The Japan Study Student Association at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs organized a visit to Japan in March to allow some of its members to learn more about the country’s government, people, culture, and food.
“The Japan trip was a phenomenal opportunity not only from a career development perspective but also from a personal development perspective,” JASSA Representative Daniel Alvarez said in an article posted on SIPA’s website.
“Speaking with top politicians, participating in cultural ceremonies, learning about critical events in Japan’s history, experiencing the excellent cuisine, and enjoying the nightlife with new friends made for a very well-rounded trip and once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Alvarez added.
For SIPA students who want to join future Japan trips, Alvarez encouraged fellow members to attend upcoming JASSA events so they can express their interest to the organizers. The trip was just one of many events of SIPA to bolster U.S.-Japan cooperation.
In June 2023, SIPA Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo visited the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy, a fellow member of the Global Public Policy Network, where she held pivotal discussions to enhance cross-cultural exchange.
In interviews with local media, including Nikkei Asia and TV Tokyo, Yarhi-Milo highlighted SIPA’s commitment to integrating Japanese perspectives within its academic community.
“We want our students and our faculty to be involved and engaged with Japan,” said Yarhi-Milo as she recognized the country’s significant economic and strategic influence in East Asia.
