Planning Our Next Steps & Reflecting Presently

Today was a day full of expectations and nerves over having to present our Action Plans

to many supporters of the Tomodachi Inouye Scholars Program and showcase that this program is a reciprocal one. We had started working on our Action Plan the day before we were supposed to present so we could utilize the time that was allotted for the workshop to focus more on finishing touches and practicing the presentation full out.

At our Reporting Session Closing Ceremony!

I was a part of the group that would be describing the zine and how we would be able to distribute and let the Loyola Marymount University campus know our experience for the days that we’ve been here and the impact it has had on us. It’s quite a difficult job, especially since we have the privilege of being able to experience Japan firsthand. However, I believe that this zine will inspire many people who read it to wonder & to

learn more, as well as the desire to one day venture to Japan and learn as we did as well.

After our presentation, we were immediately prepped to meet the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, ERI Arfiya. We listened to her speak about her experience as a parliamentary member and her specific views on issues that she wished to work on. She was very charismatic and captivating as she spoke. She was genuinely interested in our experience in Japan, as well as passionate about her role as a House Representative and the impact that she can have on the country.

Hearing her talk about how she wishes to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as how she wants everyone in Japan to be represented through their House Representative really made me think about American Politics: Do I truly connect with my representative? Do I feel their re-election would be beneficial to my views and beliefs?

Overall, listening to the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs speak and reporting our Action Plan made me more conscious of my bigger role in the TOMODACHI Scholars Program and made me desire for others to experience what I have experienced through this life changing experience.