Two USSI Scholars Graduated from ICU This Summer-Julia
JICUF launched the United States Scholars Initiative (USSI) in 2018 to increase the number of degree-seeking undergraduate students from the US at ICU. For the last five years, we have aimed to recruit two US students with excellent academic standing and cover their full tuition for four years. The first two recipients graduated in the summer of 2023. This June, another two USSI scholars, Ms. Julia Yamaguchi and Ms. Myra Lotus Shikimachi-Stickney, completed their studies at ICU. We interviewed Julia and Myra about their memories at ICU and their future aspirations. This page features an essay by Julia. You can find Myra’s interview article here.
Reflections on My ICU Journey
My name is Julia Yamaguchi, and I was fortunate to be a 2021 U.S. Scholars Initiative scholarship recipient. Thanks to JICUF’s generosity, I completed my undergraduate studies at International Christian University (ICU), graduating in July 2025 with a major in International Relations and a minor in Public Policy. My senior thesis was titled, “The Politics of Refusal: Sovereignty, Rationality, and Trust in Conflict Mediation.”
General thoughts about my time at ICU
Looking back, I thoroughly enjoyed my four years at ICU. It was a place where I grew both academically and personally. I came in wanting to study international relations, but I also had the chance to explore other fields, from environmental studies to music. The flexibility of the liberal arts system pushed us to think about global issues from different angles and to connect ideas across disciplines. I was also fortunate to learn from professors who challenged me academically and encouraged me to think critically and independently. Their guidance shaped both my thesis and my long-term interests.
At the same time, its international environment made ICU especially unique. I was constantly surrounded by people with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and those everyday exchanges were just as impactful as what I learned in class. I’m also proud of the progress I made in Japanese through the JLP, where by the end, I could not only study in Japanese but also feel confident in day-to-day life, something I never could have imagined when I first started.
Another important part of my time here was student life outside the classroom. I was a founding member of IRIS (ICU Refugee and Immigrant Solidarity), which started in Fall 2021, and ICU FRIENDS (Fostering Relationships, Inclusivity, Education, Networking, and Diversity Support), which I helped start in 2023.
IRIS gave students a platform to engage with refugee and immigrant issues. At the same time, ICU FRIENDS aimed to create connections between students who might not otherwise meet while supporting international students with integrating into life in Japan. Both groups taught me a lot about leadership and community building, and seeing them flourish has been one of the most rewarding parts of my ICU journey.
Best memories
Some of my best memories come from the community I found in Global House, my dormitory. It was truly a home away from home, and the friendships I made there quickly became like family. I’ll never forget the late-night talks, holding events together, and even the small everyday routines that made living there so special.
I also loved being able to travel, both within Japan and beyond. Within Japan, I went to Hokkaido for the Snow Festival, explored places like Sendai, the Kansai region, and even reached Shodoshima (小豆島) in Shikoku. On top of that, I had the chance to travel to Thailand, which was my first time visiting Southeast Asia. ICU also allowed me to study for five weeks in Sweden at the University of Gothenburg’s Summer School for Sustainability. Travelling was critical in shaping how I see the world.
Beyond travel, I also worked part-time at an English cram school for over two years. It was my first real work experience in Japan, and it gave me a whole new kind of cultural exchange, where I interacted with Japanese students and families multiple times a week. Balancing work and study wasn’t always easy, but it was a valuable experience that I’m happy I took on.
What’s next?
I am part of ICU’s 5-year Program, so I am continuing my graduate studies here for one more year! I officially matriculated into the ICU Graduate School on September 2, 2025, into the Public Policy and Social Research Program, Politics and International Studies area of concentration. My current MA thesis research is focused on the Effectiveness of Mediation in Preventive Diplomacy. This topic grew from my undergraduate work and my interest in alternative approaches to conflict resolution. I’m excited to spend another year diving deeper into this area.
Following my MA, I hope to continue working in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, ideally in an international organization or NGO. What draws me to this path is the chance to contribute to solutions that don’t just reflect one country’s perspective, but instead focus on shared human concerns. I’m still figuring out the details of what that career will look like, but ICU has given me the academic and personal foundation to pursue it confidently.
I’m deeply grateful to JICUF for making my undergraduate studies possible. This support allowed me to take full advantage of my time at ICU, and I don’t take that for granted. The friendships, academic challenges, cultural exchange, and more made my four years unforgettable.
