From Classroom to Community Impact: An Alumni Spotlight on Emre Caglar

We are incredibly proud to share a recent feature from International School Times Global, highlighting one of our very own alumni, Emre Caglar.

Emre’s journey—from navigating the halls of our school to founding Youth for Future (YFF)—is a testament to the power of service learning and the global mindset we strive to instill in every student. In a candid conversation with host Ivan Fedoroff, Emre shared how his international school roots paved the way for a nonprofit that is currently transforming the lives of children in Japanese orphanages.

The IB Spark: More Than Just a Curriculum

During the interview, Emre reflected on his 12-year journey through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. He credited the CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) framework as the ultimate catalyst for his passion.

"The IB program really taught me the service learning mindset... it all kind of built up towards my high school project, which was building my own organization through the CAS Project."

For Emre, "Service" wasn't just a graduation requirement; it became a philosophy. He didn’t just want to participate in community service—he wanted to build a sustainable vehicle for change.

The Pivot: From Kenya to Local Communities

Every great founder learns that the first idea is rarely the final one. Emre shared a vulnerable moment in the podcast regarding YFF’s inception. Initially, the organization focused on sending stationery to schools in Kenya. However, after seeing photos of the happy children, Emre realized a hard truth: the supplies would run out in six months, and the impact was temporary.

This realization led to a strategic pivot. YFF shifted its focus to Japan, specifically targeting children in the orphanage system. Emre recognized that while Japan is a developed nation, there is a significant "disconnect" between the international community and local social systems.

Addressing the Digital and Cultural Gap

One of the most eye-opening parts of the interview was Emre’s description of the challenges faced by children in Japanese orphanages. He noted two critical areas where YFF is making a difference:

1. The Research Gap: Emre shared a story about asking students to search for a country's capital online, only to find they didn't know how to use a search engine. YFF now integrates "digital citizenship" into their curriculum.

2. Expanding Horizons: Most children in these homes only interact with two types of adults: teachers and care workers. By bringing in university volunteers from diverse backgrounds, YFF shows these children that their career trajectories aren't limited to what they see within the home's walls.

Bridging Two Worlds

As a foreigner born and raised in Japan, Emre feels a unique responsibility to act as a bridge. Now a student at Keio University’s PEARL program, he continues to lead a team of over 40 volunteers.

His mission for YFF is clear: provide English literacy and international mindedness. In a country where only about 6–8% of the population speaks business-level English, Emre believes these skills are the keys to "full independence" for these children by the time they turn 18.

Why "Youth for Future" is Different

When asked why YFF is growing so quickly, Emre’s answer was simple: Youth Energy. "It’s for the youth, by the youth," he explained. In a sector often dominated by older generations, YFF offers a space where young people can build something from scratch and see the immediate impact of their empathy and hard work.

We are so inspired by Emre’s dedication to "service learning" beyond the classroom. His story reminds us that the goal of education isn't just to prepare students for university, but to empower them to lead with purpose.