WP Intern Olivia Olson:
International Exchange Changed My Perspective
By Olivia Olson, College of William & Mary
"My experience in Japan influenced my academic and career path, and I would not be where I am today without it. I became passionate about international exchange and connection."
Learning calligraphy in Takamatsu
Ritsurin Japanese Garden
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I will never forget receiving the call that I had been selected as a student ambassador from my hometown of St. Petersburg, FL to our sister city of Takamatsu, Japan. The exchange had been running for over 50 years and was an important part of our sister city relationship with Takamatsu. I had always been interested in learning about other cultures and traveling the world, and after hearing about this exchange, I knew I had to apply. I also was extremely passionate about St. Pete, specifically the historical preservation and history of St. Pete.
Before we traveled to Japan in summer 2018, I had sessions with the previous ambassadors, learned Japanese at a local school, met with several city employees, and worked with SPIFFS to prepare for the exchange. As soon as I arrived in Japan in July, I was greeted by my host family and was so happy to meet them. Our days were packed with enriching activities, such as visiting city hall, meeting Mayor Ōnishi, and visiting a fire station. We also visited local sites, tried on a traditional kimono at the Kagawa museum, made udon noodles in a cooking class, and did activities with our Japanese host siblings. Some of my favorite moments were with my host family. They taught me how to make sushi, paper cranes, Japanese calligraphy, and we celebrated a Japanese holiday together. Another highlight of the program was the days we spent visiting Takamatsu Daiichi Senior High School. It was an amazing experience and we met so many students! |
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My experience in Japan influenced my academic and career path, and I would not be where I am today without it. I became passionate about international exchange and connection. I chose to attend the College of William and Mary and decided to major in International Relations. During my freshman year at William and Mary, I decided to emphasize my interest in culture and add a second major in Anthropology. I am interested in the role of culture and cultural connection in diplomacy and international relations. My interest in cross-cultural communication led to an internship with World Partnerships in summer 2020, which was an amazing experience!
Ever since learning about the sister city program, it has been a dream of mine to intern with Sister Cities International. This semester, I have been interning as a marketing intern with the organization. It has been an incredible experience and I have learned so much about our sister-cities program. I had the chance to visit the office over spring break, and I am excited to head back to DC for a portion of the summer. This summer I will also be traveling to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina to be serving as a co-teacher for William and Mary’s American Bosnian Collaboration (https://www.wm.edu/offices/global-research/research-labs/abc/index.php). The American Bosnian Collaboration is a project that puts on a fully subsidized camp for Bosnian youth, and it has been running since the 1990s. The goal of this project is to focus on cross-cultural understanding with emphasis on peace, non-violent communication, and conflict resolution. I am so grateful for my exchange to Japan, and I would not be the person I am without it. It has completely inspired my personal and professional goals, and I cannot wait to see what opportunities it brings in the future. |
Attending a virtual IVLP session on "U.S. Foreign Policy in the Time of Great Competitors": A Project for Canada, June 2021
At Sister Cities International. On September 11, 1956, President Eisenhower brought Americans representing all walks of life to Washington D.C. to attend a White House Conference on Citizen Diplomacy. This conference formed the capstone of the Sister Cities program.
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