I was awarded scholarship funds from the Kelli O. and Gerald J. Ford Internship Fund to complete an internship with the Tower Center this summer. The internship took place in Japan, in both Tokyo and Osaka, where I was tasked with supporting the Sun & Star Symposium. The Symposium, subtitled “U.S.-Japan Relations and the New International Order?”, explored the changing dynamics of the U.S.-Japan relationship amid a shifting international order. It aimed to assess the current state of relations and explore future possibilities, given the evolving regional and global economic and security environments.
After arriving in Tokyo, I met with many of the speakers to better understand the topics they would be discussing and how their presentations fit into the broader theme of the symposium. After six days in Tokyo, I traveled to Nishinomiya, a city near Osaka, and visited the beautiful Kwansei Gakuin University, where the symposium would be hosted. In the lead-up to the event, I attended several meetings focused on finalizing key logistical details, such as coordinating travel for speakers and attendees and arranging the venue. These meetings were especially valuable, as—even though I had attended many Tower Center events, including the previous year’s Sun & Star Symposium—I hadn’t fully realized how much effort and attention to detail are required for events like this to run smoothly.
I also had the opportunity to work closely with my Japanese counterpart from Kwansei Gakuin University. This collaboration was particularly meaningful, as it gave me hands-on experience working cross-culturally—an increasingly valuable skill in today’s interconnected world. Technological advancements have made international collaboration more accessible and common, and this internship gave me direct exposure to that dynamic.
On the day of the symposium, I was responsible for final venue preparations and taking notes to assist in writing a blog post for the Kwansei Gakuin University team.
Overall, the internship opportunity afforded to me by the Kelli O. and Gerald J. Ford Internship Fund was deeply impactful. It provided an excellent foundation in the key skills necessary to work effectively in the field of international relations, where clear communication, efficient collaboration, and flexibility are essential.