Citizenship: United States and Japan

I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan until I was seven. Since moving to New Jersey in third grade, I have called both places home. I adapted to school life in the US and spent my summer breaks in Tokyo. My background and travels throughout my life developed my interest in international affairs and cultural identity from a young age. I graduated from Rutgers University in 2024, where I studied Political Science and International and Global Studies. My coursework and internship experiences motivated me to learn more about global inequality and sustainable development. At Columbia, I plan to focus on the structural flaws of the international aid system and development programs, particularly the need to prioritize communication with communities that are most impacted. I aspire to work at an international development organization such as USAID or the UNDP to contribute to designing these programs and making an impact on the sector.