Spring 2024 Graduates

Kyaw Hsan Hlaing

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies
Focus: Southeast Asia and China

What was the most impactful aspect of your time here at UH? The supportive community at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa was profoundly impactful. It fostered a sense of belonging and camaraderie, offering encouragement and guidance through academic and personal challenges. From faculty to fellow students, there was a genuine sense of family, making the university feel like a second home.

What’s next? PhD Studies in Political Science at Cornell University

Any advice for incoming students? To incoming students at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, I’d emphasize the importance of embracing the supportive community. Engage with peers and professors, and seek mentorship opportunities. Prioritize connections and collaboration, managing time effectively, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed.

Yejun Kweon

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies
Focus: My area was Korea, specifically North Korea. My undergraduate research was about North Korean science fiction, where I explored ideas of blue ecocriticism and ecofeminism.

What was the most impactful aspect of your time here at UH? The most impactful aspect of my time here could be conducting faculty mentored research and presenting my research at the national conference. I also enjoyed interacting with professors at the program and learning from them, namely Professor Park, Professor Andaya, and Professor Abinales.

What’s next? I plan to continue my studies by joining History MA program at University of Hawai‘i.

Any advice for incoming students? I would like to say reach out to professors and upper class-men. They would give helpful advice and support throughout the program! I would also like to advice to be active outside of classroom! College is a one time opportunity and I found it important to participate in various events!

William Britt

Degree: Master’s in Asian International Affairs

Elijah Collier

Degree: Master of Arts in Asian Studies
Area of Focus: Japan, Nationalism, Social Movements;
Plan B paper: Policing Subversion in Imperial Japan

Aaron Conyers

Degree: Master’s in Asian International Affairs
Focus: Geopolitics in regards to energy resources. Specifically, US Lithium Recycling for Security & Sustainability

What was the most impactful aspect of your time here at UH? The advisement from my professors, really helped me.

What’s next? Start a Non-Profit

Any advice for incoming students? Explore and challenge ideas, policies, and frameworks because you could be the voice that’s needed to change.

Lucie Crowley Duffy

Degree: Master of Arts in Asian Studies & Graduate Certificate in Southeast Asian Studies
Area of Focus: Korea (MA), Thailand (GCert)
Thesis: Postcards, Place, and Progress: Colonial Korea as a Touristic Commodity

What was the most impactful aspect of your time here at UH? The community amongst graduate students, both in and out of the classroom, and the welcoming of unique perspectives and thought throughout the program. The respect given to the graduates students by the professors was so impactful and important, I felt listened to and valued as part of the department and it really helped my own scholarship to grow and develop.

What’s next? Rest and apply to PhDs!

Any advice for incoming students? Most people are coming to Hawai’i without any roots here in the islands, everyone is in the same boat starting afresh and keen to get stuck into the scholarship – don’t worry! Make good use of graduate student events on campus and use this time to really engage with the texts and topics you’ve always wanted to.

Hannah Hartman

Degree: Master of Arts in Asian Studies
Area of Focus: Japan
Thesis: Reasons behind Elderly Suicide in South Korea and Japan. Elderly suicide is high in both South Korea and Japan. This study is a comparative analysis that explores the factors that contribute to elderly suicide in both South Korea and Japan. The factors mentioned in these scholarly articles are written in English by Japanese and South Korean researchers. Focus areas include monetary stress, family support, and mental and physical health. In addition to this, it is also found that governmental involvement in the lives of the South Korean and Japanese elderly could be important to lessen the risk of suicide. Monetary stress is particularly noted in the elderly in the countryside of Japan, whereas in South Korea educational attainment is studied more often by researchers. In family support, the Japanese and South Korean elderly are not adequately taken care of by the younger generation or the government leading to a higher suicide risk. For mental and physical health in the elderly population in Japan and South Korea mental health can affect physical health and vice versa causing a risk of suicide.

What was the most impactful aspect of your time here at UH? The most impactful aspect of my time at UH has been my dedication to studying Japanese. It has enriched my understanding of a complex and fascinating language and opened doors to a whole new culture and way of thinking. I’ve developed patience, perseverance, and a deep appreciation for the language and the culture. Hawai’i and UH has numerous opportunities to embrace Japanese culture.

Any advice for incoming students? Take the time to learn the language of your country of interest, even if there is a class that is outside your area of interest give it a chance you may find you like it.

Alia Jeraj

Degree: Master of Arts in Asian Studies
Area of Focus: South Asia (specifically, northern India)
Thesis: Grieving Together: How Muharram poetry creates liminality, allowing women to grieve

What was the most impactful aspect of your time here at UH? I really appreciated the interdisciplinary nature of the program and getting to take classes in other departments. I also think you can’t take for granted the place—getting to learn and grow in Mānoa Valley is such a special experience that I’ll be forever grateful for.

What’s next? Looking for work and continuing to learn!

Any advice for incoming students? Take advantage of every opportunity! Talk to people! Try new things! Get involved in your community!

Celia Langford

Degree: Master of Arts in Asian Studies

Allison Lee

Degree: Master’s in Asian International Affairs

Regan Lee

Degree: Master of Arts in Asian Studies
Area of Focus: South Korea
Research: My main research focus during my time here was spent around the 1948 Jeju Uprising, and it took several forms, but my thesis centered on changing perceptions of narratives in various media forms.

What was the most impactful aspect of your time here at UH? Meeting so many wonderful people, both faculty and peers.

Any advice for incoming students? It’s tough but persevere and you will get through it in no time and wish your time spent here was longer.

Monica Orillo

Degree: Master of Arts in Asian Studies
Area of Focus: Southeast Asia and the Philippines
Main research topic: Memory of martial law under Marcos Sr.
Plan B papers: 1) The Black Hole of Forgetting?: Filipino-American Memories of Martial Law in Elaine Castillo’s America Is Not the Heart; 2) The Legacies of Transitional Justice in Philippine Politics and Today’s Memories of Martial Law

What was the most impactful aspect of your time here at UH? I really enjoyed having the chance to take classes across the humanities and social sciences. I learned from fantastic professors and classmates in courses that touched on so many different topics, and I appreciate that UH gave me such a well-rounded, multidisciplinary education.

What’s next? I’ll be interning in Vienna, Austria at the U.S. diplomatic mission to the United Nations for the summer. Then I’ll begin working as a diplomat in September for at least 5 years through the State Department’s Pickering Fellowship.

Any advice for incoming students? Don’t be afraid of taking classes outside of your usual area of focus! The MAAS program gives students the opportunity to get an interdisciplinary education, and it’s great to learn from different disciplines and broaden your academic horizons.

Vanice Rodriguez

Degree: Master of Arts in Asian Studies
Area of Focus: Korea
Main research topic: Digital sex crimes in South Korea
Plan B paper: Tethered to Patriarchy: Perceptions of Women & Digital Sex Crimes in South Korea. For years, South Korea has struggled with the growing penetration rate of digital sex crimes. The South Korean government has been able to successful diminish these crimes despite continuous reforms and legislative changes. This lack of effective counter measures is tied to the active reinforcement of patriarchal values to maintain the status quo.

What was the most impactful aspect of your time here at UH? I met a lot of great people during my time here and I really think they helped to shape my time here at UH.

What’s next? Work.

Joseph Yamamoto

Degree: Master of Arts in Asian Studies

Anna Yu

Degree: Master of Arts in Asian Studies