I had had little opportunity, in this post-war period, to meet and exchange views informally with Japanese people. The JASC provided that opportunity, and from it came many valuable new perspectives on Japanese culture and society. It was also at that time that my interest was awakened in Japanese artistic and aesthetic traditions, an appreciation which remains with me to this day.

KASC gave me lasting friendships and meaningful bonds with peers in South Korea. It helped me see the country beyond Western media narratives and share what I learned with my community. I’ll always look back on this experience with gratitude and hope every student, American or Korean, has the chance to participate in such a profoundly impactful conference like KASC.

I believe the interpersonal relationships I formed through ChASC provided a space for personal growth, education, and debate. As a cohort, we were able to exchange ideas on the complex topic of China-U.S. relations.