Sense

of Adventure and Tin of Mints Fuels a Journey to Japan

By Charlotte Taylor

START GIS Analyst Intern Rhys Youngs first taste of East Asian culture came in a canister
of Pinky mints, adorned with a cartoon monkey. The gift was from a cousin stationed in
Okinawa, Japan, who regaled her with stories of his travels throughout the country. These
stories, with help from an adorable illustrated monkey, left Young with a lifelong
fascination of East Asian culture.

Three years later, Youngs family hosted Reika, a Japanese student, through an exchange
program offered by Youngs 4-H program in Salina County, Kansas. After the month was
up, Rieka urged me to visit her in Japan. I learned that as a 4-H member I could participate
in the International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE), Young said.

Young was approved for the program and set off for Tokyo. Young spent the first month of
her journey taking Japanese language classes in Shinjuku, Tokyos business district, and
lived with Reika for the remainder of the visit.

Young enjoyed the cultural experience so much that two years later, in 2009, she returned
to Japan as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. Young attended Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High
School in Sendai, Miyagi, for the entirety of her sophomore year and jumped at every
opportunity offered to herfrom playing on the womens basketball team to challenging
the administration for access to high-level courses.

At Ikuei, most female exchange students were integrated into the all-girls foreign language
course. I petitioned the administration for admission into the schools basic college prep
course, mostly so I could practice my Japanese in an environment that wasnt as
accustomed to English, Young said.

True to her international spirit and interest in terrorism, Young hopes to continue working
in the intelligence field. My dream job would involve contributing to the body of
knowledge that helps policymakers and law enforcement agents take steps to ensure
national security, Young said.

Despite Youngs hectic schedule, her love of East Asian culture has not wavered. When she
is not attending courses at George Washington University or participating in her sororitys
professional events, Young can be found discussing the batting lineup for the Japanese
Pacific Leagues Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, her favorite baseball team.

View Sense of Adventure and Tin of Mints Fuels a Journey to Japan on the START website.