Career Strategy Fellowships Study Abroad

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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
2026

Award Details

CET-Osaka
Summer
2022
No
CET-Osaka
Summer
No
CET-Osaka
Fall
No

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2025-2026

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

Nicholas Yee

BA
Global Affairs & History
2027

Award Details

CET-Osaka
Summer
2024
No

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2025-2026

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!

Contact Nicholas

Jesús Cebreros

B.A
Art
2026

Award Details

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2025-2026

Hello! My name is Jesús Cebreros and I am a third year in Trumbull College majoring in Art. During the 2023-2024 year, I studied abroad at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. At Nanzan I got to practice my Japanese through intensive Japanese courses as well as several art courses like 生花(Flower-Arrangement)、書道 (Calligraphy)、踊り(Dance)、and 武道(Martial Arts). Outside of the classroom, I practiced with Nanzan's Judo, Track and Field, and Art clubs, frequented a jazz bar in Sakae called Jazz Inn Lovely, experienced salsa and bachata through the oldest salsa bar in Nagoya, got close to a couple of the nearby mom-and-pop shop owners, made a trip to Tokyo to see the Hakone Ekiden and thrift with a friend studying at Middlebury's ICU program, climbed at two local climbing gyms (one in Sakae and the other in Imaike), went on multiple CJS field trips including to Tokugawaen, Ghibli Park, and Toyota Automobile Museum, completed two bike trips (one to Tokushima and the other around Shikoku and Shimanami Kaido), saw Kaneko Ayano and her band perform live at Zepp Nagoya, and SOOO much more!!! My year abroad in Japan was such a transformative experience and one that I will never forget. If you have any questions regarding the Light Fellowship, Nanzan, living in Japan, studying Japanese, or any of the experiences I mentioned above, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Contact Jesús

Jennifer Centa

BA
Statistics and Data Science
2027
Yale College

Award Details

Middlebury in Japan
Academic Year
No

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2025-2026

Hello!! I'm Jennifer, and I had the wonderful opportunity to spend the 2024-25 academic year in Tokyo(ICU) with the Middlebury in Japan program! During my time there, I was able to significantly improve my Japanese level through the Special Japanese Program (equivalent to the heritage track), as well as through living with local roommates, and community engagement/internship activities built into the program. During my year abroad, not only did I get the opportunity to feel closer to my roots by learning all sorts of traditional arts (koto, tea ceremony, flower arranging, judo), but I also I was able to travel all over the country with program sponsored trips & fun weekend trips with friends! If you have any questions about the program or studying in Japan generally, please reach out and I would love to chat!! :)

Contact Jennifer

Aruna Balasubramanian

BA
Anthropology and History
2026

Award Details

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2025-2026

Hello! I’m Aruna, a junior in Saybrook studying Anthropology and History. I started learning Japanese at L1 as sophomore, then spent an amazing summer in Kyoto on the Light Fellowship! The rigor of KCJS pushed me to express myself in Japanese in new ways, and to engage in both academic and fun settings with Japanese peers. After finishing the course, I was thrilled by how much my communication abilities improved. While in Kyoto, I also had a great time traveling with new friends, discovering the history of Zen garden design, learning about Japanese contemporary art, and exploring the many flavors of kakigori. I would love to talk about KCJS, so don’t hesitate to contact me!

Contact Aruna

Cindy Liu

BA
Art
2026

Award Details

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2025-2026

My name is Cindy Liu, and I am a Light Fellowship Summer 2023 recipient. I was able to spend my summer abroad in Tokyo at the Sun Academy Nihongo Program, a program specifically made for Yale students! I discovered my favorite Japanese cuisine (dango and cold udon), watched fireworks with new friends through the Japanese buddy system, consistently challenged myself adhering to the language pledge, and developed a love for discovering Ikigai (reason for living) through Japanese arts. If you have any questions about the Light Fellowship, Sun Academy, or your first trip to Japan, feel free to reach out to me!

Contact Cindy

Natsume Wu

BA
Chemistry
2026

Award Details

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2025-2026

Hi! I'm Natsume, and I'm a sophomore in Davenport! I studied at SANC (Sun Academy Nihongo Center) in Tokyo during Summer 2023. From the amazing teachers and new friends I made, to the endless variety of places and experiences I got to explore in Tokyo, I couldn't have asked for a better summer! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Contact Natsume

Jack He

BA
History & Economics
2026.5
Yale College

Award Details

SAC Details

Japanese Language Representative
2025-2026

Hi! My name is Jack. I attended KCJS (Kyoto Consortium of Japanese Studies) during the Spring 2025 semester. I had an amazing time and was lucky enough to improve my Japanese both in the classroom and at the dinner table with my host family. Kyoto was also a lovely city to live in. Please reach out with any questions about Light, KCJS, or Kyoto!

Contact Jack

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