FLAS Fellowships

FLAS Fellows 2022-23

 

Kaitlyn Carter (She/Her, Chinese)

Kaitlyn is a fourth-year undergraduate student double majoring in Economics and Asian Languages & Cultures with a minor in Chinese.

The FLAS fellowship has enabled Kaitlyn to continue her Chinese language training and begin to apply her Economics background to study the Chinese Economy. Kaitlyn is interested in the exceptional growth rate of China and has enjoyed studying the language in tandem with the complex evolution of the country’s economic policy.

After graduation, Kaitlyn plans to seek out positions that challenge her to work with diverse cross-functional teams in business development, corporate finance, or consulting capacities.

 

Caralee Casto (She/Her/He/Him, Japanese)

Caralee is a second year MA student in the Japan Studies Program in the Jackson School of International Studies. She received BA’s in Japanese and International Affairs from Marshall University in West Virginia, and a certificate of Asian Studies from Kansai Gaikokugo Daigaku in Osaka, Japan. Her primary research interests focus on the relationship between gender-based issues and labor policy in Japan.

The FLAS fellowship has not only provided Caralee the opportunity to continue her studies in graduate school, but has also allowed her to focus on improving her language skills for further use. With the abilities obtained through FLAS, Caralee intends to continue her studies in Japanese and pursue a PhD in Sociology so she may complete research in Japan. Ultimately, she hopes to work with international organizations such as the UN in order to foster a deeper understanding among nations.

 

Daniel Hance (He/Him, Japanese)

Daniel is a second-year MA student in the Japan Studies program in the Jackson school of International Studies. His primary research interests include the relationship between Japanese Buddhism and Japanese nationalism and Japanese energy policy. Specifically, new initiatives by the Japanese government to invest in hydrogen energy to create a so called “hydrogen society”.

The FLAS fellowship from the East Asia Center has allowed Daniel to come to Seattle from Birmingham, AL and receive intensive language instruction. Before to coming to The University of Washington, Daniel received his bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management. He hopes to be able to use both his undergraduate background and his knowledge of Japan to contribute to the strengthening of the US-Japan relationship.

 

Tamorie Mayweather (She/Her, Chinese)

Tamorie is a Master of Public Administration student at the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and plans to pursue concentrations in Leadership and Decision Making and Social Policy. She has a background in international affairs with an Asian Studies focus.

Thanks to FLAS she is able to continue her Mandarin studies and work toward improving her language knowledge to an advanced level. Tamorie is interested in studying the ways in which successful policies implemented abroad may be adapted to a U.S. context. Through her language and cultural understanding, and further development with the FLAS fellowship, she hopes to contribute to the ways in which the U.S. may strengthen its social services internally, as well as its connections with our global partners abroad.

 

Chandler Morgan (He/Him, Japanese)

Chandler Morgan is a Japanese major who is honored to be part of the East Asian Center Foreign Language Area Studies this academic term. Currently a Senior, Chandler has his eyes set on being a part of the JET Program after he graduates.

Thanks to the 2022-2023 Academic Year FLAS fellowship from the East Asia Center Chandler is excited to focus solely on the Japanese language and classes centric to Japanese culture. In the more distant future and with their experience gained from their time as a FLAS Fellowship member, Chandler hopes to spread his passion of language learning to not just those wanting to learn English in Japan, but to those wanting to learn Japanese all over the world.

 

Eliyah Omar (He/Him, Japanese)

Eliyah is a third-year graduate student in the Department of Anthropology’s Sociocultural Anthropology PhD program. His primary research focus is on modern dynamics of transnational popular culture exchange, with Japan being his main area of interest.

Japan’s popular culture has had considerable global influence. Eliyah’s research centers on recent developments in Japan’s pop-cultural landscape with regard to shifts in patterns of production and consumption, new means of communication and dissemination, and international factors. 

Conducting international research requires a high level of language proficiency and regional knowledge, and thanks to the FLAS Fellowship from the Global Studies Center, Eliyah is provided the necessary funding to continue developing his Japanese language capabilities and academic skill set. In the future Eliyah hopes to contribute to intercultural understanding, appreciation, and respect through a career in anthropological research and professorship.

 

Sarah Prothero (She/Her, Chinese)

Sarah Prothero is a first-year MA student in the China Studies program at the Jackson School of International Studies. She previously earned a BA in Anthropology from California State University, Long Beach and an MA in Chinese Studies from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Prior to studying at the University of Washington, she worked for three years as an English teacher in Hubei Province, China. She is interested in exploring issues of ethnicity, environment, and urbanization in the context of China’s urban-rural divide.

The FLAS Fellowship from the East Asia Center has allowed Sarah to fully dedicate her time to studying the Chinese language and exploring her academic interests through area studies courses.  She is grateful for the opportunity to improve her language skills in preparation for further graduate education and a career focused on China.

 

Chad Westra (Japanese)

Chad Westra is a second-year History PhD student with a primary interest in modern China and secondary interests in Japanese history and Japanese empire. His research examines social, political, and economic transformations in China through the lens of paper. He hopes to develop Japanese language skills that will allow him to incorporate Japanese scholarship and primary sources into his research. With FLAS support this year, Chad is taking second-year Japanese language courses and various courses on the history of premodern and modern Japan.

Julia Williams (She/Her, Chinese)

Julia is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Chinese and Political Science with a focus on international security and minoring in data science. She is additionally a member of the Chinese Language Flagship program at UW. This program provides students with support to pursue Chinese language studies and the opportunity to travel abroad and gain greater Chinese language skills. Julia also works as a Handshake Data Specialist for the UW Career and Internship Center. In this role, she works with data review and analysis on the UW Handshake website.
Julia began studying Chinese in high school and is now in her eighth year of studying Chinese. The FLAS Fellowship has given her the opportunity to continue her passion for language learning, while also helping to further her East Asian areas studies. This fellowship will allow Julia to focus on Taiwan and the ever-present issue of international security. Julia hopes to pursue a career that involves her interest in international security and Chinese language capabilities in the future.