On Saturday, June 14, 2025, the SAF Japan Office held an SAF Alumni Party at JINNAN CAFÉ in Shibuya, Tokyo. A total of 45 participants gathered at the venue and enjoyed lively interactions across generations and backgrounds.
The event featured special participation from SAF alumni, current university students planning to study abroad and even U.S. students currently studying in Japan through the IES Abroad Tokyo program. Lively reunions and new encounters unfolded in the homey atmosphere of JINNAN CAFÉ.
A quiz quickly closes the gap
The first half of the event kicked off with a group quiz competition organized by student staff. Each team worked together to take on unique questions that combined English and Japanese.
The quiz served not only as a test of knowledge but also as a perfect icebreaker, sparking natural conversation and smiles that created a relaxed atmosphere. The participants were engrossed in the heated battle for prizes.
Studying abroad and beyond
After the exciting quiz, participants enjoyed chatting with each other over delicious food. The second half of the event began in a relaxed atmosphere with a roundtable discussion session with professionals from diverse backgrounds as well as SAF Alumni.
SAF Alumni speakers included Airi Hasuo, (University of California, Los Angeles Summer Session 2022), and Byunghun Kang (University of California, San Diego 2023).
Both Hasuo and Kang engaged in a candid discussion with the event participants, sharing their real-life experiences studying abroad and how they navigated their personal career development upon returning home. One topic that particularly piqued their interest was the connection between job hunting and studying abroad. Participants asked questions like, “Did studying abroad give you an advantage in job hunting?” and “Can expectations become so high that they become disadvantageous?”
“I studied abroad after I finished job hunting, so I can speak from the perspective of an employer, but I don’t think that studying abroad itself had a direct positive or negative impact on my job hunting. As you can see from the large number of people who have studied abroad here in this venue alone, we live in an age where simply ‘studying abroad’ is not enough to set you apart. That’s why I think it’s important how to make use of the challenges you take on and the things you learn while studying abroad.” - Airi Hasuo (University of California, Los Angeles Summer Session 2022)
“The key is how to make the most of the ‘possibilities’ that studying abroad offers.” - Byunghun Kang (University of California, San Diego 2023)
In response to the question, “How do you maintain your language proficiency?” Ms. Hasuo gave a surprising answer by informing the audience that she had just taken the IELTS the morning of the alumni event. This remark drew surprised reactions from the audience.
Mr. Kang followed by saying, “After returning to Korea, I will have fewer opportunities to use English and Japanese, so even now, I make a conscious effort to stay in contact with my Japanese friends and the people I met while studying abroad, and to talk to them on the phone.”
Interviews with IES Abroad Tokyo Students
US students from IES Abroad Tokyo, who had participated in the event, shared their insights and experiences with the audience. When asked about what had differed from their expectations upon arriving in Japan, they expressed their surprise at the difficulty of studying kanji and their admiration for the efficient public transportation system, which arrived on schedule without any delays.
When asked if their perspective had changed since coming to Japan, they reflected on the shift in their values. They noted that while the US is individualistic, Japan has taught them the importance of reaching consensus with others when making decisions. These valuable responses provided insight into how cultural experiences can broaden one’s perspective.
Community through Study Abroad
Participants shared many positive comments at the conclusion event, expressing a shared sense of community forged through their study abroad experiences. One participant remarked, “It was enjoyable to interact with people from diverse backgrounds while using English.” Another participant added, “We effortlessly got along on our first meeting because we had studying abroad in common.”
This Alumni Party was more than just a reunion, it highlighted the strength of the network built through shared study abroad experiences. The stories of experiences by professionals and alumni served as great encouragement for students about to study abroad, and for the returning students, it was an opportunity to look back on the past and connect their thoughts for the next generation.
The SAF Japan Office will continue to offer valuable opportunities for alumni to connect with each other, current study abroad students, and students planning to study abroad. These events will foster learning and bonding across borders. Stay tuned for more information about the next alumni event from SAF Japan!
