Back to School: Settling Down and Researching Up

こんにちわ/Konnichiwa and warm greetings, dear mentors, friends, and family. I am excited to update you all on what has been a lovely and action filled end to the Summer and start of Autumn. September marked the official commencement of my academic portion of this journey. This month I have been laying the foundation for the relationships and endeavors that will shape not only my time at the University, but likely my career beyond. Among the many highlights, I had the privilege of meeting some of our 先輩 /Senpai or the second year Peace Fellow Masters students (you can check out their bios below our class here), moving into my apartment (my new landlord is even involved in Peace and humanitarian work in Ghana!), taking advantage of the incredible opportunities of the academic and political hub of Tokyo by attending various humanitarian and security related conferences where I even had the pleasure of meeting an exceptional woman who works as a Conflict Delegate for ICRC—a role closely aligned with my current career aspirations, and enjoying a bit of cooler weather (東京の天気は暑いです。The weather in Tokyo has been very hot!).

Class of 22 Fellows at Rotary Introduction Ceremony with Program Director and Coordinator

The thing I have cherished most about this past month has been the opportunity to spend time and build relationships with wonderful people in my Rotary Family, Peace Fellows and other students, mentors, and even my family back home (my grandmother celebrated her 90th birthday, and I was able to participate virtually). I am so thankful for this opportunity, and doing everything I can to make my work here a worthwhile contribution.

Rotary Introduction and Academic Commencement

The month began with our formal introduction to the Rotary districts of the Tokyo area. There, a keynote speaker was a Peace Fellow alumnus who has been working at the United Nations University (UNU), she has proved to be a wonderful mentor and friend as we have begun our journey. I gave a small speech in Japanese while standing next to my wonderful mentor 福井さん (Fukui-San). The University Semester began four days later, and I embarked on courses in Refugee Law, Humanitarian Action, Peace and Conflict Studies, Research Methodology, Genocide Studies, Thesis Research, and Civil War Resolution.

Officially Students: The 2022 Peace Fellows after the Matriculation Ceremony

Four of my seven professors have worked in the United Nations, and they each have very fascinating backgrounds that have helped enhance each class. Several of them have been very forward in offering career advice and mentorship. As these are graduate seminars, most of my courses are primarily discussion based leading us to have lively debates based off of our diverse perspectives and backgrounds. In one of my classes at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (we are authorized to take classes here and at UNU), there are no two people from the same country. I heard firsthand opinions of graduate students from countries whose countries have been mired in conflict such as Ethiopia, Yemen, Columbia, and Somalia about their viewpoints on peace and conflict resolution. It has been an incredible experience to be back in a university setting.

The biggest problem I have is in managing what classes and events I am able to attend, rather than any shortage of opportunities. I only need to be taking three classes, but somehow, I am taking or auditing seven classes right now. There are too many good opportunities to pass up. Outside of classes, I have found so many incredible opportunities to continue my education. From United Nations Conversation series to language exchanges to security conferences, I have loved being able to take advantage of the dynamic and vibrant city of Tokyo. In fact, I am writing to you now on a train to one of these very conferences.

I am continuing in my research pivot from sentiments towards refugees in Germany to migration in North Africa, particularly in Tunisia, but I am still struggling to pinpoint a good guiding question and methodology to guide me that is both feasible and capable of contributing to the field and to my own development. At the moment, I'm considering a potential area of focus, which involves examining the seeming contradiction between the rising funding, intensified rhetoric, and international backing for Tunisia's asylum and border policies, and the worsening human rights conditions for the growing number of migrants both entering and leaving the country. Fortunately, I am taking a very good class on Research Methodology by Professor Stephen Nagy which is forcing me to confront these challenges. As I am more settled this month, I hope to use the time to face these challenges. Nonetheless, any advice or criticism would be very much appreciated.

The Classroom and Beyond

There has been some change in my life, but also a surprising amount of continuity. I have had a little bit more of a chance to explore some of the more Tokyo-esque areas of the city with Skyscrapers, Anime, a 'Times Square' vibes, and of course giant 猫/neko (cats). Japanese cuisine is quite tasty.

Enjoying Japanese Cuisine with my wonderful Rotary Mentor, 福井さん/Fukui-San

I have been enjoying 納豆 (natto or fermented soybeans), 豆腐(Tofu), and I even had my first chance to try Raman this past night! Despite these small changes, life feels quite manageable and often ordinary. My new apartment (where I moved in two weeks ago) is quiet, and I feel very much to be enjoying the best of suburbia-nice parks, unfussy commutes, and a lovely refuge from the hecticness of University and big city life. Between the incredible public transportation system and cycling it is very easy (and fun) to get around. I purchased a bike this past month and under my Rotary mentors 宮崎さん (Mr. Miyazaki) here in Japan and Mr. Guy in North Carolina, I am at risk of becoming an avid cyclist.

Charlemagne: 'To have another language is to possess a second soul'

Me: Could I have an order of four souls please…

Unsurprisingly, I have been able to pursue a favorite hobby of mine-language learning. Of course the obvious beneficiary is my still shaky, but slowly improving novice Japanese. The language is quite 大変 (difficult), but I try to devote around an hour each day to learning it. However, something that has been quite surprising for me is that I feel that my German skills are improving for the first time in at least a year and a half. Leading a volunteer language café for Japanese people, I have been able to talk about my time in Germany, I attended a Japanese Oktoberfest this past weekend, and even had the chance to attend an event by Goethe Institute with some other Germanophiles.

Celebrating the European Day of Languages in downtown Tokyo

In addition to my thesis mentor, I have Germans and an Austrian in my classes and cohort and have even created a group to help mentor some Japanese students interested in the German language. French and Arabic of course continues to be a pet projects of mine, and I have found a surprisingly large number of opportunities to speak both with friends and at language cafés.

Points of Refinement and the Future Goals

Looking to October, I am excited about the promise and opportunities it holds. As I am much more settled in Tokyo this month, I plan to devote more time to research and focusing on the projects where I can make the biggest contribution. I appreciate the support and encouragement from my mentors, friends, and family throughout this journey, and I look forward to sharing more of our journey in the next post. Your thoughts and feedback are always appreciated as I do my best to refine my research and contribute towards the cause of peace.