From March 17 to 23, ten students of the tenth cohort of the TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program participated in the East Coast training program held in Washington, DC and New York.
The first half of the training was held in Washington, DC, where the students participated in a session with Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Washington, DC office staff and visited the White House and museums. The Washington, DC portion concluded with a dinner reception attended by USJC Board Co-Chair Susan Morita (Arnold & Porter), DC Regional Vice Chair Margaret Cummisky (Hawaiian Airlines, JALD ’04), USJC Associate Kekoa Erber (Naval Sea Systems Command, 2017 TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference IV) and USJC Program Manager Izumi Swarts.
For the second half of the program, the participants traveled to New York, where they participated in a workshop at Columbia University and had an opportunity to think about the Japanese and American economies and their own career paths. They also had the opportunity to visit the Sumitomo Corporation of Americas New York office and engage with executives. The participants also reflected on their study abroad experience and gave presentations. The New York portion ended with a dinner attended by USJC Executive Vice President Fred Katayama (JALD ‘23).
“I loved seeing how despite the differences in each person’s identity and strengths, they seemed to come together through their shared commitment to do good and make a positive impact on society,” participant Shiho Igarashi said.
“The message that left the strongest impression on me throughout the tour was, ‘Take actions; your future is determined by your actions,’” another participant Miu Iwaisako reflected. “I am grateful for the environment in which I can study in the United States again, and I want to maximize this opportunity.”