2011 TOEFL® Scholarship Winners from Japan

Iqra Anugrah, Oita (US$4,000)

• Pursuing a masters of arts in political science at Ohio University.
• Extracurricular activities: Involved in student activism, student journalism, and academic conferences, seminars and symposia. Active in a number of student organizations, including the Indonesian Students' Association in Japan and its affiliated institutions.
• Country of study: The United States because Anugrah believes the United States has rigorous academic traditions and a sociopolitical environment which encourages students to be socially concerned and put theories into practice.
• Goal in 5–10 years: Wants to enhance the collegial spirit among social and political scientists in Indonesia and establish the Indonesian Journal of Political Science as one of the most referred journals for social and political science in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Set up a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that focuses on grassroots politics and education, to promote citizen participation in the political process.

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Risa Arai, Tokyo (US$4,000)

• Pursuing a postgraduate degree in democracy and democratization from University College London in the United Kingdom.
• Extracurricular activities: Yoga, flamenco, co-founded the student political organization "Youth."
• Country of study: The United Kingdom because Arai believes that it has a robust democratic system and she wants to study electoral reform in the United Kingdom.
• Goal in 5–10 years: Would like to contribute to the democratization of the world through her thesis.

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Daiki Itoh, Tokyo (US$4,000)

• Pursuing a graduate degree in computer science and architecture from Carnegie Mellon University.
• Extracurricular activities: President of the Science and Technology Leadership Association, participates in science forums, summits, conferences and symposiums.
• Country of study: The United States because Itoh believes it has an environment of competitiveness, its human network and its culture of being encouraged to try new things and push boundaries.
• Goal in 5–10 years: Provide a universal digital product to all demographics, including rural areas, hospitals and developing countries.

Keisuke Kitamura, Tokyo (US$4,000)

• Pursuing a masters of public administration with concentration in economic development from Columbia University.
• Extracurricular activities: International law moot court competition.
• Country of study: The United States because Kitamura believes that the most distinguished public administration programs are offered in United States schools.
• Goal in 5–10 years: Help developing countries achieve self-sustaining economic growth, help improve social infrastructure and promote large-scale job creation.

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Maki Nakata, Tokyo (US$4,000)

• Pursuing a masters degree in international business with a focus on marketing and human securities at The Fletcher School, Tufts University.
• Extracurricular activities: Pro-bono activities with various Non Profit Organizations (NPOs)
• Country of study: The United States because Nakata believes it has high academic standards in graduate education.
• Goal in 5–10 years: Wants to establish a business model that connects the developing and developed nations and minimize the economic gap between the two.

Aya Takahashi Nouh, Kyoto (US$4,000)

• Pursuing a masters of science in biodiversity conservation and management at Green Templeton College, University of Oxford.
• Extracurricular activities: Kyudo (Japanese archery), drawing, traveling, photography.
• Country of study: The United Kingdom because it's where the English language originated. Nouh wants to improve her written and spoken English and understand the country's culture.
• Goal in 5–10 years: Become an active member of a distinguished international organization, such as the United Nations, to promote biodiversity conservation all over the world.

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Lisa Christine Pretty, Osaka (US$4,000)

• Pursuing a bachelor's degree in law from Keio University.
• Extracurricular activities: Cheerleading, student council and English debate.
• Country of study: Japan because Pretty wants to make Japan the starting point of an international educational journey.
• Goal in 5–10 years: Aspires to become an international lawyer who can find a path of justice through the law to help those in need. Wants to use her nationality and unique background as a bridge connecting diverse cultures.

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Yuko Takeo, Kanagawa (US$4,000)

• Pursuing a master's of science in comparative politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
• Extracurricular activities: Sophia Political Society, dancing and swimming.
• Country of study: The United Kingdom because Takeo has lived in the country and participated in the Junior Year Abroad Program.
• Goal in 5–10 years: Become a correspondent for a Japanese organization abroad or an Asian correspondent for a foreign media organization and contribute to connecting Japan with other societies, cultures and systems, in a world where information and the manner in which it is presented, have increasingly greater importance and consequences.

Shin Tanabe, Aichi (US$4,000)

• Pursuing a postgraduate degree in political science from the University of Toronto.
• Extracurricular activities: Singing in the Glee Club.
• Country of study: Canada because Tanabe believes it is one of the most advanced multicultural countries in the world and has a good reputation for higher education.
• Goal in 5–10 years: Wants to get involved in projects related to social education and policy in developing countries as an expert on social development.

Maria Rei Tateno, Tokyo (US$4,000)

• Pursuing a bachelor's degree in dietetics from McGill University.
• Extracurricular activities: Student council, swimming, soccer, tutoring, choir, Refugees International Japan and painting.
• Country of study: Canada because Tateno believes it provides excellent academic and career opportunities and has a diverse national culture.
• Goal in 5–10 years: Wants to work in a rural area with those less fortunate and interact with the rural population to give them hope and to help improve their standard of living.

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