My introduction to Japan was a course I took second semester freshman year simply entitled “Tokyo.” This course, taught by Professor Ted Bestor, was a broad overview of Tokyo with a bit of Japanese culture and history thrown in. I walked away from it feeling confident that I knew at least the basics of what life is like in Japan and assured at least in my knowledge of the various districts of Tokyo and the names of a few figures from Japanese history. Now, with my time as a Kawamura Fellow nearly over, I realize that my Tokyo course was merely the foreword to my true introduction to Japan that was this fellowship.

I applied to this fellowship without a full understanding of what the program entailed and what I had gotten myself into. Yet, as I was introduced first to my wonderful traveling companions this summer and then to the entire Kawamura Fellowship family at the annual banquet, any fears I had were assuaged as I was astonished to see such an active and engaging group of alumni and supporters. With so many wonderful people involved, I felt a great deal of confidence heading into what I knew would be a remarkable summer.

This fellowship is quite unique in its inception, its goals, its results, and even in its manner. Over the last 19 years much in the world has changed, yet the fellowship has continued. Now, as my time draws to a close, I know just how much of an in-depth view of Japan this program provides—one that could never be recreated by simply traveling. The Fellowship provides more guidance than would a travel fellowship and through its coordination allows the fellows to really meet the Japanese people in engaging discussions with individuals from a number of businesses, governments, schools, and more. Yet, more importantly it facilitates personal relationships and a more-complete cultural understanding (with all the fun of committing cultural faux-pas) in host-family stays and through continued contact with the amazing support group built around the fellowship.