The SAJCC 2026 Arizona in Kyoto scholarship recipient was Claire De Leon, a Japanese Culture/English Literature double major Senior at the University of Arizona. SAJCC Council met on September 9 at East Asian Studies Department conference room (1512 E. 1st St.) to hear Claire’s presentation on her study abroad experience in Kyoto. 14 students participated this summer.
She had written in her application essay:
“My studies at the University of Arizona have been particularly focused on the Heian court and its literature. Kyoto, being the capital and the location of the Imperial Court for around a thousand years starting in the Heian, is the best possible place to visit if I want to continue learning about the court! I plan to visit museums, the old palace, and sites like Rokujou that are mentioned in works like Genji Monogatari.”
Attending were Chair of Scholarship committee Carolyn Classen, members of the committee: her husband Dr. Albrecht Classen (Director of Medieval Europe study abroad) and retired EAS professor Dr. Min Yanagihashi. Other SAJCC Council members attending were Co-Director Miki Pimienta, and Co-Treasurer Miyako McKay, who provided the Japanese snacks, courtesy of SAJCC.
Faculty in attendance: AZ in Kyoto Co-directors Chieko Nakano and Dr. Margaret Camp, and EAS Chair Dr. Wenhao Diao. Chieko provided the green tea (hot and cold). Missing was SAJCC Council member Dr. Josh Schlachet, also on that faculty, currently on sabbatical in Berlin.
This was SAJCC’s 5th year of scholarships for this summer study abroad program, which started in 2019 (with 3 year covid hiatus). Both Claire and the EAS faculty expressed their gratitude for the $500 scholarship.