More than 100 interns and students attended
a banquet to honor Gene and
Allyson Yamagata, of the Yamagata Foundation
Asian Internship, at the Stake Center on
Sept. 27.
The Yamagata Foundation provides
students with scholarships to fund international
internships.
“The main reason we are here is
to give thanks to the Yamagatas,” said Max
Checkett, VP of Academics at BYU-Hawaii,
as he opened the luncheon. He said, “When
these young people [BYUH students] go
back to their countries, these job experiences
would help them to build the kingdom of
God and to provide for their families.”
Student speakers were invited to
share their internship experiences. Adhika
Kusuma, a senior in marketing from Indonesia,
said, “I was working in a marketing
department. My co-workers treated me like
a real employee and my boss gave a guarantee
that I can work for him after I graduate
from BYUH. I want to say thank you to the
Yamagatas for giving me this opportunity.”
Another student speaker, Nilo
Manalo, a business management and supply
chain senior from the Philippines, said, “It’s
good to see the real world. I know the Lord
is using his people to build His kingdom.”
He participated in the Philippines Career
Connect program. He said he appreciated the
Yamagatas “because of their kindness, many
of our students can do their internships.”
Gene Yamagata greeted the audience
saying, “I’ve been told it’s supposed to
end at 1 o’clock, so I am grateful I have zero
minutes to talk.” The crowd was laughing
as he continued, “I am grateful to be here.
We have been doing this since 2003, almost
10 years. We started with a small number
of students and we now have access to 300
students.” Yamagata credited his parents’
sacrifice for his success.
“As I look over the crowd, many
of you seem to have come from countries
that required sacrifices to be here and receive
an education,” said Yamagata. He wished
the students success and said, “I know the
Lord is blessing us. He made this program
a success and I know many of you will be
successful as you go on to the world in the
near future as graduates from BYUH. I hope
to see you some place in the world again.”
After the luncheon, the Yamagatas
took time to take pictures with students
standing in line to offer their gratitude. They
greeted each student with hugs and smiles.
Allyson Yamagata commented after the event,
“It was a wonderful luncheon. We were so
excited that they [BYUH] asked us if we
could donate our time and funds to create
this foundation.” Gene Yamagata said, “we
are going to continue to help students.”
Hironui Johnston, a political science
senior from French Polynesia, said, “I
am grateful for the Yamagata’s and their
initiatives. If they ever need any of my help,
I will be more than happy to return them the
favor.” Johnston did his internship with the
Presidential Cabinet of French Polynesia. It
was the first time the Cabinet took an intern.
As an intern, Johnston represented the
Cabinet at events. “The Cabinet provided me
a chauffeur with a car. I was considered as
an employee. This distinction was earned as
they saw professionalism in my actions and
behaviors,” said Johnston.
Another attendee, Tiffany Henderson,
a political science and communication
senior from Japan, interned for an advertising
company in Japan. She advised future
interns, “don’t be too picky about where and
what kind of internship it is. Take whatever
experience you are able to get and be grateful
for it. From my experience and hearing about
others intern experiences, I think wherever
you end up, we all have learned the same
lessons necessary for real life.”
Wally Thiim, who is the LDS
Philanthropies associate director and principle
gifts officer for BYUH and Polynesian
Cultural Center, reminded students who are
planning for an internship to apply through
BYUH Career Services. “Every student who
does an internship in international countries,
qualifies for the Yamagata Foundation.”
See this article on Ke Alaka'i
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