating something meaningful isn’t always about having the perfect idea from the beginning.

It’s about testing your ideas, asking for help, learning from others and making progress within the time you have.

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Learning beyond the program

I also really enjoyed the time we spent outside the program.

Exploring Kyoto, trying different food and spending time with the friends I made throughout the experience showed me that meaningful professional relationships aren’t only built through formal networking.

They can also grow through exploring together, sharing experiences and having fun.

Those connections became an important part of my HEX experience.

Learning to work under pressure

One of my biggest challenges was feeling like I didn’t have enough time to create the outcome I wanted.

Looking back, the real issue wasn’t simply a lack of time. I needed more experience using the resources available to me, including AI tools, feedback and help from other people, to work efficiently within a short timeframe.

HEX gave me the opportunity to practise that, and it became one of the most valuable lessons I took away.

Why I think students should try HEX

I think students should have an experience like HEX to challenge themselves and discover how much potential they actually have.

Many students tend to underestimate themselves. They may think they aren’t capable of taking on a difficult challenge because of a fear of failure, rather than a true lack of ability.

But when you put yourself in an unfamiliar and challenging environment, you have to navigate uncertainty, solve problems, ask for help and keep moving forward.

Through that process, you start to realise that you are capable of much more than you originally believed.

HEX creates exactly this kind of environment. It is challenging, but it also gives you the people, tools and support you need to work through that challenge.

For students who want to test their limits, expand their possibilities and gain confidence through real experience, I think HEX is one of the best places to do it.

Sometimes, you just have to start.

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