On August 10, 2024, SWYAAUK hosted an open summer social in central London. A group of ex-PYs from the UK and France met to catch up and exchange stories and photographs from different years aboard the Nippon Maru. Looking through personal collections and official printed SWY from SWY6 and SWY10, the photographs really brought to life that connection between past and present generations of SWYers.
The group then entered the British museum and headed to the Japanese Galleries where the exhibits evoked more amazing memories of SWY journeys, and participants discussed their hopes of returning to Japan.
After enjoying the museum, the ex-PYs took a short walk to Oxford Street for lunch at the Market Halls. Here, while sampling a number of different cuisines from various countries around the world, the conversation turned to the future. Participants discussed what is next for SWYAAUK, sharing ideas and details of upcoming independent projects, and considering how they might forge stronger connections with their closest neighbouring SWY Alumni Associations: France and Ireland.
It was an extremely pleasant afternoon which proved that the SWY spirit lives on through generations of ex-PYs, and that there is still much work to do in widening the SWY network and connecting Alumni Associations for future projects.
