2022-2023
WATANABE SCHOLARSHIP REPORT
U.S.-Japan Council

Generously Supported by the Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship Fund

Table of Contents

Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………. 1
About the Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship Program…………………….. 4
Scholarship Statistics………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Watanabe Scholars’ School List……………………………………………………………… 6
Scholars At-A-Glance………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Watanabe Scholars Highlights……………………………………………………………….. 8
Photo Collage………………………………………………………………………………….. 48

Executive Summary
Upon overcoming a global pandemic, we are extremely pleased to have supported a total of 40
scholars (23 Japanese and 17 American) for the 2022-2023 academic cycle, the scholarship’s sixthcohort. The scholars’ bios can be found online here.
From October 27 to 28, 2022, 12 American
students who were studying abroad inJapan gathered in Shibuya, Tokyo toattend the USJC Annual Conference andleadershiptraining.
At
the
TOMODACHI Next Generation Summit,
which was conducted as a part of theAnnual Conference, two Watanabe
Scholarship
alumnispoke
as
TOMODACHI Regional Leaders andshared their experiences from studying abroad, as well as their career path after graduating from their
universities. The scholars also interacted with other Japanese and American students and young
professionals. They learned how to build their network and fully immersed themselves with theAnnual Conference participants, which was attended by over 700 American and Japanese leaders.
The Watanabe Scholars were deeply moved by Mr.
Watanabe’s speech at the Annual Conference and expressed
their sincere gratitude for being a Watanabe Scholar at thedebriefing session. The scholars also shared that being able to
network with many people and connecting with Japanese
students through leadership training, as well as getting toknow their cohorts, were truly meaningful for their study
abroad experience.
During the Annual Conference, these 12 Watanabe Scholars attended a dinner with Mr. Watanabe,
Ms. Suzanne Basalla (USJC President and CEO), and Ms. Susan Morita (Vice Chair, USJC Board of
Directors), in addition to meeting with ten Watanabe Scholarship alumni at a casual dinner.

1From February 24 to 26, 2022, 24 Watanabe
Scholars from the United States and Japan
gathered in Los Angeles for a Leadership
Weekend.
During the course of this leadership training, wewelcomed USJC Associates Micheal Sueoka(SteadyMD, ELP ‘17), Kenyon Mayeda (TDW+Co,
ELP ‘12) and Mia Russell (Japanese American
National Museum, ELP ‘22) who shared theirrespective career journeys with the Watanabe Scholars while touching on a variety of topics, including
taking risks early in one’s career, the importance of networking, mental health, and celebrating thelittle things over the course of their careers. The Watanabe Scholars also had an opportunity to interact
with former Watanabe Scholarship
recipients Sakura Hoshi, Masumi Abe,and Miho Namba, who shared theirexperiences obtaining jobs in the UnitedStates. The highlight was meeting with
Mr. Watanabe in person, who walked
the students through a visualization exercise that culminated in the students sharing their goals anddreams with their cohorts.

The program wrapped up with a presentation by Council Leader Mitch Maki (Go for Broke National
Education Center) and a visit to the Japanese American National Museum, both of which gave the
Watanabe Scholars an opportunity to learn more about the Japanese American internment experienceand history.

2

Although the scholarship is operated with limited staff, the Watanabe Scholarship Team makes every
effort to promote the scholarship when and where possible, especially to Japanese audiences, since
resources for study abroad scholarships seem to be limited.
In September 2022, team member Kana Takagi attended
EducationUSA Tokyo, which is a study abroad fair hosted by
the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, to speak with students andguardians who were interested in learning about financial
resources that can be applied towards their potential study
abroad in the United States. The fair had over 260 prospective
applicants.
In November 2022, then Program Manager Grace Kim
conducted a promotion tour in Japan and visited Hokkaido University, Kobe University, the Okayama
Prefectural Government, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The administrators andstaff were interested in learning more about the application process and eligibility so that they could
share the opportunity with as many students as possible.
We are grateful to the Toshizo Watanabe Foundation for the generous endowment gift that makes thisscholarship possible. There has been a tremendous and positive response to the scholarship by both
Japanese and American students who plan to study abroad. We would also like to thank Mr.
Watanabe for making the time for the Annual Conference and leadership trainings. We look forward
to the continued success of the Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship Program. We hope you
enjoy this report and thank you once again.
Sincerely,
Izumi Swarts
Program Manager

3About the Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship Program
The Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to undergraduate
and graduate students for a semester or year-long study abroad program in either the United States
or Japan. A generous endowment gift of $10 million from Mr. Toshizo (Tom) Watanabe to the U.S.Japan Council (the Council) makes it possible to award scholarships to Japanese and American
students with leadership potential for whom study abroad would not be possible without financial
support. The scholarship program grants awards to recipients in amounts determined by financial
need and other qualifications. For the inaugural program years of 2016-18, the scholarship supported
Japanese undergraduate students who studied in the United States. Beginning in the 2018-19 school
year, the scholarship also supports American students studying in Japan.
The Council will recruit, select, and support scholarship recipients, welcoming them to the
TOMODACHI Generation as future leaders and contributors to the U.S.-Japan relationship. For more
information, please see: https://www.usjapancouncil.org/watanabe-scholarship/.

4

Scholarship Statistics

Total Number of Watanabe Scholars
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2022 2022-2023
Total Number of Watanabe Scholars

Total Amount of Awarded Scholarships$400,000$350,000$300,000$250,000$200,000$150,000$100,000$50,000$0

Total
TotalAmountAmountofofAwardedAwardedSchoarships
Scholarships

52022-2023 Watanabe Scholars’ School List
Japanese Scholars Studied at…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

American Film InstituteBates College
Boston University
Brandeis University
Brown University
Dartmouth College
Georgia State University
Grinnell College
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthJohns Hopkins University
Lane Community College
McKendree University
Minerva University
Smith College
Stanford University
Temple University

American Scholars Studied at…
•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Chicago
University of North Carolina
Wilmington
University of West Alabama
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Williams Collage

Their Home Schools included…
(For those on exchange programs)
•
•
•
•
•

Keio University
Musashi University
Nihon University
Osaka University
Waseda University

Their Home Schools included…
(For those on exchange programs)

Graduate School of International
Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe
University
Hokkaido University
International Christian University
Kansai Gaidai University
Kwansei Gakuin University
Osaka Gakuin University
Ritsumeikan University
Temple University Japan
Toyo University
Waseda University

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

6

Appalachian State University
California State University Channel
Islands
California State University Monterey
Bay
DePaul University
Drake University
Edmonds College
Missouri State University
Randolph-Macon College
Siena College
Temple University
University of Connecticut
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor2022-2023 Scholars At-A-Glance
Nationality

Level of Education

Sex

Type of International Studies Programs

7

Watanabe Scholars Highlights
Gota Akagiri
McKendree University (Degree-Seeking)While I studied abroad in the United States, I gained experience thatmakes me blown away. I couldn’t have got it if I have attended a college
in Japan. Thanks to the Watanabe scholarship, I am able to realize mystudying abroad in the United States and expand my perspective largely
by reconsidering how invaluable studying abroad is, facing myself tounderstand who I am, and refining my skills for my career goal.
Personally, the meaning of the chance to do studying abroad for mechanged as I studied on an American college campus. Before I started to
study abroad in the United States, I thought that it would be putting myself in a challenging
environment where the culture is different from my home, and people around me would be sofriendly and outgoing that even if I stay passive, I could be able to be socialized with others. However,a couple of weeks after the first semester began, I noticed that in order to realize what I want to try, I
have to consider what I need and take action. I believe excusing myself for being introverted becauseof my mental barrier caused by cultural differences and expecting other people’s help too much would
ruin the chance to change myself. I learn that, for me, studying abroad is described as being active andmaking a big step in a challenging situation by utilizing all opportunities that I could never get if I
were in Japan. Personally, the chance to study abroad in the United States means trying to put aside
the existing character I’d like to change and take a step forward in the challenging environment to try
what I’ve never experienced in Japan.
The experience in the United States impacted my career goal in the future by making my passion for
my dream stronger. My long-term goal is to become an official staffer specializing in urban planningat the International Organization to design livable cities in devolving countries. By thinking about
what the chance to do study abroad in the United States has meant to me personally and academically,
I realize it is an invaluable experience. My mental change through studying abroad made it easy to bemyself and express originality, which helps me to face myself to understand who I am. The experienceof studying abroad impacted my career objectives by reconsidering and updating my short-term goals
to refine my skills to achieve my long-term goals in the future. I’m deeply grateful to the donor U.S.Japan council and Mr. Toshizo Watanabe from the bottom of my heart.

8Sabrina Alcin
Waseda University (Exchange)
Exploring different places, whether it be the classroom, a walk toseven eleven, a new cafe, or an entirely different prefecture eachexperience will forever be ingrained in my brain. Personally, given theopportunity to study abroad has made me more eager to travel toother countries to learn about their culture and lifestyles. Although
America is a melting pot of different cultures I never took the time togo out, explore, and learn about new things. I preferred to stay in my
comfort zone. But after coming to Japan that has completely changed.
I have grown not only as a student but as a person who is confident to take a step out of my comfort
zone and take the time to enjoy the things around me. Even with the many surprises I’ve encountered
while in Japan I’m glad I had the chance to experience it. Personally, being exposed to a different
culture allowed me to become more adaptable. If I was able to navigate in a foreign country I knowthat my future is limitless. On the academic level being able to attend such a prestigious university
allowed me the opportunity to learn from high-level professors and engage with other students fromdifferent backgrounds than me, this ultimately enhanced my creativity and problem-solving skills.
The advice I want to share with future Watanabe Scholars is firstly stepping out of your comfort zone.
Luckily wanting to study abroad in Japan already is the first step, but being open-minded to newexperiences and unexpected encounters will lead to personal growth. Also, another piece of advice islearning the language, even if you're not fluent having studied Japanese beforehand greatly helped
me in certain situations. Lastly, taking initiative. Coming from someone who tends to go with the flow.
Taking the initiative benefited me so much. I went out of my way to attend workshops, practice myJapanese with strangers, and joined clubs, and by doing this I was able to make the most out of mytime while I was in Japan, while creating long-lasting connections. Being a Watanabe Scholar has beena great honor, and I’m glad I was selected to receive this scholarship. Not only did it provide financial
support but it also allowed me to connect with other Watanabe scholars who see the importance of
cultural exchange, and I even had the pleasure of reconnecting with some scholars while being inJapan. But overall, studying abroad has been a life-changing experience for me that I will always
remember.

9

Emily Argust
Kansai Gaidai University (Exchange)
Every day I lived in Japan was a journey. Even the days which I barely left
my room where a journey as I learned new things about myself that I’m
not sure I would have learned otherwise. My time in Japan really opened
my eyes to how much I have learned and how much more there is still left
to learn about.
My time in Japan had many ups and downs. Traveling and seeing so many
new places was really something special to me. But on the other hand it brought many lows as I
questioned my capabilities in my studies as well as the connections I was making. At first it was hardmaking friends as none of the Japanese student were going to be on campus until April and I tend to
be a very shy person at first. I tend to let things build up emotionally until I hit a breaking point. But
I can honestly say that my trip to mount Hie, even though it was a school field trip and I was learning
the whole time I was there, hit a reset button in me. I felt inspired to continue going out and reach out
to more people. I felt like for the first time since stepping off that plane in Japan that I could breathe.
I knew before even leaving for Japan that I was going to have good days and bad days. That is just apart of study abroad. Nothing is always just a good thing. Even though many of the things I broughtback were from my travels a lot of things were also from my classes. I loved all the classes I took in
Japan. I took a ceramics class while I was in Japan and that was so much fun. The professor wasamazing. He did a wonderful job of teaching us while also letting us explore things on our own andlearn a few things about ourselves along the way. I felt like I was learning about the true Japan bybeing in the country rather than reading about it in a book as if it were a tale about some far away
land. While in Japan I knew I was learning a lot, but it wasn’t until I returned home and helped at theVirginia Governor’s Japanese Academy that it became prevalent just how much I had learned. I wasa staff member last year at the academy, but this year I felt like I knew so much more. I was able toanswer questions about Japanese culture that I would have never been able to answer had I not visited
Japan.
I came to college never thinking about studying Japanese, and now I’ve lived in Japan for a semesterof my already shorted college career as I am graduation early in December. I will continue studying
Japanese after graduation as my goal is to be able to go back to Japan and visit all the places I wasn’t
able to before during my study abroad. But this time I want to be better at Japanese. I want to hold theconfidence to carry a conversation with native speakers. But that will have to be later in life. In anotherchapter later in my life’s story. I’m still learning who I am, but my time in Japan has helped me
discover more piece that make up who I am.

10

Kanon Aso
Boston University (Exchange)
The most significant value I gained from studying abroad is theimportance of becoming a person who is accepted in the places andenvironments I want to be in. Although I didn't have prior overseas
experience, I did achieve the result of passing the selection process forthe exchange program within the university, and I had more
confidence in my English proficiency compared to those around me.
However, upon arriving at the destination, I was surprised by my own
inadequacy in English. Inability to communicate effectively in English leads to difficulties inestablishing connections.
Lacking effective communication skills also translates into an inability to showcase my strengths andpersonality, which often led me to experience significant stress when engaging in English
conversations with others. During that time, I went through a phase where I felt uncomfortable withinterpersonal communication. I began to think about what kind of friends would make me happy if I
were a local student hosting exchange students and what kind of people I would want to be friends
with. This shift in perspective made me realize that what matters most is not just how fluently you
can speak English, but rather the character, vibe, and the desire to build relationships with others.
With this insight, I gradually overcame the stress of speaking English and started conversing more
without being overly concerned about grammar mistakes or pronunciation.
During my study abroad, in terms of academic achievements, I attended Boston University andfocused on courses related to media communication during thefall semester. Since I had a broad interest in various forms of
media, I took classes in mass communication, journalism, film,
and television, exploring multiple areas within the media field.
challenges such as the difficulty of communicating in English,
inconveniences in the dormitory, and managing my well- being
in an unfamiliar environment. In academics as well, I
encountered struggles such as not being able to fully capitalize
on valuable opportunities despite receiving them, and being
overwhelmed by the volume of assignments. As a result, since
returning to my home country, I feel that the barriers to taking onchallenges have significantly lowered.
My current ultimate dream is to spread entertainment, including
Japanese music, to the world. While studying abroad, I felt thatJapanese manga and anime were highly recognized. However, on
the other hand, I also feel that aspects of Japanese popular culture
such as music are not well acknowledged.

11

Hiroshi Azuma
Johns Hopkins University (Degree-Seeking)
Having already completed my psychiatry residency in Japan, my study
abroad happened at a later stage of life than most Watanabe Scholars.
One thing I realized was how the social discourse is different in the U.S.
and Japan. My classmates were very passionate about making changes inDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The content and tone of the discussion
significantly differed from what I had been used to in Japan, and I was
fascinated by the discussion. I conducted a qualitative research project toinvestigate the discussion more deeply. It’s been great to hear people’s
stories! I chose Johns Hopkins University partly because it is located in Baltimore, not in Boston or
New York. As I had hoped, living in this city allowed me to learn about aspects of the U.S. I didn’tknow about. For example, on the very first day of our master’s program, one of the speakers at theorientation told us how Johns Hopkins is built on the exploitation of primarily African Americanneighboring communities. It is historical and current, though the university is trying to fix it. “Black
Butterfly” describes the racial demographic of Baltimore, where Black communities spread in the west
and east of the city, while the city’s center is primarily White. As public health focuses on the healthand lives of vulnerable and marginalized individuals, it is essential to be cognizant of these social andhistorical backgrounds. Studying public health in the city of Baltimore was a vivid experience.
Being a Watanabe Scholar was an amazing part of my study in the U.S. My MPH program has this (abit weird) policy that “if you have external funding, you are more likely to receive an institutional
scholarship from the university.” In fact, only a few days after I notified the school that I was chosen
as a Watanabe Scholar, the university increased the amount of institutional scholarship by the exact
same amount as that of Watanabe. These “double” financial aids eased my burden tremendously,
especially because we suffered from a weaker yen. In addition, Watanabe Leadership Weekend wasanother perk of being a Watanabe Scholar. I connected with other Scholars in different schools andwith different interests, and the vibrant Japanese American community around Los Angeles. Learning
about Japanese Americans’ experiences of internment touched me emotionally.

12

Rebekah Blume
Waseda University (Exchange)
Things started off shaky for me when I first entered Japan as I struggled
to make it to my dorm with an abundance of luggage, by metro. If it
were not for a kind old man who saw me exhaustedly making my way
down the street, I am not sure that I would have made it to my dormat all. This experience solidified for me just how kind of a country
Japan can be. My experience abroad was overall a very exciting andrewarding time; not only did I improve my Japanese tremendously in
speaking and listening, but I also began working on one of my future dreams of being a singer inJapan.
I had been waiting for seven years to return to Japan after my first time abroad when I was 15, and I
will be forever grateful to the Bridging Scholarship for granting me the chance to go again.
One of my personal goals was to make a lot of Japanese friends as I would not really have theopportunity in the United States, and I did successfully make a few. It was very difficult for manyreasons, but mostly because of the language barrier and cultural differences. The main way that I
made friends is by joining circles and I chose all music circles so that I could get singing performanceexperience. It was perhaps the most exciting part of my time here; I love singing but had never done
it in front of a crowd before and loved getting to be a part of multiple bands and singing various
genres of music. I recommend that everyone make friends from circles because you can easily findpeople with shared interests.
Some of the most important advice that I can give to anyone planning to study abroad, to Japan or
anywhere else, is to make sure you are mentally well enough to live in a foreign country, especially if
you already suffer from mental health problems. I suffer from PTSD, BPD, anxiety and depression allof which I was being treated for in the United States. Please make sure to put your health first in every
situation. Japan is not going anywhere and if you need to take time to get treatment and heal before
doing something as life changing and stressful as being abroad, it is best to make that decision, no
matter how difficult. I felt that my mental health was in a decent place but the stress of being abroad
exacerbated symptoms of my illness which is something that everyone needs to keep in mind.
Even with the problems I encountered, I do not regret going to Japan, I just think it was not the righttime. In the end, I still have a lot of good memories and still have plans to return to live out my dreams
of being a singer. My favorite memories will always be the time I spent with friends, my performancesand going to rock concerts. My plans after graduating are to return to Japan as an English teacher andcontinue to work on my career.

13

Ashley Cunningham
Tokyo University (Exchange)
To begin, I would like to give a big thank you to all of those involved
with this scholarship. All of the experiences and opportunities that wereavailable were because of the generosity and hard work of the Toshizo
Watanabe Scholarship Team. Since September, I have seen myself growtremendously in many ways. For example, I have become more
confident in myself and my ability to be independent in stressful
situations.
Being a Watanabe Scholar has meant everything to me on this exchange. I met many other friends
through the TOMODACHI Initiative and the USJC Annual Conference, which has changed the courseof my future. My time in Japan has also improved my Japanese speaking skills, which was my goal
and my dream after three years of deferral. It has also sparked more of a passion for Japan, as I planon returning next year. I gained more independence, as it was my first time using the train system,
buying groceries every month, budgeting, and speaking a different language every day. I feel more
confident and optimistic about my future. This could not have been done without the kindness andefforts of the Watanabe Scholarship Team. Therefore, after my exchange program, I am now working
on my next steps in coming back to Japan to do international relations or interpretation work,
including potential positions with the JET Program or at the USJC. When I return to Springfield, I
want to continue to practice Japanese with members of the Sister Cities of Springfield Organizationand to inspire other MSU students to study abroad by giving a presentation.
My advice is to try to learn at least survival Japanese before arriving. It will help you in times of need
and will make processes go much more smoothly. It is a beautiful language, so if you have more sparetime to learn, conversational Japanese will help you make many friends that you were not expecting.
In my experience, Japanese students are shy to speak English, but if you make an effort to speak alittle Japanese, they feel really happy and excited. Bridging the gap first is so important to making
meaningful connections.

14

Savanna Fortlage
Kansai Gaidai University (Exchange)
Before I studied abroad, I considered myself someone who kept tothemselves. Communicating with people was often difficult for me(language barrier or otherwise), and the fear of making mistakes often
prevented me from taking advantage of opportunities which presented
themselves. Once I got to Japan, the fresh start which it presented was bothfreeing and overwhelming: I was free to reinvent myself, but far away fromthe people and support structures I am used to. I was in a dorm of other international students, andam so grateful that we all got put together. Towards the end of the semester, I signed up for an English
talk event with high schoolers who were applying to Kansai Gaidai. There was one person who was
uneasy at the prospect of speaking English, so we spoke Japanese instead and they opened up. They
asked me something which made me pause: “How do you get the confidence to speak Japanese, eventhough you’re learning it?” While the question stumped me for a minute, my answer came quite
naturally, as if it was in the back of my head all along: “You have to know that you will mess up, andit's ok when you do. No one is fluent in a language immediately, and you shouldn’t let the fear of
making mistakes keep you from learning and practicing.” This was simultaneously a message tomyself, which I had been unconsciously practicing since I had got to Japan and only then consciously
realized. My academic plans for the future were heavily influenced by my time in Japan. In my classes
at Kansai Gaidai, I got a survey of East Asian film and literature, with a special focus on Japan. I am
grateful I took those classes, because many subject areas I studied were too niche to be offered at myhome university. Without the Foundation’s support, I would not have had the chance to study abroad,and by extension, develop personally, interpersonally, and academically. All communication I have
had with the staff has been timely and informative, and all the interfaces provided have worked well.
The Watanabe Scholars Virtual Program was both pragmatic in its approach and easy to comprehendand navigate.

15

Shohta Fujii
American Film Institute (Degree-Seeking)First of all, this experience of studying abroad for filmmaking is an
opportunity of a lifetime for me. It is an experience that can transformmy life and broaden my horizons. As a filmmaker, studying abroad
helped me develop my skills, gain valuable industry knowledge, andcreate connections that will last a lifetime.
One more difference I noticed is the role of a cinematographer. The
Japanese cinematographers do not talk about the story. In contrast, American cinematographers are
expected to talk about story and input their viewpoint to develop material with a director. I was
thinking that the difference between the Japanese cinematographers and the American one comesfrom technical understanding, however, the true difference comes from a deep understanding of thestory and how to capture the story in visually. Language of Cinematography is the most favorite classduring those two terms. Hana Kitasei, a teacher in the class, taught us 3 important things to be a better
cinematographer who can contribute to storytelling. The first one is that we have to improve our skills
to describe an image. The second one I learned is a feedback loop a cinematographer can use. The
third one is that viewers change where to see based on information they get in advance.
I would like to use my connection and learning to improve the Japanese filmmaking industry.
I already set up a couple of meetings with teachers in AFI and a Japanese film director who wants tolearn their system. They were all welcome to give their experience and knowledge to him and I learnt
a lot through the meetings too. We are going to see a couple of producers working on Netflix andAbema TV in a few weeks to share what we learn in the States.
Lastly, the scholarship helped me achieve my long-term career goals by allowing me to pursue mystudies with greater ease and comfort. It is incredibly meaningful to me that the committee recognized
my academic and personal achievements and chose me for this scholarship. Again, I would like tothank you and the entire scholarship committee for selecting me for this scholarship. I am grateful forthe opportunity to pursue my academic goals with greater ease.

16

Yuichi Fukunaga
Williams College (Degree-Seeking)The opportunity to study and conduct research in one of the UnitedStates' most challenging academic environments has allowed me tonurture my knowledge, evolve my perspectives, and prepare myself forthe vibrant career that lies ahead. The academic rigor at Williams College
pushed me to delve deeper into my major, Neuroscience, pushing myintellectual boundaries, and sparking a fervor for research. This
dedication bore fruit as I was bestowed with the Highest Honor in Neuroscience, an achievement I
hold dear. Additionally, I was recognized as the top student in the neuroscience department at
commencement, a testament to the diligent pursuit of my academic goals. These accolades were notsimply academic achievements but milestones that validated my hard work and commitment to mychosen field. Perhaps the most unexpected yet exhilarating outcome of my time at Williams was thebirth of a synthetic biology startup that I co-founded with a friend. This venture, which started as
passionate discussions about a shared idea in our dorm rooms, has evolved into a viable business. The
transition from being students discussing an invention to running a corporation is a unique experiencethat has instilled in me a sense of entrepreneurship. Our work now has the potential to impact society
significantly, making us realize the power of innovation and the responsibility it carries. In thewhirlwind of academic triumphs and entrepreneurial adventures, the most significant transformation
I experienced was personal. The knowledge and skills I acquired at Williams College and theexperiences I gathered have prepared me to advance my career further. I am now ready to delve into
neuroscience research at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Germany and explore businessdevelopment strategies at my startup. This dual passion—to advance the field of neuroscience and to
make a significant societal impact through my biotech startup—is the driving force as I step into myfuture. Studying internationally in the U.S. has been a rewarding and enlightening experience. The
cultural diversity and complexity of the U.S., as experienced through my interactions with friends andprofessors at Williams, broadened my perspectives significantly. From my experience, I learned that
understanding a society's complexity requires a first-hand experience, a realization that would havebeen challenging to acquire had I remained in Japan, a country where homogeneity is more prevalent.
These interactions and experiences have left an indelible mark, enriching my global understanding.
Being a Watanabe Scholar has instilled in me a sense of responsibility to give back. My dream is to
one day be in a position where I can provide scholarships for
future students, nurturing their academic growth just as the
Watanabe Scholarship did for me. The Watanabe Scholarshiphas been more than just financial support; it has been a catalyst
for my growth, encouraging me to delve deeper into myacademic pursuits and explore new horizons.

17Hannah Fulton
Ritsumeikan University (Exchange)
The chance to do study abroad has meant the absolute world to me, as it
has been my dream to not only be able to visit and live in Japan, but toalso be able to study abroad and live in a different country, since I was
about 12 years old, so it has been my dream and goal for over 10 years
now. Having grown up in a low-income household, I didn't really have
many opportunities to leave my state, much less leave the country. Thiswas only amplified when the pandemic happened, as I was justtransferring to my university so that I could continue to study Japanese and study abroad through myschool, so when the exchange program kept getting canceled and delayed, I began to lose hope of everbeing able to make it to Japan. However, when it was allowed again, and especially due to receiving
this scholarship, was when I realized that my dreams were actually coming true and I would be able
to live the life I had always envisioned.
I feel like I have changed in multiple ways, as now I have less anxiety, and more self-confidence,
thanks to having to go through difficult challenges. I feel that these are skills that one can truly honewhen living abroad in a different country, especially by yourself. Studying internationally in Japan
has felt like being in an entirely different world, as so many things are entirely different, but it has
truly been the best experience for me, and I am actually very happy and glad that it is so different
from what I have been used to my entire life. One thing that I had the chance to do that I neveranticipated and expected, was being able to meet and have dinner with a geisha. I had learned about
the history of geisha before coming here, but always knew that it was very private now and very
expensive to even be able to see one in real life, so I was not expecting to be able to meet with one.
However, thanks to my professor of the wagashi class I had taken, I was able to join a dinner withhim, my fellow classmates, and two geisha at a very private izakaya in January. I feel incredibly
blessed and honored to have been able to sit next to, speak with, and even play drinking games withan incredibly beautiful geisha. It is truly a memorable experience that I will never ever forget.

18

Jazmine Guzman
Kwansei Gakuin University (Exchange)
Studying in Japan was an entirely different experience than studying in
the United States. The duration of each of my classes was also longer thanI was used to, as each class period typically lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes.
In the U.S., my classes have both a lecture and discussion component thatcounts towards my overall grade. My classes in Japan, however,emphasized lectures over group discussion, and I found that I had to shift
the way I absorbed the lecture information in order to succeed as a student.
No matter where in Japan they are located, I highly suggest future Watanabe Scholars make an
attempt to visit as many different areas of Japan as possible. I have no regrets from my time in Japan
precisely because I made the time and effort to visit as many regions of Japan as I could. Different
cities will offer different things to do, and visiting different regions will lead to varied experiences.
Wearing and walking around in a kimono in Kyoto was a more beautiful experience than doing it inTokyo. The art museums in Osaka were fun, but my visit to the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima
was especially memorable. I learned so much about Japan outside of the classroom by taking a bus ora train to a new location. My semester in Japan has been one of the most enriching experiences I have
had because I sought out and experienced the regional diversity of Japan in conjunction with myuniversity studies. Japan is far away from the U.S. and it can be difficult to physically engage in thelanguage and culture after coming home. As a Mexican American, it is especially important for me toshare my experience in Japan with my university community and my Hispanic community whichgoes beyond verbal storytelling. Being a Watanabe Scholar has been an incredible experience, as it hasdeveloped me academically, but also professionally while attending the U.S-Japan Council 2023
Annual Conference in Tokyo. I met a number of amazing people, both Japanese and American, thatcreated an everlasting imprint on my perspective on the future of U.S-Japan relations.

19Reina Haga
Temple University (Exchange)
This study abroad meant to me a lot because I got to study at Temple
University where they provided a gender study course that teaches aboutthe LGBTQIA community. This is very new in the world. Since the final
goal of my life is “Make same-sex marriage legal in Japan” I realized that I
need to study their community and history behind their back. Then, I
noticed that my university does not offer classes that discover this topic.
Therefore, I decided to go to a university in another country where they
have classes related to my interest. Since I met many people who have clear
goals or they know what they want to do, I was motivated and learned from them. I would say thoseare my biggest changes by comparing me before studying abroad.
Studying in the United States as Japanese, I realized students in the class are very different comparedto Japan. For instance, in Japanese style, the professor talks most of the time and all students are quiet
the whole lecture while students in the US, share their opinion a lot. No matter how big is the class,it’s always discussion style. Taking those kinds of classes, I learned if you are not saying anything in
the class, you are not attending or exiting the class. This encourages me to always have my opinions.
I did the presentation about my study abroad at my university. I am currently a finalist in a contest at
my university called the pheasant contest. So, I am thinking to share my experiences in the US to
motivate other people to go to study abroad.
My experiences in the US help me to do something new. They changed the way of thinking aboutliving one life. Because I tried so many things in the US such as joining a club, taking classes that neverlearned before, going to a new place, and meeting new people. In my way, it is worst if you do nottake action and regret it. If I think that this will be something, I always do it before I worry about it.
Therefore, I get a lot of opportunities after I change my way of thinking and taking action. I am
currently doing challenging stuff such as participating in a contest and doing an internship. I am stillworking on these, so it is not clear the result but I am pretty sure these events would impact me andhelp me to make my goal come true.
To become a different person, try everything you want andmake a lot of mistakes. When I came back from the US, myfriend said to me “I can tell your face is different. You changed
a lot.” I did not notice but other people realized. Since I am notafraid of making mistakes, I do everything that I want. So, I
do not have any regrets in the US. This changed me a lot.

20

Kolby Hart
Temple University Japan (Exchange)
My name is Kolby Hart and I am a Watanabe Scholar. In the fall of
2022 I made the decision to attend Temple University Japan, almost
entirely on a whim. At least that is what I tell myself. Truthfully, I
always wanted to visit Japan and speak Japanese daily, and it just
took the disconnection of the experience from the workload to get me
to be able to go to Japan. Studying abroad at first was a means to leave
my home country, and gain new perspectives through the act of
seeing the world up close and as it is. Not seeing it as a tourist world, but as a local who lives there
would. Many people in my program were at a different part of their lives, and I felt too old, and too
disconnected. But through finally meeting the right people, and pushing myself to go out of the
comfort zone I had lived in, I met friends who were so real that spending time with them is more funthan anything else. They helped me learn Japanese, helped me grow personally, and taught me that
two is better than one… or in our case, nine is better than one.
I went into this experience looking for something completely different than what I came out with. Yes
certainly, I learned the language. I feel much better suited to traveling around the world to foreign
places. And of course I feel much better accepting that things are different around the world, and it's
unfair to look at the world through the lens of only your home country. You have to see the world on
the ground, in person. But what really sticks out is the football we play while yelling and teasing eachother in a mix of Japanese and English. The nights spent barely sleeping, because it's better to be uplate together than stuck at home alone. The simple joy of doing homework in the company of others
instead of being locked down in your house doing it all alone. Tokyo gets this reputation as being aplace where it's difficult to make friends, but if you can leap that hurdle, Tokyo is also the perfectplace to build those connections and build something that I truly believe can't be fostered anywhere
else.

21

Paulina Hensley
Waseda University (Exchange)
Personally, this study abroad experience has allowed me to become a more
self-reliant, confident individual. Seeing that I could still live my daily life
in Japan despite struggling with the language barrier encouraged me tobecome more resilient and persevere through the language barrier in mydaily life in Japan. I have even gained more confidence to challenge myself
to do things like go to a movie theater on my own or even treat myself tolunch at a local Japanese restaurant, both of which were things the past me
would not even have the courage to do, especially if a language barrier was involved. Academically,
I have had the opportunity to take classes in a variety of subjects that my home campus does not offer.
Waseda University, my host university, offered classes on Latin American studies, Spanish language
and so on, so I wanted to learn about as many cultures as possible while abroad, and even challenge
myself to take as many language classes as possible. It has been quite enjoyable to not only take theselanguage classes but meet other students from around the world as well which made even myclassroom experience a multicultural experience - something that my home campus can’t provide.
Once I return, I plan on becoming part of my study abroad department on my campus by either beinga student assistant that works in the study abroad department, or even by becoming a member of mycampus’s study abroad club. I also plan on continuing to be a student peer mentor in my campus’s
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). The summer before coming to Japan, I had the opportunity
to start encouraging my mentees to study abroad by telling them how I applied to and funded mystudy abroad trip. It was amazing to see how encouraged my mentees were to try and study abroadin the future as well, especially since they come from backgrounds where they didn’t see studying
abroad as possible due to many different barriers in their education. This experience has not only
allowed me to learn a new language but to learn how to communicate with others if I don’t know theirlanguage. This will greatly help me with my future goals of becoming a nurse because there will besituations where I may not know the main language of one of my patients and I will have to navigatethat situation despite having a language barrier.

22

Ayano Hirose
University of California, Berkeley (Exchange)
The most memorable experience during my study abroad was visiting theJapanese American National Museum as part of the “Watanabe
Scholarship Weekend” and listening to a speech by Mr. Mitchell Maki
(CEO of the Go for Broke National Education Center). From his speech, I
learned about the racial discrimination and hardships that JapaneseAmericans experienced during and after World War II, and felt that thisfact must be passed onto future generations both in Japanese society andin American society.
In order to spread this history and appeal to people for the necessity of eliminating the gross humanrights violations, I considered the media to be an effective way. Since I was a member of a UC
Berkeley-accredited media organization (CalTV), I decided to make a video which focused on thehistory of Japanese Americans and the cultural ties between the two countries. I went to the “Northern
California Cherry Blossom Festival”, which celebrated the fusion of Japanese and American cultures.
In the video, I interviewed Mr. Maki and other cultural figures who serve as bridges between Japanand the United States. The video was viewed more than 1,600 times and I felt a sense of achievement
when my American friend told me that she could deeply understand the history of the two countries
along with the beauty of Japanese culture after she watched my video.
One important thing that I would like to advise to the next Watanabe Scholars is that "Don’t be afraidof jumping into a new environment and making mistakes. Challenge anything that you are interestedin”. It was my first time to study abroad in the United States and I had a great deal of anxiety before
the departure. Moreover, when I joined CalTV, there was no foreign student in the club except me.
However, by reminding myself to be brave and getting out of my comfort zone, I was able to have awonderful experience that I will remember for the rest of my life and meet wonderful friends who
have the same passion. Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Toshizo Watanabe
for providing this scholarship. Furthermore, I appreciate the U.S.-Japan Council for the generous
support and the 24 Watanabe Scholars who made my trip to Los Angeles unforgettable.

23

Akane Hubbard
Osaka Gakuin University (Exchange)
Over the course of four months, not only did I achieve some of my criticallanguage study goals, but I grew in ways I never could have imagined.
Before I even left the country, however, I was given the opportunity tolearn about and contextualize the U.S.-Japan relationship. I was able tovirtually participate in the 2023 Next Generation Summit, titled “TheNew Age of Leadership,” in which I heard distinguished alumni of the
TOMODACHI generation and guests speak about their experiences furthering the U.S.-Japan
relationship. We heard from leaders across diverse sectors ranging from diplomatic relations to social
work. Through the engaging personal testaments, I gained an understanding of how the work of U.S.Japan cross-cultural connection, understanding, and collaboration is important across the board. I was
unable to engage in-person with the panelists, but thanks to innovative techniques like graphic
recording (pictorial hand-drawn notes), I still felt intellectually involved in the seminar. In addition
to the Next Generation Summit, the Watanabe Scholarship team was kind enough to recommend
educational resources to contextualize the work of the USJC and the goals of the Watanabe Scholarship.
Two key aspects of the virtual curriculum were the history of Japanese American internment in the
U.S. and the past and present accomplishments of Japanese Americans. In particular, I was grateful tolearn about the history of Japanese American internment in World War II. While I myself am JapaneseAmerican, my mother moved to the U.S. less than thirty years ago. I felt that I lacked the keenawareness of the historical discrimination against Japanese Americans that other Japanese Americans
hold. I have a strong connection to both Japanese and American culture, but my family’s experience
does not speak to the past struggles of being Japanese in America. It was very important to me toacknowledge and honor that history, such that it may never happen again. The virtual programming
for the Watanabe Scholarship not only taught me valuable history, but inspired me to act as an
advocate for the Japanese American community in both the U.S. and Japan.
Placed into the advanced Japaneseclass, I studied not only thefoundations of the Japanese
language, but discussed politics,
current events, history, and culture
with my classmates and Japanesevolunteers. Studying abroad is a
short period of time in which you
have the unique opportunity of
being a young, curious, openminded student ready to interact
fully with another culture.

24

Sena Ihara
University of Wisconsin-Madison (Exchange)“What has being a Watanabe Scholar meant to me?” The question has
lingered in my thoughts since receiving the prestigious scholarship.
Undoubtedly, the financial support and the opportunity to study at arenowned university were invaluable, but in retrospect, the Watanabe
Scholarship offered much more than mere monetary assistance. Looking
back, being a Watanabe Scholar meant embodying the qualities of a
global leader with the spirit to challenge and foster an alliance between
Japan and the US.
During my study abroad program, I had the chance to engage in a volunteer activity, supporting local
American students in learning Japanese. Initially, the activity had only 10 members, barely half of theclassroom’s capacity. The limited theme and repetitive content were the cause for the limited
participation. As a Japanese student, I was nominated as the leader of the volunteer group, and mymission was to expand the club to 20 members. At first, I felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities thatcame with managing the activity – reserving a classroom, organizing events, preparing presentations,and providing materials for each member. Faced with the challenges, I even considered resigning as
the leader within a few months. However, I had the privilege of conversing with Suzanne, thepresident of USJC in February. Our discussion centered around the true essence of leadership. As thepresident, she embodies more than just a presentation of the relationship between Japan and the US,
she also excels in supporting her teammates. Through this experience, I came to realize that a global
leader is not merely someone who leads and represents a team but also someone who supports anduplifts others. Being a Watanabe Scholar has taught me the importance of perseverance anddetermination in pursuing my goals. As a result, I successfully expanded the classroom to 20 members.
It was a gratifying experience to witness the club’s growth and diversity, knowing that I played a partin fostering an environment where student from different backgrounds could come together to learn
and bond over the Japanese language. As a Watanabe Scholar, I was able to demonstrate the qualities
of a global leader, embracing diversity and inclusivity. The club’s expansion not only enriches theexperience for its members but also demonstrated the spirit of collaboration and alliance between
Japan and the US that the scholarship embodies. The journey of transforming the volunteer activity
into a thriving club was not without challenges, but
the resilience and vision instilled in me by the US
Japan Council and Mr. Watanabe pushed me topersevere. Through this experience, I learned thetrue essence of leadership – not just as someone who
guides and directs others, but as someone who
empowers and supports them to reach their fullpotential.

25

Leona Iizuka
Brandeis University (Degree-Seeking)
I continued my studies at the College of Arts and Sciences, where I had
plenty of opportunities to nurture my curiosity and advance myunderstanding of social sciences. Coming to college, I knew my majorinterests were in business and sociology, but I did not have a solid sense ofwhat these studies were about, nor did I know what I wanted to major in.
The liberal arts curriculum allowed me to take all the subjects I wasinterested in and helped me narrow my interests.
In February 2023, I had the opportunity to meet other Watanabe scholars in Los Angeles as a part ofthe scholarship program. Being my first trip, I wasn't sure what to expect, but the program turned out
to be different than what I had initially anticipated. It provided me with ample time to reflect on mypast experiences, and I felt highly valued by the Watanabe Scholarship team. Therefore, I felt
comfortable sharing my experiences, academic endeavors, and future career goals with my peers, andother scholars seemed to be relaxed as I was. During this program, Mr. Watanabe emphasized theimportance of sharing our goals, big or small, and taking action to achieve them. Initially, I thought
my goals were too vague to share, but I realized that expressing them in words is crucial to receiving
support and making progress.
I took the most of a liberal arts education at Brandies University, and I get academically excited when
I find connections between my diverse experiences. For example, despite having no prior knowledge
or skills, I was able to work as a research assistant in a psychology lab and was treated like aprofessional. Through this opportunity, I made a valuable connection and received a referral from mysupervisor. This led to an interview with my supervisor’s friend from Harvard University, where I
eventually received an offer to work as a UX/UI designer and consultant at a startup. I always knewthat I wanted to work at a startup and was encouraged by Mr. Watanabe’s words to consult my
psychology mentor for a summer internship in the UX/UI field.
After completing two years of my undergraduate at Brandeis University, I decided to pursue further
studies at a different institution. Over the course of two years, I
experimented with different subjects and realized that expertise ineconomics is crucial to understand the impact of businesses on
people’s lives and the economy as a whole. As a result, I changed mymajor to Economics and will be continuing my education at
Vanderbilt University this fall. I am working at a Harvard Business
School-based startup this summer, focusing on social travel. I believe
my past experiences will benefit me in this job and help me achieve
my goal of starting my own business and contributing toentrepreneurship development and the economic bond between
Japan and the US. I'm excited to meet the new cohort of Watanabe
Scholars this academic year and work together to bridge Japan andthe US.
26

Namuka Ishii
University of Chicago (Degree-Seeking)I studied public policy at the University of Chicago and the Harris Schoolof Public Policy from September 2022. The University of Chicago has threesemesters. I took Statistics, Microeconomics, and Political Philosophy
classes, which all freshmen were required to register for in the fall andwinter semesters. In the statistics class, I learned the basics of data analysis
and statistical methods. In public policy, data analysis is essential forevaluating the effects and impacts of policies. In this class, I learned how to
use statistical methods and tools through exercises and case studies using
actual data. I used the statistical data to study the impact of small class sizes
on student performance. In my microeconomics class, I studied market trends and individual behavior.
Public policy requires the application of economic principles to address issues such as market failure
and inequality. In this class, I delved deeply into supply and demand, market equilibrium,
externalities, and public goods, and developed skills in applying economic thinking to policy making.
I started the fall semester in September and found myself attending an event for Watanabe scholars
in LA in February. I found this event to be a very meaningful time for me as a Watanabe scholar. Not
only did I learn about what other scholars were learning, but I was able to build a community withJapanese Americans. The most interesting parts of the event for me were the lectures by UCLA
professors and the tour of the Japanese American National Museum. This tour was a very important
experience for me as it provided a rare opportunity to gain insight into Japanese American history
and culture. The tour also gave me the opportunity to learn about the difficult historical events andhuman rights violations that Japanese Americans faced. I was particularly struck by the exhibits on
the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. These exhibits reminded me of theimportance of fairness and respect for human rights, while at the same time demonstrating thestrength and spirit of resistance of the Japanese American community. I also learned about theformation of Japanese American identity and community. Through their stories and experiences, I
was inspired to reflect on my own identity. This tour not only gave me an understanding of JapaneseAmerican history and culture, but also made me think deeply about the importance of social justiceand human rights. Through this valuable experience, I learned the importance of playing a role inpromoting empathy and understanding with others so that the mistakes of the past will not be
repeated.
I hope to be a bridge between the two countries, and I
look forward to the new semester starting thisSeptember with the dream of one day becoming thatbridge myself.

27

Sakura Ishizaki
Grinnell College (Degree-Seeking)First, I would like to convey my deepest gratitude to everyone working
for the Watanabe Scholarship for supporting my undergraduate studies
at Grinnell College since 2020. Especially during the difficult time dueto the COVID-19 pandemic, both the financial and mental support fromthe scholarship meant a lot to me and helped me thrive at Grinnell
College. With support from the scholarship, I was able to graduate from
Grinnell College on May 22, 2023 as a Biological Chemistry and Anthropology double major. I am
extremely excited to share that I graduated as the “首席” (my college called it the “Archibald Prize”)
and received multiple awards upon graduation:
I was able to focus on my academics and have the time to challenge myself through medical
anthropology research experiences and internships that are of my interest, and not worry about
working long hours to help pay the tuition. Reflecting overall on my time at Grinnell, I must admitthat my stress levels were extremely high every day. Even during these difficult times, I found myself
feeling grateful for the educational opportunities I was receiving at Grinnell. I enjoyed the challenges
I was facing as I could feel myself gaining the ability to think more deeply, critically, and from multiple
perspectives. At Grinnell, I have changed and become a life-long challenger. My final year at Grinnell
was one of the toughest yet most rewarding, fruitful times I have ever experienced in my life. My
research is entitled “ICU Patient Admission and Mechanical Ventilator Decision-Making Processes ina Japanese ICU during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Given the sensitive findings of my research
regarding some unethical medical decisions the hospital managers made, I had to undergo a fivemonth-long negotiation with the managers to receive approval to submit my findings to an academic
journal. After the long negotiation, a lot of details were cut from my original article, but we were able
to reach an agreement. I received first place for the Student Online Poster Prize at the SfAA’s
conference, and the fact that the prize brought joy to everyone who supported my research fulfilled
my heart. I am looking forward to delivering great news to everyone at the Watanabe Scholarship
who have supported my journey at Grinnell College!

28

Jonathan Jackson
Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe
University (Degree-Seeking)
Being the only American in my department can at times feel uniqueand lonely, however the close relationships I have made with thepeople I study with and also live around have amplified the joys ofstaying in Japan. Being here and studying at Kobe University, to me itshows a line of hard work and progress that began in the late 1990s in
a school in the north Georgia mountains. When I put into perspectiveof where I began then and where I am now, it really is something that
I am amazed by, proud of, and at times can’t hardly believe.
The sense of support I have been given from the Watanabe team and the feeling of community fromother scholars I have met has been extremely special to me and something that is important to cherish.
It has been a rare opportunity to be a part of this term’s scholarship recipients and it is something I
will be grateful for even once I have graduated and moved on into my working life. Just this summer
I have finalized my own 90-page master’s thesis on Japanese politics and security policy, and withthat I am set to graduate this coming September 2023. In a historical sense, visiting the city ofHiroshima was very grounding for me, as the location of the 1st atomic bombing, this is a city which
I have seen and read a lot about during my education. So, for me, seeing this location in person is a
powerful experience. For me, as many of my studies have revolved around the subject of politicalscience and international relations, especially in regard to US-East Asian relations, finishing thisgraduate degree in Japan now gives me a significant accomplishment that not only has broadened myperspectives, but I feel will also help me in my future career plans.
Not only the conference but other programs given by the Watanabe team were also very impactful
such as the 3-part virtual program we all got to attend to. This program really helped give newperspectives on the lived experiences of the past, as wellas help me learn more about the historical andcontemporary lives of Japanese Americans and theiraccomplishments as well as challenges they have facedin their communities. Being a Watanabe scholar has
meant so much more to me than just studying in Japan.
I have been given support and community, I have been
given new experiences, and I have been able toaccomplish my own personal and academic goal all
while apart of this program.

29

Kiwa Kadekaru
Lane Community College (Degree-Seeking)Looking back over the past two years, I have had many opportunities to get
to learn about other cultures; volunteering at POWWOW, a festival uniqueto the First Nation, and participating in the international events held by theschool's International Program. I participated in the POWWOW, a
traditional First Nations festival, as a volunteer and could hear directly fromFirst Nations people and see their costumes and dances, which was a very
valuable experience. At the end of the first year, I got involved in a musicalshow at school called “Songs for a New World” which became a turning point for me. I was nervous
about performing in English for the first time, but the experience made me realize that musicals weresomething I would love to pursue in my life. I enjoyed it so much that I started taking more music andacting classes. I could learn a lot of things I had wanted to study in the States, and I had theopportunity to participate in various projects, which helped me grow a lot. In particular, when I
performed in front of people, I was afraid of their reactions, but everyone was very tolerant andaccepting, and many people enjoyed my performance and cheered me on, which gave me confidence.
Also, some friends asked me to help with art and music projects, and I assisted with photography,
singing, and instruments. Thanks to these experiences, I was able to challenge myself with courage
and get over the fear. I also made my goals even clearer and what I need to do to achieve them.
Furthermore, I got some new insights by interacting with people from various cultures andbackgrounds. As I communicated in English with them, I improved not only my English skills but
also my communication skills. I learned the importance of expressing my opinions and the diversityof ways to communicate and discuss. I will cherish the beliefs that I built based on the knowledge andexperiences I gained during my study abroad period.
Being a Watanabe Scholar brought a sense of responsibility to me. When I met other scholars at the
LA Leadership Weekend, I was inspired by their diligence and unwavering dedication to their studies,and I was thrilled to be a part of it. My current goal is to study musicals more in-depth in NY. I will
be preparing well this year so that I can start school in New York next fall semester. I was strongly
impressed by Mr. Watanabe's lecture at the Leadership Weekend where he talked about the steps tomake your goals come true. My ultimate goal is to perform as an original cast member in a newmusical show on Broadway. I am strongly attracted to the world of theater, where many people are
involved in creating a production. It would be my greatest
happiness to be a part of that as a performer. I needexperience and skills for this, so my immediate goal is to
go to NY for school and audition.

30

Kanon Kii
University of West Alabama (Exchange)
There are two main things I have learned in the nearly year I spent at the
University of West Alabama. The first thing is that "the world is wider
than I thought" The days I spent in the tiny, vast land of Livingston in
Alabama made me think about this over and over again. It issurprisingly difficult to be alone in Tokyo. However, living in
Livingston is the easiest way to be in solitude. "No matter what I do,
where I go, I am on my own. That's why I have to protect myself." I have kept the feelings I had at thatmoment in my heart so that I will never forget it. I am sure that I will remember it again in the days
to come when I am lost, troubled, or in pain in my life. "Being oneself, being original" was thoroughly
encouraged. It is not about which culture is better or worse, Japan or the U.S., but simply the fact thatthey are "different" opened up a new world to me. I realized that there is no need to aim to be normal
because "normal" is gone away just by crossing the ocean, and I'm happy that I could experience thepreciousness of being me in Alabama.
I was a student of the Faculty of Arts, so I mainly took arts-related courses at UWA, but most of theclasses were project based and even in classes that had examinations, many of them were open-bookexams which is far from the so-called "exam" in Japan. In all classes, the absolute emphasis was not
on "whether or not you have memorized the knowledge completely," but on "how and what you havelearned." I told my professor the style of having a test was so different from Japan, and she said "Aslong as you are trying to learn something, it doesn't matter how you do it." That was very new to me,
and I enjoyed it. As long as we are working toward the goal, originality is allowed in the process. As
a student who is taking classes teaching-training courses, I feel that it was a wonderful experience torealize the way to bring out the best in students.
The year I spent studying at UWA has been incredibly challenging and shocking. Every day made meso sure that there is still so much more I don't know that I can't even imagine. But that is the reason I
continue learning today and tomorrow till the end. I am very much grateful for the support of the
Watanabe Scholarship from the bottom of my heart for giving me this opportunity. I will move on to
the master's course in Japan and hopefully be back in the United States in the future to build up thebeautiful bridge between
Japan and the UnitedStates, with the mates I
have met through the
Watanabe Scholarship.

31

Mone Kinjo
Dartmouth College (Exchange)
The classes at Dartmouth were incredibly fulfilling for me. In particular,
the political science courses provided numerous opportunities forengaging in discussions on a wide range of topics such as American
diplomacy, immigration policies, the role of international organizations,and AI. I also had the opportunity to learn not only from professors but
also from my fellow students' opinions and perspectives. The highproportion of class discussions allowed us to express our own views andgain deeper insights through meaningful debates. Studying at an
institution in a different country provided me with a valuableinternational perspective. The emphasis on students' autonomy and initiative in the American
education system encouraged me to deepen my own learning independently. As a result, I was able
to enhance my self-management skills and develop an independent thought process. Overall, theclasses at Dartmouth had profound significance in my life. The interactive learning throughdiscussions, the stimulating interactions with exceptional friends, and the experience of overcoming
challenging assignments not only expanded my knowledge and skills but also broadened myperspectives and fostered personal growth.
The Leadership weekend in LA was a pivotal moment for me, and I consider it to be of great
importance. As a recipient of the scholarship, I had the opportunity to interact with fellow scholars
who came from diverse backgrounds in terms of age and academic disciplines. Furthermore, thanks
to the introduction by the US-Japan Council, I was able to connect with past scholarship recipients.
This opportunity allowed me to forge meaningful connections with individuals who I believe will be
invaluable assets in the future. The interactions and encounters I had during this time have enriched
my life and expanded my network.
My life has undergone significant changes through the experience of studying abroad. Interactingwith individuals from diverse backgrounds, shaped by different cultures and languages, increased
my opportunities to engage with others who had unique perspectives. This expanded my worldview
and taught me the importance of respecting others' viewpoints and opinions. Moreover, my interestin working overseas grew significantly during mystudy abroad period, leading me to pursue a careerin the field of finance in Singapore after graduation.

32

Miho Kurashima
University of North Carolina Wilmington (Degree-Seeking)I could finish the Bachelor of Arts program at the University of North
Carolina Wilmington and obtain practical skills for filmmaking aswell as a vast network of connections, academically and professionally.
As part of the filmmaking classwork, I was assigned as a producer andcould work in big team environments, learning how to manage andcommunicate with people who have different cultures andbackgrounds to make the film successful. Organizing film locations and production proceduresamidst tight schedules and multiple meetings with team members revealed my strengths andweaknesses as a team player. I learned how to contribute to the team project using my strengths andhow I can support the team members when they face challenging situations in their positions. Because
each member also has strengths and weaknesses, we all assisted each other and strived hard to makethe film the best project.
Since I decided to study abroad in the United States to learn filmmaking when I was 14 years old, I
faced many challenges in pursuing my dream. However, having strong support from the Watanabe
Scholarship gave me the confidence to pursue my dream, and meeting Mr. Watanabe, young
professionals, and the other Watanabe Scholars in person in Los Angeles at the Watanabe Scholars
Leadership Weekend and connecting with many people through the U.S.-Japan Council, I realized I
am not alone and there are always possibilities if I never give up and never stop looking foropportunities. The opportunities I learned about the history of Japanese Americans taught me theimportance of passing on history, staying connected, and working together to make the world a better
place. I was especially moved by the lecture from Mr. Maki Michell at the Go for Broke National
Education Center because I noticed there are many stories we must pass on to future generations tomake a better society. Japanese Americans’ powerful and respectful life stories made me think of how
I can contribute to the stronger U.S.- Japan relationship and certainly empowered me to keep moving
forward to become a forefront media creator. As my mission as a filmmaker, I would like to produce
a film about Japanese Americans to inform people of their histories, memories, and experiences andencourage the stability and trusting relationship between U.S. and Japan by using media technologies.

33

Brad Leathers
Kansai Gaidai University (Exchange)
The chance to study abroad study has meant giving me the chance to
put into practice the things that I have learned through the everyday
interactions I have had with not only Japanese students, and professors,
but also with so many local people at bars, restaurants, and tourist
attractions. One class I took in the Spring semester was Modern
Japanese History taught in Japanese. We read many excerpts from
historical primary sources, such as diaries, journals, andautobiographies, all in Japanese. Through this class, I was able to learn a lot about not only history but
also see historical events through the eyes of people at those times, as well as the language they used,since older Japanese documents are written using a quite different writing style and words. This wasimmensely beneficial for my understanding of Japanese language and history. Personally, thisexperience has given me the chance to meet so many new friends from not only all over Japan but also
all over the world. Having the opportunity to learn about a wide range of cultures and languages has
always been one of my goals in my life and the friendships I created here are invaluable to me. At the
beginning of this study abroad experience, I had trouble meeting new people and making friends.
It wasn’t until after my second semester started when I was a bit more used to speaking Japanese andI had slowly become more capable of approaching people on campus to speak that I was finally able
to make more friends. I finally found a group of like-minded international friends who were all very
talented as second (and third) language Japanese learners. Being surrounded by people who shared
my goals and values made my semester much better.
As far as longer-term goals, once I am able to return to Japan and work a bit, I would love to be able
to attend graduate school in Japan once I improve my Japanese skills past an N1 level. My study
abroad experience has truly shown me that I am capable of using my language skills in real-world
and academic applications. My time here has inspired me to see how far I can take my language skills
and what I can make of them in my career.

34

Sae Morozumi
University of California, Los Angeles (Degree-Seeking)This year was my first year of studying at UCLA, the school which wasalways my dream school. I started dreaming about studying at UCLA
when I was 15 years old, and this was necessary for me to pursue mydream to work as a person with a devised and global perspective.
While studying abroad at UCLA, I had a few times to attend job fairs forJapanese international students. I communicated with some of thecompanies and realized that I might want to go back to Japan after graduating university. I came up
with this not because I wanted to leave the United States but because I thought I could commit myknowledge and skills I gained in the United States to the Japanese future and economics.
One thing that I was worried about studying at a 2 university was taking lectures in a larger class. I
did not have confidence that I would be able to follow up everything that professors say in the lectures;
however the teaching assistants are always there to help me understand the important materials fromthe lectures. In my personal opinion, international students could easily get overwhelmed by thestudying materials at school. The more academic school they attend, the more passion they need to
manage their social life and the study at school. However, if the student seeks help, there are
numerous options they can get help from. When I decided to apply for the Watanabe Scholarship, I
was uncertain about my chances of success due to my previous experiences studying abroad. I
worried that these experiences might be viewed as a disadvantage, as the scholarship aimed tosupport students who have not had many opportunities to travel or study overseas. However, I soon
realized that my diverse experiences were an asset rather than a hindrance. The Watanabe Scholarshipnot only provides financial support but also focuses on leadership development and community
engagement. It seeks students who have the potential to become future leaders and change-makers intheir respective fields. This aspect of the scholarship gave me hope, as I strongly believed that myexperiences abroad had transformed me into a more open-minded, adaptable, and culturally aware
individual.

35

Yurika Nakagawa
Smith College (Degree-Seeking)
Unlike my first year spent seeking comfort in an unfamiliar place, I spent
my sophomore year at Smith College diving into whatever healthy
uncomfortableness my curiosity had led to. As a result, not only has mynext steps as a student become clear, valuable skills and friends werediscovered. I study computer science and philosophy as I am interested
in exploring the intersection of the two, namely the ethical handling of
big data and the ethics of AI. I worked on a big project and developed a web application with myteam. Since the project was to recreate a development environment as in an actual company setting,
we had to figure out the goal ourselves, referring back and forth between incomplete pre-written
codes and documentation. The project was an intense but worthwhile experience. It taught me what
it takes to be a competent software engineer and how non-coding skills, such as metacognition andteamwork, too are critical to successful development. After completing this course, fascinated by thecollaborative engineering process, I decided to join a lab to be a part of a larger-scale softwaredevelopment next semester. The philosophy course covered existing ethical concerns regarding
politics, the environment, technological advancements, and more. While we never reached aunanimous conclusion, the endless exchange of thoughts with my classmates offered me
opportunities to reexamine issues in a different light. Analyzing social issues at Smith College, wherefeminism is prominent, was uniquely valuable as students often question the well-accepted social
norms that I have never thought to examine, revealing my unconscious bias. Tackling my own bias is
the lifetime goal that led me here.
An intro drawing class is one of the courses I took to surround myself with an unfamiliar crowd. While
I initially hesitated to register for the course for lacking artistic experience, it turned out to be one of
the best decisions I made at Smith. By the end of the semester, I not only developed my aesthetic senseand drawing skills but became close with artistic people who excel in self-expression. What is more,
the knowledge of identifying light sources and turning a 3D scene into a 2D image I learned in this art
course later intertwined with the topics discussed in my computer graphics course. Outside theclassroom, I am heavily involved in my house community as a House Community Advisor (HCA).
My role as an HCA is to ensure they are welcomed by and benefit from their house community.
"Prioritize what you can only do at that given moment." This issomething I always keep in mind to enrich my college life.
Interacting with other Watanabe Scholars on the Leadership Weekend
was empowering. As I did not know any Japanese student who goes toschool in the U.S., I was genuinely glad to have the opportunity to shareand relate to some study abroad experience from a Japaneseperspective. Despite the difference in our academic interests,
conversations with peer scholars and U.S.-Japan Council members who
decided to see the world outside their home country to pursue their
dreams inspired me to continue following mine.
36

Ayano Nakamura
Bates College (Degree-Seeking)Looking back at my four years at Bates, I have matured significantly.
Some goals stay the same, but my approach to my dreams have alsochanged. I have found my true passion, purpose, and fostered a greater
understanding of the world and about myself. To achieve this goal, in
my first year, I tried out various subjects and topics. I tried studies suchas Environmental Studies, International Politics, Economics, Chinese,and Sociology. Because I had a dream to become a diplomat, I knew I
needed to study many fields, but mainly Politics. However, I caught
myself being intrigued in the study of Sociology and Chinese the most, and ended up declaring themas my fields of study. People often told me, “Once you enter college, you will realize what you like,and you will most likely change your mind, and that is OK.” I guess this was true for my case too. In
Sociology, I loved to understand societal norms and to try to come up with theories and ideas on why
these norms exist. On the other hand, learning Chinese allowed me to explore their culture, especially
their culinary culture as my professor often hosted Chinese dinners. By the end of my first year, I
found myself loving things I never knew existed prior to college. The second year was devastating for
all of us, with COVID-19 full in bloom, we all had to change our lifestyle drastically. Thankfully, myschool allowed students to be back on campus, but I remember there were long periods of lockdowns
and intense self-reflection. During this time, I had the privilege and the time to ask myself, “Whatmakes me truly happy?” and in my mind, I would always go back to the memory of my Chinese class,especially the dinners we had. I reminisced about the fun conversations and the feeling of being
together and sharing delicious meals. It was eye-opening to learn about food and its own unique
history and relationship with their people. I recognized the undeniable power of food in creatingstrong relationships between people, even with different cultures, backgrounds, or values. In my final
year at Bates College, I fully understood the positive impact food has had on my personal growth andrelationships with others. I dream to create food and beverage brands that deeply move both Japaneseand American consumers. But my dream goes beyond products—I envision creating sensational USJapan culinary exchange events that attract thousands of people, united by the universal language,
food. The bond between Japan and the United States has greatly influenced my life, as it sparked
curiosity among Americans whenever I moved to the States and sparked similar interest among
Japanese when I returned. I always had a huge
appreciation and respect toward the pioneers who
influenced my life in such great ways. Naturally I
developed my own desire to become the bridge
between the two countries. Throughout the four years,
my goals have never changed, but the approach toachieving my goal has altered. Now, I can confidently
say what my purpose in life is; to strengthen the USJapan relationship through the power of food.

37

Hitomi Nishioka
Georgia State University (Exchange)
Studying abroad in Atlanta has given me the time to feel perplexed about
who I am and look for and identify my identity and who I want to be.
Because of the U.S. background and social environment, I became lost andhad a difficult time figuring out my life’s definition and how to describe
myself. The biggest turning point to think back on my identity was thediscussions in the classes. I had taken classes on various topics, such associology, sexuality, ethics, and maternal health, and despite these kinds of different subjects, many
class discussions ended up becoming heated regarding how differently black and white people havebeen treated in society. I think the history of black discrimination is deeply rooted in people’s minds,
especially in the southern part of the U.S., where I studied. However, at the same time, these
discussions made me think of “where I am.” I am neither a black person nor a white person. Indeed,some of these discussions focused on “Asians” partly because I brought up the category of “Asian” tothe table.
I remembered one of the class activities where my professor asked us to write down the words “I am”
ten times and then add something after that. In my case, I wrote down “I am Japanese,” “I am awoman,” “I am 21” and so on. Some classmates added adjectives to describe their own abilities orcharacteristics, such as “I am confident.” I realized that I had adjectives only to describe what I belong
to rather than who I am not only because I did not have the confidence to express myself with such
positive words but also because I had never thought about who I was in Japan. From these experiences,
I found that the reason why I felt like I was losing my identity was all of my identity was composedof what category I was classified as, such as Japanese, a woman, and non-religious. It was considerably
annoying to me that I had no confidence and way to express myself with adjectives to describe myabilities and characteristics. I sought as many opportunities as possible regarding my passion, whichis to ensure children’s authority, especially in hospital settings, and develop children’s hospices inJapan. I did volunteer work at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Give Kids the World.
Volunteering during spring break at Give Kids the World, an amusement park for terminally ill
children, was life-changing for me.
I was not skillful in English, so it was hard for me to speak out in classes andhave good conversations with people. To overcome this, I first started bysharing my opinions in small-sized classes and within team activities. By
repeating trial and error, both my professors and teammates came to respect
my Japanese perspectives. I gained more confidence to speak out andbecame aware of the fact that everyone could appreciate my sincere opinions
regardless of my English skills, winning president’s lists and a leadershipaward. These experiences created my confidence, like the pieces of a puzzle,
and got to know myself. After my life-changing year in the U.S., I am very
proud of my decision and my courage to challenge studying abroad. Also, being a Watanabe scholar
and a part of the U.S.-Japan Council community made this precious experience more meaningful.
38

Tamane Takehara
Temple University Japan (Exchange)
If I were to describe the Watanabe Scholarship in one word it would be“life-changing”. If it were not for the Watanabe Scholarship, I would not
be able to pursue and discover my true passions in Contemporary
Japanese Art, make meaningful connections with the current and future
generations of international leaders, and become immersed in my homecountry’s current culture, society, and politics. During my attendance at
Temple University Japan which was possible with the support of the
Watanabe Foundation, I have been able to participate in multiple
extracurricular activities which have allowed me more personal,
academic, and professional insight into my future goals.
Though I think I have grown immensely within the academic and professional sector ‒ I have also
grown personally as well. Being more connected in my culture and becoming more immersed in those
who have similar experiences and interests as I have has immensely improved my mental health, andI have been able to better balance my personal interests as an artist, and my professional interests in
art history. I was not afforded much of this mental stability before being accepted by the Watanabe
Scholarship, as I often felt disconnected from my peers and models, and had a hard time balancing
work-life spheres because I did not have adequate funding for housing, tuition, and exploring
extracurricular opportunities. With this scholarship, I felt like I had released the tension I was
clenching inside my heart, finally able to breathe. For the first time in my adulthood, I was able toconcentrate on my happiness, my needs, and my passions, while being provided the incredible bonusof forming lasting relationships and experiences along the way.
The program overall was wonderful and awe-inspiring‒ with the virtual program preparing us for
the Annual Conference and a meeting with Mr. Watanabe. The program is supported by incredibly
talented and ambitious staff members such as Ms. Grace Kim and Ms. Kana Takagi, and of course theinspiring Mr. Toshizo (Tom) Watanabe, and I am eternally grateful to their efforts in skillfully
navigating the COVID era world, and shaping our life-changing experiences in Japan. I am also gladto say I have made some friends along the way. For future scholars and students who wish to study
abroad, I also urge them to allow themselves to find their own professional and personal passions. I
also feel as if a semester was not enough, and I had wished I had looked into study abroad programs
earlier into my academic career, as it changed the trajectory of my life.

39Gabriella Tamayo
Kansai Gaidai University (Exchange)
After studying abroad in Japan for the Fall 2022 semester, I was able totruly get out of my comfort zone for the first time by travelinginternationally. Personally, I have always wanted to travel, so this was
something that I have been looking forward to since high school. I knewthat once starting college, studying abroad through my school would be
the most financially feasible and best way to travel internationally.
Since my freshman year of college, I started planning on what I would need to do and the generalprocess of studying abroad. And with the incredibly generous help from the US-Japan Council
Watanabe scholarship, I was able to embark on this new chapter in my life, comfortably. In Japan, thelanguage barrier is very evident but not impossible to overcome. The more I learned in Japanese class,the easier it became to communicate, in the small ways I could, and read signs and such. But to getfrom point A to point B, there were many instances involving asking for help. I very quickly learned
that I could not be shy and have to be assertive in most situations. Even at the level of going to arestaurant- typically one would wait for their server to check up on them to ask for anything whereas
in Japan you must grab their attention and go out of your way to ask for help. And the help received
is like none other I have ever experienced. Every Japanese person I have asked for help has gone aboveand beyond in order to help me and my friends. I can honestly spend the rest of this writing about
how kind the people are and how willing they are to help, but it also bleeds into the idea of grouporientation.
Before I knew it I had three, two, and one week left before I had to fly home. I tried to cram everything
I did not get to do but still could not get to a lot of it. It was upsetting at first, but I want to look at it
as a reason to go back with a plan of action. So I am looking forward to returning to Japan for sometime and experiencing the things I did not have the time for with more ease than when I first arrived.
I suggest that future scholars, while also focusing on their school work, carve time out and do things.
Join a group of other international students and get out there. I joined another, more active, grouplater on in the semester and had the most fun on some wild adventures. I never thought I would gorafting on some Japanese rapids, but there I was! Overall, this experience feels like it has been mygateway to many more. I look forward to exploring more of the world and continuing to learn more
about Japanese culture and language. I hope that this is just the beginning of many more adventures!

40

Zen Tamura
Brown University (Exchange)
My year abroad at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island haschanged my perspective on future directions. I discovered that I likemathematics. Fall semester was a mix of successes and failures. I took
Computational Molecular Biology, a statistics class, and a theoreticalcomputer science class (Theory of Computation). On the one hand, I
discovered that I liked the theoretical aspects of computer science, whichcame as a surprise. Theory of Computation was about mathematicalmodels of computation, the limits of classical computation, andcomputational complexity theory. At first, it felt like a hard class. Withmy limited mathematical background, I found the homeworkassignments to be hard. I felt inadequate compared to my peers who seemed to be understanding
everything. As the semester progressed, however, I started to realize that I liked the material. I
couldn’t wait for Theory of Computation every week. I loved working on the homework problems
even though they took a while for me to work through. By the end of the semester, it was by far myfavorite class. For spring semester, I decided to register for four mathematics classes (Linear Algebrawith Theory, Introduction to Real Analysis, Graph Theory, and Abstract Algebra) and audit aphilosophy class (Set Theory).
There was also great energy in all of my mathematics classes. All of my math professors seemed
excited about the material they were teaching and there was always a dialogue between the professors
and the students in my math classes. Without knowing anything about pure mathematics, I decided
to take a leap of faith and register for four mathematics classes. I learned how to write clear andrigorous mathematical proofs. I learned the broad foundations of modern mathematics: analysis,
algebra, and some topology. I found mathematics to be more about fascinating ideas than cold hard
equations. My set theory class taught me that mathematics is very much a human enterprise. I learned
that I enjoy thinking about mathematics. I was excited every day to go to class and to work on myhomework. By the end of the semester, I was hooked. After taking computational biology andtheoretical computer science classes during Fall Semester, it became clear to me that mathematics was
the foundation of computer science and computational biology. I believed that a strong foundation inpure mathematics would be a much more powerful asset than simply knowing the latest algorithms
used in computational biology. I am very grateful for this opportunity to study abroad. It would havebeen impossible to study computer science and mathematics in a structured, rigorous manner without
this year. It is likely that I would have never discovered
mathematics. I am not sure if I will pursue mathematics or if I will
pursue the life sciences, but this year has provided a lot of clarity
on my future directions.
I personally do not like taking risks, but this year, I decided I would
take more risks. If I had been risk averse, I would have probably
never discovered mathematics.
41

Aeris Thompson
International Christian University (Degree-Seeking)For eight years I have dreamed of studying in Japan. I researchedcountless ways to make it to Japan and spent hours poring overYouTube videos living vicariously through exchange students living
there. I was willing to give anything to make it there, but numerous
attempts always fell through, whether it be for monetary reasons or
issues with unfortunate timing. After years of study, I was accepted into
International Christian University’s undergraduate program as aregular student. This was far better than any summer abroad or evenyear abroad that I had originally envisioned. I was now going to be living in Japan for four years.
Unfortunately, due to ICU being a Japanese university, a lot of the scholarships and financial aid I had
prepared weren’t available anymore as they were intended for American universities only. This iswhen I discovered the Watanabe Scholarship, which graciously funded my freshman year of
university. I am currently working towards actualizing my dream of becoming a professionaltranslator, so I wanted to lay the groundwork for that in my freshman year.
To continue, I will talk about my experience at the Watanabe Annual Conference, and how it caused
a monumental shift in my study experience. During the conference, I attended the TOMODACHI Next
Generation Summit, where I listened to a discussion by numerous speakers. I remember one speaker,
in particular, introduced the work they do covering single mothers in Japan, and if I recall correctly,
they said about 50% of single mothers are in poverty. This reminded me of my own mother, and how
she has been working hard her entire life to support us, pursuing degree after degree so she can havea flexible skillset. That’s why this in particular was impactful for me as I was raised by a single mother,and I admired the work the speaker was doing to improve the situation here in Japan. Of the numerous
speakers I met, I was also very inspired by the Black American TOMODACHI alumni who lived andworked in Japan. I often don’t see people who look like me or face similar struggles as me studying
abroad in Asian countries, so it was extremely inspiring to know that I wasn’t alone and that I could
be successful here. I was also able to connect more with them after the panel, and hearing about theirexperiences motivated me.
Overall, this year, I have achieved many of my goals and developed newones along the way as I faced challenges and dealt with grief throughout
my year. I cannot thank Mr. Watanabe, and the U.S.-Japan Council enoughfor this opportunity, I’m extremely honored to be a Watanabe scholar.
Thanks to this scholarship, I was able to give my mother the peace of mind
that I would be able to study abroad.

42

Hideki Tomita
Stanford University (Degree-Seeking)As I reflect on my international study abroad year as a Watanabe scholar,
I am filled with gratitude for the transformative experiences, personal
growth, and academic achievements that have shaped my time in the
United States.
Throughout my study abroad experience, I have been immersed in acustomizable curriculum, experienced a significant career impact,
fostered meaningful connections within a vibrant community, andgained access to a vast network of accomplished alumni. Academically,
studying abroad has provided me with a diverse and customizable curriculum, allowing me to tailor
my education to align with my personal objectives and interests. The opportunity to explore
accelerated core business courses and customize over 50% of my curriculum with electives has
broadened my skill set and nurtured an entrepreneurial mindset.
The study abroad experience has had a profound impact on my career aspirations. Whether aiming toadvance in my current career, launch a new venture, or explore a career change, the program has
equipped me with the necessary resources, skills, and mindset to achieve my goals. The emphasis ontransformative learning, skill development, and entrepreneurial thinking has empowered me tonavigate dynamic and competitive professional landscapes. The exposure to a diverse network ofaccomplished professionals, both within the program and through the extensive alumni network, hasprovided me with valuable connections and mentorship opportunities to further enhance my careerprospects.
As I conclude my international study abroad year as a Watanabe scholar, I am grateful for theincredible experiences, personal growth, and academic achievements that have shaped my journey. I
carry with me a newfound confidence, a global perspective, and a lifelong commitment to continuous
learning and growth. The study abroad experience has transformed me in ways beyond measure, andI am excited to embrace the next chapter of my academic and career journey with the knowledge andexperiences gained through this remarkable opportunity.

43

Kobby Tran
Waseda University (Exchange)
The opportunity to be able to study abroad has presented me with amultitude of new thoughts and opportunities for what I would like toaccomplish in the future, and a massive portion of these new thoughts
being born was through the opportunity to attend the US Japan Council
Annual Conference held in October 2022.
Being given the chance to study abroad has so many meanings attached
to my particular life path, as it has allowed me the perspective to continue working with international
business between America and Japan. On a personal level, prior to studying abroad, my thoughts on
the future beyond university life were very bleak and nihilistic, often holding thoughts of fear andanxiety for what my future could potentially entail.
As magnificently overwhelming as the sights were of Tokyo, I had no idea what I was doing, so I had
to rely on my shaky Japanese skills and ask the train station employees on how to get to my destination.
My hardest time in Japan were the first few days where I had no connections with anyone and I wastruly alone, but since those initial four days, I have not looked back. I have made so many friends
throughout my time in Japan, and especially in the Watanabe Scholarship Program, since I still keepin contact with a few students after the scholarship event. After those isolated days, and after exchange
in Japan, I have come to realize that mentally, I am strong, I can continue pursuing the life I want to
live, but I need to have human connections to push me past that point of fear. I never could haveexpected what experiences I would have throughout my exchange in Japan, but even so, I would notalter any of the exchanges I have had throughout my year long adventure. To add on to this feeling ofself-awakening, despite having so many thoughts about heritage betrayal pre-departure, it turns outthat I had made many friends from Vietnam who were able to teach me aspects of their own culture,
so not only did I learn so much about Japanese culture, I was able to enrich my knowledge of my own
culture. Unfortunately, this chapter of my life is soon to come to a close, and as much as I would liketo stay in Japan, I have mentally accepted that my life will continue back in America once thisexchange is over. I am excited to see my loved one’s once again, and I am excited to share so many
details of my own adventures so that they are able to experience even a glimpse of my own
experiences. Once I return home, I will continue with my education and continue to learn about Asian
American culture with a newfound appreciation of Asian culture as a whole, while dreaming about
the day I can return back to Japan once again.

44

Ryoga Umezawa
Minerva University (Degree-Seeking)
Studying at Minerva was an opportunity that reshaped my perspectives
both personally and academically. As a student in brand management,
I was able to delve deeply into the subject matter while being constantly
surrounded by an international context.
The diverse student body and our collective journey through multiple
global cities gave me a new perspective on how brand perception andmanagement are influenced by cross-cultural nuances. During Manifest, my final graduation semester
in San Francisco, I not only had the opportunity to share my Capstone project but also engaged inunique, experience-based learning via a series of design sprints and workshops.
Furthermore, we participated in a design sprint aimed at the reformation of Minerva's Integrated
Learning Course, a significant aspect of Minerva's curriculum. This was an enriching opportunity for
us to contribute to the future learning journey of Minerva students. Manifest also allowed for robust
professional development. One such activity was a session on enhancing conversational skills in thecontext of networking and negotiating, essential for navigating the professional world. In addition,
we had the chance to network with Minerva partners, an invaluable experience to connect and engage
with professionals in various fields. Besides, I led a class session on my Capstone project, an endeavorthat not only tested but solidified my understanding and capabilities in brand management. The
experience was intense, insightful, and deeply rewarding. My Capstone project addressed the dearthof support for non-international high school students in Japan interested in studying abroad. I
designed an online community where these students could find a safe and supportive environment
during the exploratory phase of their applications. This project taught me invaluable lessons about
the design thinking process, online community management, and the importance of continuous
assessment. In parallel to my studies, I developed a personal social media brand to guide Japanesehigh school students interested in studying abroad. My channels became a significant resource forover 10,000 students and facilitated numerous partnerships and collaborations. The intersection of myacademic and personal projects gave me a unique understanding of the power of social media in
educational settings. Upon graduation, I am excited to expand on these projects and continue myentrepreneurial journey. By combining the insights from my Capstone project and the reach of mysocial media platforms, I aim to build a comprehensive platform for Japanese students considering
studying abroad.
Being a Watanabe scholar meant access to world-class U.S.
education, exposure to global cultures, and an
unforgettable personal journey. It meant breaking barriers,
overcoming challenges, and evolving into a global citizen
capable of effecting change. It has been an honor to be a
Watanabe Scholar at Minerva, and I am excited to leverage
my learning to contribute positively to society.
45

Takuto Yoshida
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Degree-Seeking)Embarking on this transformative journey as a Watanabe Scholar, I
found myself amidst a vibrant academic milieu, pushing my boundaries
and honing my professional capabilities. A pivotal aspect of this journey
was my enrollment in the Master of Public Health program at theesteemed Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Navigating
through the rigorous curriculum, I acquired a plethora of skills,
particularly in data analysis, which significantly augmented myanalytical abilities. The journey was challenging, but rewarding, as I
successfully earned my Master of Public Health degree. This accomplishment was not just an addition
to my academic credentials but a testament to my determination and ability to overcome challenges.
In the course of the program, I delved into a multitude of domains such as causal inference, clinicalprediction modeling, machine learning, deep learning, and programming. Additionally, I developed
expertise in longitudinal analysis and meta-analysis. This diverse range of skills has equipped me formore nuanced problem-solving and critical decision-making, preparing me for my future aspirations
in a comprehensive manner. Undoubtedly, one of the most significant achievements was passing the
USMLE Step3, marking the culmination of a decade-long journey towards obtaining a U.S. medical
license. The pursuit was challenging, especially as I had to travel to the U.S. to take the final step.
However, it instilled in me a new-found confidence, providing to myself and my family that I canindeed achieve my goals through hard work and perseverance.
This transformative journey has not only bolstered my academic capabilities but has also instilled inme a deeper sense of gratitude and resilience. The time spent learning data analysis amidst thedemanding schedule of surgical practice was taxing, but it has significantly impacted my academic
pursuits. It fostered a stronger commitment to evidence-based practices as a surgeon, while also
opening avenues for my involvement in surgical AI research – a long-cherished dream. Preparation isparamount for making the most of your study abroad experience. For working adults intending tostudy abroad, I would suggest beginning the groundwork for your projects even before you leave.
Time abroad is fleeting, and the best way to capitalize on it is by being well-prepared. Being a
Watanabe scholar has been an experience like no other. Living outside of Japan for the first time, thejourney was arduous. However, thehardships induced a sense of urgency thatpushed me to challenge my boundaries. I
am profoundly grateful for this lifealtering experience that has been
instrumentalinmoldingme,
professionally and personally.

46

Photo Collage

47

48

49