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Connect with Former Fellows

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The Light Fellowship Student Advisory Committee (SAC) was founded in 2007 by a group of Light Fellows returning to campus after their time abroad, eager to share their experiences with peers, encourage other students to seek the same opportunity, and give back to the Light Fellowship Program.  

Reach out to one of the SAC members below if you are interested in speaking to a former Fellow about applying to the Light Fellowship, choosing a program, spending a term or year abroad, or have general questions about the Light Fellowship experience and studying abroad in East Asia!

Tip: Contact the Light Fellowship office:

  • If you are interested in speaking to a recent Fellow with similar academic or career interests or who did a particular program or term abroad not represented below.
  • If you have questions or concerns about how your race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, language, disability, religion, or other identity considerations may impact your experience abroad and are unsure which SAC member to speak to.

We would be happy to share resources and put you in touch with former Fellows who are willing to share their experience and insights into these important considerations.

SAC Members

Jaxon Havens

BA
2025

Award Details

CET-Osaka
Summer
2022
No

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2023-2024

Hello! My name is Jaxon Havens and I am a sophomore in Trumbull College. My intended major is History and I hope to go for the certificate in Japanese. I was a Light Fellow in the 2022 Summer through the CET-Japan program at Osaka Gakuin University. It was a truly life-changing experience and I am incredibly grateful for how I have progressed in both my study of Japanese and in my understanding of myself as a multiethnic person in an increasingly globalized world. I would love to talk all about Light, applying to programs, adjusting to life in Japan, and studying Japanese at Yale, so do not hesitate to reach out. 頑張りましょう！

Contact Jaxon

Hannah Lothian

BA
Mechanical Engineering
2024

Award Details

Princeton in Ishikawa
Summer
2020
No
CET-Osaka
Summer
2022
No

SAC Details

Language Officer
2023-2024

Howdy I'm Hannah, a junior in Branford and I studied Japanese remotely in the summer of 2020. The Light Fellowship really gave me the chance to put my language study into perspective. At PII we were able to talk to program alums who had continued their study in Japanese, and one of the best pieces of advice they gave was, "Your reasons for studying will change along the way." I started taking Japanese because I thought it was interesting, now I find myself invested in Japanese culture to the point where I'm really considering pursuing a graduate program or career in Japan! If you have questions about PII - and how it was online - feel free to reach out to me!

Contact Hannah

Elyse Thomas

BA
Ethnicity
Race
& Migration Studies
2025

Award Details

CET-Osaka
Summer
2022
No

SAC Details

Language Officer
2023-2024

In Summer 2022, I studied abroad with CET Japan in Osaka! Studying abroad enabled me to advance my Japanese and to build community with Japanese speakers after my first year of language classes at Yale. From traveling to different cities each weekend to attending summer festivals, I will always cherish my summer in Japan (いい思い出がたくさんあります！) , and I owe my immersion in Japanese language, culture, and society to the Light Fellowship. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or would like to talk more about Japan!

Contact Elyse

Ernestina Hsieh

BA
Architecture
2024

Award Details

Princeton in Ishikawa
Summer
2021
No
CET-Osaka
Spring
2020
No

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2023-2024

Hi! I’m Ernestina. I’m a junior in Davenport College majoring in Architecture. I started learning Japanese at Yale in L1, and have since studied with Hokkaido International Foundation (in-person), Princeton in Ishikawa (remote), and CET-Osaka (remote). Living in Japan gave me a glimpse of how language shapes a culture's way of life, and online classes introduced me to wonderful teachers and lifelong friends. In terms of architecture, much of my design inspiration comes from Japan and Scandinavia! I’ve also had the amazing opportunity to speak with Japanese architects/urban planners

Contact Ernestina

Tan Yi Tseung

BA
History
2025

Award Details

CET-Osaka
Summer
2021
No

SAC Details

2023-2024

Hi! My name is Tan Yi and I’m a history major with a passion for learning new languages. I started Japanese L1 my first semester at Yale and attended the CET-Japan virtual program during the summer after my freshman year. I then took a gap year to study at Nanzan University in Nagoya after finishing my sophomore year. Not only did I improve my Japanese tremendously through living with a host family but I also made many friends from all over the world. I learned to value human relationships more and to take risks and tried new hobbies such as swimming and hip-hop dance! I had such a blast thanks to Light Fellowship’s generous support and I would love to give back by connecting with prospective and future Fellows!

Contact Tan Yi

Displaying 1–5 of 5 fellows found