Degree Student
Recipient: Obuchi Student Scholarship, supported in part by the Okinawa Prefectural Government.
Sayaka had always lived in Okinawa until she had the opportunity to study in Honolulu with support from the East-West Center, where she has been active in student activities, including chairing EWC’s International Graduate Student Conference. As an undergraduate she worked as an assistant language program coordinator at a non-profit organization in Okinawa.
Place of origin: Okinawa Current residence: EWC
Education:
B.S., Tourism Science, University of the Ryukyus
Masters, Urban and Regional Planning, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Ph.D. Student, Geography, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Languages:
Japanese, English
Reflections:
“I was attracted to EWC by its various educational programs and research opportunities, and felt that the diverse community as well as other Okinawan students who had been studying at EWC provided strong support. Having friends from different backgrounds has been the most meaningful part of my experience at the Center. I feel my interests have expanded a lot more than I expected.”