Career Strategy Fellowships Study Abroad

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


Tan Yi Tseung

BA
History
2025

Award Details

Summer
2021
No

SAC Details

Student Advisory Committee Co-Chair
2024-2025

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!


Elyse Thomas

BA
Ethnicity
Race
& Migration Studies
2025

Award Details

Summer
2022
No

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2024-2025

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!


Nicholas Yee

BA
Global Affairs & History
2027

Award Details

Summer
2024
No

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2024-2025

Hey everyone! I'm Nick, a sophomore in Berkeley studying Global Affairs and History. My time in Osaka was nothing less than transformative—building bonds with other Japanese university students is a unique experience you won't get in any other program, and thus, my Japanese certainly improved a ton. The fellowship also allowed me to travel around and hit some of my lifetime bucket list items—climbing Mount Fuji on a whim, watching a Sumo Tournament live, staying with Buddhist monks, visiting an onsen town, and getting very acquainted with the Japanese vintage thrifting scene! I would love to talk about my experiences anytime so please reach out!


Jason Wang

BA
Mathematics and Computer Science
2025

Award Details

Spring
2024
No

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2024-2025

Greetings and Salutations! I'm Jason, and I spend Spring 2024 abroad in Osaka with CET Japan. I had an incredible time abroad not only sharpening my Japanese skills, but also taking a deep dive Japanese society and culture, observing its deep history and its differences and connections to the American and Chinese culture I come from. I was able to explore the country from Nagasaki to Hokkaido, and I made so many great connections with all sorts of amazing people. I'm thrilled to share my experiences with everybody!


Jaxon Havens

BA
2025

Award Details

Summer
2022
No

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2024-2025

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!