Pursuing science as an international student has felt much like venturing into the unknown—much like an astronaut navigating uncharted space. Alone in a foreign land, I had to build everything from the ground up: language, community, knowledge, and identity. But this challenge has become the most transformative experience of my life. It gave me fluency in English, sharpened my problem-solving and interpersonal skills, and deepened my commitment to scientific inquiry. Most importantly, it taught me how to endure solitude, find meaning in failure, and grow from both. My passion for science, especially quantum theory and machine learning, stems from an insatiable curiosity to understand the nature of reality and apply that understanding to make the world better. These fields push the boundaries of what is known. Quantum systems offer a new foundation for computing and material design, while machine learning provides tools to uncover hidden patterns and accelerate discovery. I hope to contribute to the advancement of 2D materials and quantum computing—areas with enormous potential to reshape our technological landscape. But beyond research, I aim to make a broader impact: to teach, to inspire, and to democratize access to scientific knowledge. Teaching has been a vital part of my journey. I first discovered the joy of education at Stanford Middle School in Long Beach, California, where I taught Japanese science, history, and technology in collaboration with my host teacher, Mr. Pech. This experience sparked my passion for connecting with students and communities. Currently, I tutor physics, chemistry, and calculus at the Jensen SAS Center at my university. These moments of helping others grasp difficult concepts have shown me that teaching is not just about knowledge transfer—it's about empowering others to discover their own potential. I hope to become a professor who not only leads scientific innovation but also mentors students from all backgrounds, especially those facing challenges similar to mine. Volunteering has also shaped my perspective. I’ve learned that positive change doesn’t always require grand gestures—small acts matter. At the Coastal Clean-Up Day at Abalone Cove Beach and Los Cerritos Wetlands Stewardship, I engaged in hands-on efforts to restore local ecosystems and protect wildlife. These experiences reminded me that scientific thinking and civic responsibility go hand in hand. If I want a better future, I must start building it in my own community. Financial and personal obstacles have never been far from my academic path. As an international student with limited resources, every opportunity I’ve earned has been hard-won. I’ve received the John H. Stern Award, the Spyros Pathos IV Award, Sean Carroll’s Mindscape Big Picture Scholarship, and placement on the CSULB President’s Honor List. These honors affirm my potential and provide the financial support I need to keep moving forward. Ultimately, my greatest ambition is to become a scientist who contributes meaningfully to both science and society. International education has taught me that the pursuit of knowledge is also a pursuit of connection—between people, ideas, and cultures. My journey has been anything but easy, but each challenge has clarified my purpose: to advance science, to inspire others, and to create a more understanding and innovative world.

Mathematics is the only subject that humans will never be able to fully comprehend because infinity is a critical part of mathematics, whereas we are finite beings. Mathematics is not merely the ultimate asset that enables us to develop the foundations of science and technology. It is the condensed essence of human intelligence and logical reasoning. Nothing can deceive mathematics because it is exquisitely built on highly abstract and fundamental definitions. It is the basis of all scientific conjectures and analyses. If physical laws primarily seek understanding of physical structures and natural phenomena, mathematics is the Constitution. You cannot legislate laws against the Constitution. Should any inconsistencies be identified within physical laws, they are to be revised under constitutional provisions. I love mathematics because it shows me the right direction when I want to decipher any kind of problem. A system within a boundary? Dirichlet’s problem gives Poisson’s integral. Quantum system? Bessel’s equations, Legendre’s equations, Hermite polynomials, Green’s functions, and more can describe solutions to complex partial differential equations. Vibrational spectroscopy? Group theory allows us to delve into symmetries and predict spectroscopic transitions depending on molecular structures and symmetry operation groups. Tensors allow us to establish relativity theory, construct neural networks, efficient engineering, and consolidate complex physical problems into one structure. Fractals gave us better antennas and hyper-realistic VFX. I love the Cauchy integral used for alternative representations of functions. I love probability theory when I see how many-body systems at a large sample size start to agree with statistical models. I love linear algebra when I can find twenty equivalent statements in regard to invertible matrices. I love all realms of mathematics. As I expand my knowledge of mathematical topics, I acquire additional methods to address various problems. I appreciate mathematics for its universality and dependability. It functions much like a sophisticated language with its own established grammar. Mathematics terrifies me as much as it is innovative because it is so expansive and unbounded. Is our current understanding of the universe accurate? Does the universe seem to agree with our comprehension only because that is the only way of understanding natural phenomena? If there exist extraterrestrial higher beings who are further advanced and seem to possess magical technology. Whatever universe or dimension they are from, if you ask them what foundational subject they study, they will answer: “mathematics,” albeit number systems and definitions of spaces might differ from ours.

I am a Japanese international student studying abroad in the United States of America. During the past two years of living in California, I paved my way through vicissitudes to thrive in unfavorable situations. My hopes have powered my motivation to further pursue my interests in physical science in higher education. I see adversities as opportunities to grow strong and spread my compassion to other people with whom I share similar circumstances. As a first challenge, the Japanese educational system scathed my motivation for going forward to higher education. High school students usually must take an entrance exam and predetermine their desired major of interest, which they cannot usually switch afterward. I was not even sure about my life goals. Commonly, one may choose their interest in high school, receive a bachelor’s degree accordingly, and work for a company for good until retirement. This trend is collapsing, as my generation is becoming more and more conscious about the globe, societies, and their issues. The system is failing to sustain its condition, and young generations are consequently working too hard to compensate for the scars left by older generations. I could not adapt to the system—I concluded that studying abroad in a U.S. undergraduate program would provide me with flexibility in my choice of degree, proficiency in English, and observational perspectives that I would not have cultivated if I never lived outside of Japan. Thus, I was determined to commit to my ambition and dream in a new world. Despite wonderful times and experiences, one of the most significant challenges is to build all the essential foundations of living in a foreign country when studying internationally. None of my family members reside in the U.S., so I have been learning to live independently. By stating “to live,” I mean to become financially responsible, acquire knowledge in legal affairs and awareness, earn valid income, pay tax and tuition, feed myself, and establish my own way to succeed in academic environments and professional development. As my mother raised me single-handedly, we encountered rough moments in our lives, but she never gave up. She made incredible endeavors to support the family and my education. Nevertheless, my financial responsibilities grew with my age. It may be an explicitly strong message—however, no parents live forever. Since my mother experienced myocardial infarction, I have never been more aware of that than ever. Thus, as a potential first-generation immigrant without direct familial support, everyday experience is a lesson for me to enhance my skill sets to settle in a new land. Throughout times of solitude, I made new friends and amazing people who I sincerely cherish. Hard work earned me respect and trust. After all efforts, financial challenges remain due to inflation, increasing rents, and tuition hikes. Residing in California is now more expensive than ever. Inflated prices of essential items and swelling rents have been torturing California residents. The Tenant Protection Act exists in vain, and the CSU Board of Trustees enacted a tuition hike. Furthermore, all international students must pay around $20,000 a year without internal scholarships. Paid student researcher positions are also scarce although I managed to enroll in a certificate program. Therefore, I rely on external scholarships and my income as a tutor but have yet to secure a scholarship for this year. Finally, the STEAM Generator Scholarship will support my financial responsibility to pay tuition in full and continue my education. It will enable me to show excellent performance in my academic and professional pursuits.

I am a Japanese international student studying abroad in the United States of America. During the past two years of living in California, I paved my way through vicissitudes to thrive in unfavorable situations. My hopes have powered my motivation to further pursue my interests in physical science in higher education. I see adversities as opportunities to grow strong and spread my compassion to other people with whom I share similar circumstances. As a first challenge, the Japanese educational system scathed my motivation for going forward to higher education. High school students usually must take an entrance exam and predetermine their desired major of interest, which they cannot usually switch afterward. I was not even sure about my life goals. In addition, the social system in Japan is extremely conservative and it favors unjustified consistency in many cases. Commonly, one may choose their interest in high school, receive a bachelor’s degree accordingly, and work for a company for good until retirement. This trend is collapsing, as my generation is becoming more and more conscious about the globe, societies, and their issues. The system is failing to sustain its condition, and young generations are consequently working too hard to compensate for the scars left by older generations. I could not adapt to the system—I concluded that studying abroad in a U.S. undergraduate program would provide me with flexibility in my choice of degree, proficiency in English, and valuable lessons that I would not have experienced if I never lived outside of Japan. Thus, I was determined to commit to my ambition and dream in a new world. Despite wonderful times and experiences, one of the most significant challenges is to build all the essential foundations of living in a foreign country when studying internationally. None of my family members reside in the U.S., so I have been learning to live independently. By stating “to live,” I mean to become financially responsible, acquire knowledge in legal affairs and awareness, earn valid income, pay tax and tuition, feed myself, and establish my own way to succeed in academic environments and professional development. As my mother raised me single-handedly, we encountered rough moments in our lives, but she never gave up. She made incredible endeavors to support the family and my education. Nevertheless, my financial responsibilities grew with my age. It may be an explicitly strong message—however, no parents live forever. Since my mother experienced myocardial infarction, I have never been more aware of that than ever. Thus, as a potential first-generation immigrant without direct familial support, everyday experience is a lesson for me to enhance my skill sets to settle in a new land. Throughout times of solitude, I made new friends and amazing people who I sincerely cherish. Hard work earned me respect and trust. After all efforts, financial challenges remain due to inflation, increasing rents, and tuition hikes. Residing in California is now more expensive than ever. Inflated prices of essential items and swelling rents have been torturing California residents. The Tenant Protection Act exists in vain, and the CSU Board of Trustees enacted a tuition hike. Furthermore, all international students must pay around $20,000 a year without internal scholarships. Paid student researcher positions are also scarce although I managed to enroll in a certificate program. Therefore, I rely on external scholarships and my income as a tutor but have yet to secure a scholarship for this year. Finally, the STEAM Generator Scholarship will support my financial responsibility to pay

[Prometheus of the Twentieth Century—"Now I am become Death, the destroyer of the worlds."] On August 6th and 9th, 1945, Japan experienced the highest temperature of 100,000,000 Cº (18000000 F) ever recorded on Earth, having Hiroshima and Nagasaki scorched by the catastrophic blast of shockwave and radiating heat of 300,000 Cº (540,000 F). Houses burned, the air became unbreathable, and people turned into ashes. Two U.S. nuclear devices and subsequent radiation sickness killed over 200,000 Japanese civilians. The devastating event seemingly ended World War II, only to continue its international tensions into the Cold War and the 21st century. —Have we stolen the fire? I am a Japanese international student in my sophomore year at California State University-Long Beach (CSULB). I am an honors Bachelor of Science candidate in Chemistry focusing on the physical and mathematical chemistry of reaction kinetics concerned with radioactive materials and their solvation media. I currently work on a compound called 1,5-LIO at CSULB and Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory. The research has a wide innovative application to pharmaceuticals and radioactive waste management. I grew up in a small family of three. My mother is an amazing woman who paved her way to achieve professional goals and support my education. She likes to challenge herself. Being an only child, I often spent my leisure reading science books with her. My stepfather taught me his professional knowledge about electrical and mechanical engineering. My parents have had an immense influence on who I am today. In Japanese schools, students are taught nuclear policy, technology, and arsenals present in the current world more rigorously than they are taught in any other country. I had been eager to study science in the United States because it has a renowned history and reputation for nuclear and material science. Despite the dreadful history, the Manhattan Project and Oppenheimer’s theoretical accomplishments eventually made me so curious about nuclear physics and chemistry that I developed a strong desire to study the subject in the U.S. Challenges that I have overcome so far in my academic journey are the limited supportive resources and opportunities for international students. International students are financially dependent on their sponsors and approved incomes; in addition, CSU's annual tuition for non-California citizens is almost $20,000. Opportunities for grants and scholarships are scarce; only F-1 visa students do not qualify for internal scholarships. I learned that I must utilize all opportunities for which I qualify to excel in my field of study. Yet, my endurance enabled me to achieve awards, teaching positions, and scholarships and to thrive in competitive environments using scholarships. Mary Curie was the first scientist who inspired me to pursue physical sciences. She is the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person to win a Nobel Prize twice, and the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields. Her work on radioactivity is exquisite and she was the only woman who attended the Solvay Conference of 1927. She forged her intelligence and strength to acquire recognition as a woman in a patriarchal society. My post-graduate plan is to study Theoretical Chemistry in a Ph.D. program to further enrich my understanding of chemical systems and my ability to mathematically describe them. I hope to investigate the properties of materials concerned with radioisotopes, optic properties of molecules, and electronic structures of important molecules employing advanced quantum mechanics and thermodynamics. My ultimate dream is to create alternative nuclear energy sources and improve waste management technology to protect us all. —We have stolen the fire; now we shall wield it with wisdom, lest we burn our mother Earth.

I, R. Yuuki Funakoshi, am an international student from Japan. I came to the United States after finishing my high school diploma at Nagano Prefectural Omachi-Gakuyo Senior High School in Japan. I, as an honors undergraduate at California State University Long Beach, study Chemistry focusing on the Physical Chemistry of reaction kinetics in chemical reactions involving organic ligands and radioactive metal isotopes. My career goal is to become a chemical physicist who researches analytical chemistry to understand kinetic/mechanical properties and behaviors of atoms and molecules in a variety of reactions. My current research project with Dr. Stephen Mezyk, my PI, is to elucidate the efficacy of organic ligands by showcasing absolute reaction rates of free radical reactions in aqueous solution upon irradiation by a radioactive metal. My role is to employ a technique called steady-state gamma irradiation to reveal the strength of a ligand called HOPO or 1,5-LIO. My extracurricular activities are the remarkable community involvement that I have made so far in the United States. I participate in the Aquarium of the Pacific Community Science, Coastal Clean Up Day, and Los Cerritos Wetlands Stewardship. In my fieldwork, I collect harmful objects, identify useful or recyclable plastics, and restore habitats of aquatic birds that are native to the wetlands of Long Beach. I incorporate the knowledge and experience that I gained in high school as a co-president of the Asia-Africa Refugee-supporting Committee. As for my professional experience, I taught seventh-grade students at Stanford Middle School in Long Beach with my host teacher, Mr. Pech in California Global Education Project as a K-12 Instructional Assistant and Intercultural Diplomat. I will also be teaching physical sciences and mathematics to freshmen and sophomores at CSULB as a Peer Mentor. Fortunately, I have been recognized for my educational and professional excellence and have been awarded honorable prizes and certificates. First, I received the President's Honor List for every semester I completed so far. Secondly, I received the Spyros Pathos IV Award from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for my rigorous work in the physical chemistry course, in which I made my first acquaintance with Dr. Mezyk. I have also been a finalist for some scholarships, but I have been a winner only one time. My living expenses and tuition are too high to pay off using my family income from my mother and my current income. According to the representative of Financial Services at CSULB, I need $21292 for tuition and other mandatory fees, annually. I need to be able to afford my living expenses on top of the former fee. In addition, CSULB does not offer any scholarships or financial support for international students. Furthermore, the CSU Board of Trustees enacted a tuition hike that increases tuition of all CSUs annually by 6% for the next five years. Even paid research programs are only offered to U.S. citizens, undocumented students, and students with DACA status. My status as an F-1 visa student is only eligible for 1 paid program out of 10 paid programs. Still, I strive in the OURS Research Certificate Program to optimize my achievement. I strongly believe that the legal and institutional limitations to the ability of international students in the U.S. to gain financial responsibility do not match their financial obligations. Neither could California citizens, who pay less tuition, fully afford everything on their own. Scholarships are the best and only large financial last resort for non-citizens and undocumented students. If I am to be the winner of Dreamers Scholarship, I promise to further enhance my educational performance and become a great scientist as I described.

A paragraph of my choosing: "Book II" of Metamorphoses by Ovid from “Book II” of Metamorphoses. Ovid’s Metamorphoses: A complete English translation and Mythological index, Translated by Anthony S. Kline, Book II, 2000. - Bk II:227-271 The rivers are dried up "Then, truly, Phaethon sees the whole earth on fire. He cannot bear the violent heat, and he breathes the air as if from a deep furnace. He feels his chariot glowing white. He can no longer stand the ash and sparks flung out, and is enveloped in dense, hot smoke. He does not know where he is, or where he is going, swept along by the will of the winged horses. It was then, so they believe, that the Ethiopians acquired their dark colour, since the blood was drawn to the surface of their bodies. Then Libya became a desert, the heat drying up her moisture. Then the nymphs with dishevelled hair wept bitterly for their lakes and fountains. Boeotia searches for Dirce’s rills, Argos for Amymone’s fountain, Corinth for the Pirenian spring. Nor are the rivers safe because of their wide banks. The Don turns to steam in mid-water, and old Peneus, and Mysian Caicus and swift-flowing Ismenus, Arcadian Erymanthus, Xanthus destined to burn again, golden Lycormas and Maeander playing in its watery curves, Thracian Melas and Laconian Eurotas. Babylonian Euphrates burns. Orontes burns and quick Thermodon, Ganges, Phasis, and Danube. Alpheus boils. Spercheos’s banks are on fire. The gold that the River Tagus carries is molten with the fires, and the swans for whose singing Maeonia’s riverbanks are famous, are scorched in Caÿster’s midst. The Nile fled in terror to the ends of the earth, and hid its head that remains hidden. Its seven mouths are empty and dust-filled, seven channels without a stream. The same fate parches the Thracian rivers, Hebrus and Strymon, and the western rivers, Rhine, Rhone, Po and the Tiber who had been promised universal power. Everywhere the ground breaks apart, light penetrates through the cracks down into Tartarus, and terrifies the king of the underworld and his queen. The sea contracts and what was a moment ago wide sea is a parched expanse of sand. Mountains emerge from the water, and add to the scattered Cyclades. The fish dive deep, and the dolphins no longer dare to rise arcing above the water, as they have done, into the air. The lifeless bodies of seals float face upwards on the deep. They even say that Nereus himself, and Doris and her daughters drifted through warm caves. Three times Neptune tried to lift his fierce face and arms above the waters. Three times he could not endure the burning air." I have chosen the "Book II" of Metamorphoses by Ovid and translated by Anthony Kline in order to make a comparison between two textualized mythologies. Two mythological texts The Birds by Aristophanes and Ovid’s “Book II” of Metamorphoses in antiquity allude to us that they have similarities and dissimilarities in terms of a thematic idea based on didactic messages. Those two ancient literary artifacts speak to each other likewise 21st-century literature in written, recorded, and filmed formats refer to hidden remarks by the authors. Hence, The Birds and “The Book II” of Metamorphoses can be analyzed by examining the theme for each text referring to the rhetorical message or lesson that the author intended to present to the people of that period. In addition, the comparative dissection of the intertext between the two texts above is going to be relevantly applied to contemporary society. To begin with, the theme for each text, which is sufficiently prevalent in each context, must be revealed. Firstly, Given the fact that two Athenian men; Peisthetaerus and Euelpides seek a city in which easier to live, the central theme of Aristophanes’ The Birds is freedom. It is clearly justified when Euelpides says, “we’re anti-lawcourt men.” (Aristophanes 159) to show that they are anarchists who look for no authority of gods. Also, generally speaking, birds have symbolized freedom in many cultures including the ancient Greek civilization. Secondly, meanwhile, the main theme of “Book II” of Ovid’s Metamorphoses is a down-to-earth attitude because it seems that Ovid implies a didactic message that tells people the importance of sensibility for the sake of the rules inherited from Julius Caesar. Thus, portraits of tragic fate led by hubris, namely, excess arrogance and punishment, which penalizes gods for not having modesty and dignity, are distinctively contextualized in the scenario. Before criticizing them, one content that appears to be a crucial intimation of didacticism is the allegoric ideas in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave which can unravel the indicated comparison between those two texts above. Briefly, in the Allegory of the Cave, people are chained down to the ground in the cave so they cannot see the campfire which is surrounded by “puppeteers” who manipulate those people by directing them by using shadows of puppets. It essentially suggests that there is an authority that manipulates people while those people are unaware of it. The Birds speaks to the audience from the outside of the cave to debate what they can do when they are outside of the cave after being unchained. Specifically, it is certain that Aristophanes claimed that not being confined by authority enables people to orient themselves in new circumstances outside of the cave. Furthermore, given his highly political comedy work and his plays on stage in front of an open-air audience of 14,000 of all ages (Aristophanes 7), The Birds must have been intended to be an allegory that promotes the possibility of success on the journey people make. For example, he supposedly considers the land of birds to be individual communities outside of Athens and not ruled by laws. Second, conversely, “The Book II” of Metamorphoses advocates the sensibility of which people must be aware to follow the rule of emperors that Caesar, who died one year before Ovid was born, established after he overthrew the Roman Republic (Gaius Julius Caesar) (“Ovid”). Ovid narrates the story from the inside of the cave, particularly, somewhere around the campfire as a puppeteer. In the text, Phaethon falls from Phoebus’ chariot after he attempts to attain control over the wild horses which results in scorching the surface of the earth. After that, the gods start to metamorphose into animals, constellations, a touchstone, and so on beginning with Phaethon’s sisters turning into poplar trees. On top of that, Phoebus the sun pierces Coronis’ breast to kill her because she sleeps with a Thessalian youth (Ovid 596-611). This context points out that people should not have hubris that drives them to be arrogant and greedy while they follow the rules on behalf of the reign of Rome. Not only the dissimilarity between those two texts but also similarities and differences between The Birds, “Book II” of Metamorphoses, and their authors; Aristophanes and Ovid facilitate the in-depth comprehension of the intertext. First of all, both texts take place in antiquity which is the historical period of the Greeks and Romans. Moreover, they use allegoric expressions based on Greek mythology. Despite the expression of their different didactic ideas using allegories, both stories seem relevant to each other from a critical political perspective. It means that both authors had been extremely familiar with politics and laws before they started writing those texts. In fact, Aristophanes and Ovid were highly educated. Aristophanes was phenomenal in poetry and acquainted with the latest philosophical theories and methods (“Aristophanes.”). It shows how he was artistic before he was political. Unlike Aristophanes, Ovid was meant to be a lawyer as his father intended to educate him to be a lawyer (“Ovid”). Accordingly, it is not hard to think that Ovid was an extraordinary political rhetorician who observed the world from a point of view of ideology. The intertext between The Birds by Aristophanes and Ovid’s “Book II” of Metamorphoses, which indicates the historical political background at that time, implies that its primary concept can be applied to issues of modern society. Contemporized ideas allow people to see what people can conceive that is indeed contemporary literature such as movies, music, and television. They have developed day by day for many years since humans invented electronic technologies. Particularly, a great number of materials on politics in films are profoundly effective in, for instance, campaigns and rhetorical speeches. As a piece of evidence, Stephen Schechter refers to politics in films and fiction as he says, “They are not only tellers of tales but interpreters of politics, history, and culture.” to urge that “literature and film bring political themes to life” (Schechter). Beyond that, he emphasizes that literature has brought political themes to our lives since the ancient Greeks. Now, it is ultimately persuasive that a lot of literature in the world intimate didactic and political allegories as different forms. It claims that storytellers are now able to influence their didactic ideas to assert political issues by using allegoric contexts. To conclude topics that are stated so far, The Birds by Aristophanes claims what people can do without being confined by authority. In contrast, Ovid’s “The Book II” of Metamorphoses urges what people must do in order to maintain the administrative government by obeying the rules of emperors established by Caesar. Along with those different primary ideas, Aristophanes and Ovid had something in common with each other in terms of their rhetorical thoughts and technic of allegory. However, their biographies manifest the fundamental dissimilarities between them so that most readers of the two texts above in the world may realize the hints hidden behind each mythological story. Finally, those ideas of intertext between those two texts in antiquity suggest that they are applied to issues of contemporary society as literature has brought us political motifs since the ancient Greeks. It declares that modern literary works in many formats indicate political thoughts that are intended to influence the audience to imply didactic beliefs. Furthermore, there might be numerous assertions about contemporary social issues undercover.

I would like to contribute to Japan's future as a leader who leads natural science research in Japan at the forefront by leveraging my leadership, extracurricular activities, and practical research experience and results from a four-year university and graduate school. I believe that as I work hard with colleagues who aim for the same goal, hone my aspirations, and aim for higher heights, I will acquire the ability to bring people together as a leader of researchers in various fields who are active in Japan and countries around the world. From 2024, my life as an international student will dramatically change and become much more exciting than my hitherto lifetime. Firstly, my enrollment in the University Honors Program requires engagement in various extracurricular activities. This program will nourish my academic achievement in literature. The program leads me toward a thesis project, I will need a financial source to fuel my research project. Most crucially, my first research experience will start at Dr. Erika Holland’s ToxLab and Dr. Stephen Mezyk’s RadKem Lab. The research program will enrich my capability as a student researcher. As I will be required to purchase additional textbooks and materials, I estimate that my financial needs will increase proportionally to my potential learning outcomes. I believe that by applying that knowledge to university lectures, experiments, and other opportunities, I will be able to bring together my peers and guide myself and my peers toward deeper learning and understanding of each subject. Additionally, the Marine Biology Club, which I am already a member of, is an official organization approved by the university, so I am confident that it will be a great opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities such as volunteering. I believe that the experience of experiencing environmental problems with one's own hands and considering and implementing solutions through extracurricular activities is essential for a person studying natural science. In addition, the club regularly holds lectures hosted by active researchers, which provide important opportunities to hear the voices of researchers working on the front lines and gain knowledge that can be put to use in graduate school. There are plenty of them. After entering graduate school, I would like to take the initiative in interacting with my colleagues as a researcher at a higher level and use the leadership skills I developed in my undergraduate program to encourage research. In order to contribute to Japan's bright future, I aim to create a person whose research results will make as many people as possible think, ``Thanks to this person's research, society has become better.'' I want to lead researchers to the forefront of the world. If I am selected as a Crenati Supporting International Students scholarship recipient, I will be able to utilize and manage the funds to smoothly cover all tuition fees and living expenses while also affording my university studies. Sho. In addition, the cost of living in California is extremely high, and international students indeed pay much higher tuition fees than local students. Also, in most cases, international students are not eligible for scholarships offered directly by universities. If your organization can support me financially, I will study hard and work hard so that I can contribute to the future of Japan to the best of my ability. ​

The complexity of our universe is frequently discussed along with the mechanism of diverse life forms on Earth. Numerous principles of philosophy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology have fascinated scholars for centuries. As a student in the field of molecular cell biology, I have been convinced that the mechanisms of life on this planet resonate with the universe. It has been more than three billion years since the first polypeptide dissolved in the ocean was given life. The biosphere of the Earth, ecosystem, evolution, interspecies community, cellular functions, molecular mechanisms, genetics, and the galactic network of neurons in the brain seem almost too complex for us to fully understand. Just like the sun gives its orbiting planets energy, primary producers provide us with dietary organic matter so that other organisms can thrive. Just like stars die and gases form nebulas, organisms die and spread organic particles for the next generation to re-flourish. Some phenomena are often explained by the same concept of mathematics being aligned with certain patterns. Good examples are the Fibonacci sequence and the logistic map in chaos theory. I shuddered from excitement when I found the graph of atrial fibrillation, an abnormal rhythm of the heartbeat, resembles other graphs of population dynamics, dripping water, and the convection of fluid. The Fibonacci sequence appears in many concepts of biology such as the growing number of branches of a tree, blood vessels, the golden ratio, and so on. The most important thing about philosophy is that we humans always come to these questions: “Why do we exist?” This question is also associated with a question: “Why does our universe exist?” My Iranian mathematics professor once told me that Avicenna, who was an ancient Islamic philosopher, said, “I learned everything to realize that I know nothing.” Through curiosity, we have made no compromises in our quest to unravel the universe we live in. And this will continue in the future. I argue that it is essential for us to work together to understand the nature of the universe to a more excellent degree because it will enrich the underlying philosophy of science that is the strongest source of our motivation and ambition for unknowns. If we were not philosophical beings, I doubt we would have been intelligent or successful in science. I claim that our goal should not be a complete understanding of the nature of the universe but rather an aim at becoming further desperate for unknown truths because that is the driving source of our ambition by which the wisdom of human civilization is then further enhanced as well. Notwithstanding, a better understanding of our universe will lead us to a higher dimension of both science and philosophy. Thus, the second reason for working together to better understand the universe is to find an answer or answers to the questions: “Why do we exist?” “Are we alone?” and “Why does our universe exist?” I believe that this is why the highest academic degree in the world is called the Doctor of Philosophy, and we can never exclude philosophy from academic pursuits of science, literature, culture, religion, or fundamental frameworks thereof. To combine these two justifications, I claim that it is important for us to better understand our universe to better understand what we are. By the same token, I believe so because a better understanding of the universe will provide me with a way to a better understanding of myself as a form of life with metacognitive intelligence. A better understanding of our universe will take us to explorations outside of the solar system. For example, as far as I know, physicists use brilliant expressions of calculus and both the chemical and colligative properties of not only atoms but also smaller compartments such as neutrons, protons, electrons, and positrons. In string theory, each particle is made of string that is constantly vibrating. Furthermore, I see many physicists such as Michio Kaku describing how neutrinos behave in particle colliders. Nowadays, general chemistry even covers quantum mechanics to help students understand the conceptual model. I, as a college student, learned about the motion and energy of photons, quantum numbers, and Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. In recent years, quantum physics has evolved rapidly. I am certain that the prototype of the quantum computer engineered by IBM and the University of California Berkeley is one of the most amazing breakthroughs in modern times as well as superconductors. In chemistry, I experienced that the understanding of equilibrium and energy outline a crucial part of science as I participated in a laboratory at a university. My comprehension of that is that anything always reaches equilibrium because our universe does not like us not following its rules. When science finds an answer to a question, the answer creates more subsequent questions. I strongly believe that a combination of physical chemistry and biology has the closest approach to uncovering the nature of our universe. By physically understanding our universe, we will be able to find a home beyond Earth. Thus, we need a better understanding of our universe to flourish on other planets. Literature takes a different approach to the philosophical questions I mentioned above. Literary contexts reveal both the individual and collectivistic persona and psychology behind our consciousness. Hence, it is necessarily important for us to incorporate not only scientific facts but also something derived from the inside of us. One thing that makes literature, especially philosophical texts quite different from science is that any scientific facts can be proven wrong and updated as we develop new theories whereas our psychology preserves its capability to perceive the feelings of other people. In the world of literature, a lot of great writers have contributed their work to the world. I define literature as anything that conveys contextual messages; therefore, literature can include scientific books, comic books, religious texts, novels, poems, sonnets, plays, movies, animations, music, photographs, and paintings. Specifically, I believe that religions represent human values and the internal ego most precisely. We have been fascinated and confused by our ability to think; nonetheless, we never have an idea of what we are, still. That is why people call upon a superior almighty existence referred to as God for their understanding of the nature of the universe. In my case, I often feel left in the void of the universe and in a puzzling labyrinth of melancholy when I try to imagine what I am. Therefore, I claim that we must work collaboratively in an effort to better understand our universe because that is going to be a singularity for us to become highly distinguished beings. Being Japanese, I have been aware of the dedication of Japanese biologists to science and how radiation can be incredibly harmful. As a biology student with an interest in physical chemistry, I hope to employ ideas of radioactivity or any electromagnetic waves radiated from isotopes interacting with life at cellular, molecular, and nuclear levels. I would like to advance the Curies' discoveries to cure and protect people from radiation sickness. By investigating the most abundant component of our universe and its relationship with us, I can indeed uncover a small aliquot of the entire soup of unknowns. As I wish our civilization could expand its exploratory range beyond Earth, I am willing to devote my lifetime to a resolution to cosmic-ray exposure from a biological perspective. That being said, I desire to discover something remarkable by which people will no longer suffer. Accordingly, I sincerely hope to become one of the pioneers in the field of molecular research in physical biochemistry to understand how organisms adapt and diversify their physiology to harmful environments in which high-frequency electromagnetic waves can cause mutagenesis. I conclude that it is certainly important for all of us to work together to gain a better understanding of our universe because that is going to give us an answer or a hint at what we are. I recall that philosophical questions referring to the nature of our universe seem easy to comprehend but centuries of science have not given us the answer yet. The simplest question in the world may be the hardest question that has never been answered perfectly. Further to what I highlighted before, we must forge our knowledge and curiosity to combine every piece of information in science, literature, and our psyche to truly understand the nature of our galactic home. In recent years, humans have confronted numerous challenges, discovered resolutions, and established new techniques, which can be the key to an advanced understanding of our universe. For instance, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2023 Nobel Prize to three chemists and three physicists for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots and generating attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics. And a better understanding of our universe will be one of the capstones in the history of science. The underlying passion for unknowns within us will always continue to motivate us to move onward.

I am strongly convinced that “The Ode to Millennials-Gen Z" text beautifully captures the generational dynamics and challenges the younger generation faces today. The phrase, “The Greatest Generation 2.0” seems to involve a lot of ideas as “The Ode to Millennials-Gen Z” compares Gen Z with the Greatest Generation and the Great Depression. It is evident that there are similarities and dissimilarities between these two generations. I often observe the two generations repel each other because of their perspectives on their differences. Despite current controversy about the new generation around the world, I argue that Millennials and Gen Z will be the next Greatest Generation. First of all, the 32nd U.S. President Roosevelt was a significant and extraordinary person, as he had the highest number of pardons that he granted to convicted people and organizations. Today, his record is still the highest of all Presidents. Therefore, it is straightforward that Roosevelt’s incumbency in which the generation strived to reconstruct the collapsed society and survive World War II. A contemporized example of this is the United States of America today. Old generations always had a tendency to struggle with entanglements that defined a great president as one in affairs with international deals and the Greatest Generation as a cohort who led the country in the conflict. In contrast, relatively young generations such as Millennials and Gen-Z are prone to be ignorant in terms of following old-fashioned ideas and dealing with Conservative issues. Instead, what I particularly observe is the government and the generation trying to put their effort into internal problems occurring nowadays. Just as the first and second Republican Presidential Primary Debates questioned the eight candidates concerning the latest hot topics in the U.S., Gen Z has a heavy burden of complicated issues. For example, the deportation of illegal immigrants has been controversial because of the conflict between the U.S.-born Hispanic descendants and the 14th Constitutional Amendment. Furthermore, the U.S. has been overwhelmed by Covid-19, economic inflation, and so on. Especially, the Bidenomics did not seem to function sufficiently in order to stop inflation. However, people are leaving unaffordable big cities like Los Angeles and New York for smaller and more reasonable areas. Even the infrastructure and medical insurance have not been improved, as they are often mentioned by ambassadors and representatives of other countries as well. Yet, I claim that Gen Z is destined to be the next Greatest Generation that will flourish and evolve the country into a brand-new land of hope. The second component that makes them as highly competent as the Greatest Generation is the flexibility and adaptability of Gen Z, which makes them quite different from older generations. It is believed that young people still do not have crystallized opinions about society, politics, or the economy because their brains are at the formative stage of development. They hence are apt to have a partisanship with an ideology of Liberalism; however, they are not fully determined. I, as a part of the generation, think that the major two examples of new perspectives are the following: the LGBTQ+ community and educational transition. As for the first one, the majority of people around me and I think that the ideology itself is out of control. Even though the policy varies from state to state, forcing parents to admit their children’s abnormal sexual orders before adolescence should not be granted while we do not oppose adult gay marriage and other activities conducted by people in the community. Moreover, recently Gen Z was pointed out for not being able to work full-time when an influencer posted a TikTok video about it. It is also true that the nationwide statistics have indicated the lowest scores on standardized exams and activities of mathematics and reading for years. Nevertheless, these conflicts are the key to the betterment of human society. Accordingly, I hereby conclude that Gen Z is going to be the Greatest Generation 2.0, which will transcend older generations and bring new hope to the modern world with unprecedented situations and challenges.

I am dedicated to volunteering for environmental conservation efforts. Through my online platform, I raise awareness about protecting the biosphere from pollutants that harm ocean organisms. As co-president of the Asia-Africa Refugee Supporting Committee in high school, I collected funds and supplies to support the economy of the Republic of Mali and foster connections between Japan and Mali. To promote the project, I created a class report called "Report on Global Environmental Issues" to influence more people, especially students. The committee successfully obtained financial support and transportation to Mali. In the United States, I took part in the Coastal Cleanup Day 2023 organized by Heal the Bay in Los Angeles County. I collected non-biodegradable plastics, canisters, metal particles, and fishing nets at Abalone Cove Beach and Shoreline Park. I shared these experiences on my blog and social media platforms to raise awareness about environmental issues. If I were to leave a message on the top of the mountain, I would put a flag with a sentence that says, “Cast no dirt into the well that gives you water. You are halfway.” This lesson reminds me of the fundamental value and philosophy of environmental conservation. People must possess environmental literacy to understand the impact of things like plastic on the ecosystem. The second phrase would effectively remind people that being on the top of the mountain is a turning point rather than a final destination, as climbing down is necessary for a safe return. Climbing a mountain involves risks such as low oxygen levels, freezing weather, turbulent winds, fatigue, dehydration, and physical injuries. Being careless on the mountain can cause trouble for oneself and others. It is important to remember that humans are part of nature and must always be cautious about the impact we have on the environment and ourselves.

Two mythological texts The Birds by Aristophanes and Ovid’s “Book II” of Metamorphoses in antiquity allude to us that they have similarities and dissimilarities in terms of a thematic idea based on didactic messages. Those two ancient literary artifacts speak to each other likewise 21st-century literature in written, recorded, and filmed formats refer to hidden remarks by the authors. Hence, The Birds and “The Book II” of Metamorphoses can be analyzed by examining the theme for each text referring to the rhetorical message or lesson that the author intended to present to the people of that period. In addition, the comparative dissection of the intertext between the two texts above is going to be relevantly applied to contemporary society. The intertext between The Birds by Aristophanes and Ovid’s “Book II” of Metamorphoses, which indicates the historical political background at that time, implies that its primary concept can be applied to issues of modern society. Contemporized ideas allow people to see what people can conceive that is indeed contemporary literature such as movies, music, and television. They have developed day by day for many years since humans invented electronic technologies. Particularly, a great number of materials on politics in films are profoundly effective in, for instance, campaigns and rhetorical speeches. As a piece of evidence, Stephen Schechter refers to politics in films and fiction as he says, “They are not only tellers of tales but interpreters of politics, history, and culture.” to urge that “literature and film bring political themes to life” (Schechter). Beyond that, he emphasizes that literature has brought political themes to our lives since the ancient Greeks. Now, it is ultimately persuasive that a lot of literature in the world intimate didactic and political allegories as different forms. It claims that storytellers are now able to influence their didactic ideas to assert political issues by using allegoric contexts. To conclude topics that are stated so far, The Birds by Aristophanes claims what people can do without being confined by authority. In contrast, Ovid’s “The Book II” of Metamorphoses urges what people must do to maintain the administrative government by obeying the rules of emperors established by Caesar. Along with those different primary ideas, Aristophanes and Ovid had something in common regarding their rhetorical thoughts and technic of allegory. However, their biographies manifest their fundamental dissimilarities so that most readers of the two texts above in the world may realize the hints hidden behind each mythological story. Finally, those ideas of intertext between those two texts in antiquity suggest that they are applied to issues of contemporary society as literature has brought us political motifs since the ancient Greeks. It declares that modern literary works in many formats indicate political thoughts that are intended to influence the audience to imply didactic beliefs. Furthermore, there might be numerous assertions about contemporary social issues undercover. Finally, the contexts in the two books seem labyrinthine to comprehend; however, they are relevantly close to each text when analytic evaluations reveal their intertextual major motif. They have implicitly shaped my goals with a meta-cognitive philosophy of what is inside of my consciousness. The comparative understanding of these two books influenced and will have a great impact on my decisions in life.

One night in my dorm at California State University Long Beach before Christmas of 2022, my entire life completely shifted because I entirely changed my life plan of becoming a graphic designer to pursue my interest in biological sciences. I felt a devastating fear of confronting the adversity of language and difficulty in science. Not having my Japanese family in America, I drowned in loneliness. I learned history, politics, literature, and science in Japanese, as I grew up in Japan until I was eighteen years old. I have loved both art and science equally. However, I was a coward in the sense that I assumed learning art would not require a comprehensive knowledge of English. Moreover, being a STEM major student in a second language seemed impossible to me. I was hence almost incapable of finalizing my decision. Nonetheless, I began to consider art as the essential material of my life but not as a professional pursuit. Therefore, my determination to major in marine biology was a highly rigorous challenge, as I had to look into my meta-cognition of who I am and what I am. In turn, I successfully established transcendent courage, passionate motivation, and sophisticated insight, which have been three of my strongest academic skills. I fell into the conflict of possessing an ambivalent persona, whether I was or not. But there was a certain moment when my ambition for science overrode my fear and anxiety. At that instantaneous moment, when I could even feel time slowing, an unknown power enabled me to tame my tremendous fear. I was no longer terrified of changing myself. Since that happened, I have been intrigued by the world of marine biology which was going to be my major and is going to be the biggest portion of my whole life. Following that experience, I felt like a dolphin swiftly swimming up to the surface of the ocean to make a jump in the air. I harnessed my fear to strengthen my courage. The fear did not disappear, but I even manipulated the fear to nourish my philosophy. I realized fear was to be neither defeated nor ignored. One of the most crucial principles of this experience for me is that the more turbulent the challenge is, the more relevant I am to what I eagerly hope to become in the future. Finally, I was gratefully convinced that through my self-admiration, I had become more courageous and adventurous. I sincerely believe that the International Student Scholarship will enable me to achieve my educational goals at California State University Long Beach. My academic and professional life goal is to become a pioneer in the field of marine microbiology who conducts effective research utilizing physics, chemistry, and mathematical analyses for my life fulfillment and for society to evolve. One of the truths about studying abroad in the United States of America is that international students scarcely have scholarship opportunities, the tuition for non-U.S. citizens is nearly twice as expensive as the tuition for California citizens, and they are not eligible for off-campus jobs, Federal Work Study, or other financial aid. I argue that financial status should not be an obstacle for every international student because he or she can contribute a great performance to academic environments just as they already learn to speak different languages and use them to pursue degrees in a different country. Accordingly, this scholarship will lead me to valuable achievement at university and minimize difficulties, so I can focus my perspective exclusively on wonderful educational opportunities such as the Catalina Semester at California State University rather than facing financial challenges.

Being a non-U.S. citizen throughout my academic life at the university has been incredibly turbulent, as I am from a single-parent family with insufficient income for studying abroad. I have dedicated myself to studying as much as I can in order to enrich my experience and enhance my ability to be an independent adult. The most important thing for me is to not be afraid to follow my dreams and change my life dramatically. I argue that being a human being of value is more essential than the realization of the dream itself for the fulfillment of a lifetime. Based on what I've learned and experienced, it is clear to me that the mind does not like big changes. I think most people have experienced that friendships and housing stability bring peace of mind. Also, there have been many times in my life when I hesitated to take the next step because I was afraid of setbacks while chasing my dreams. My biggest regret is that I disappointed my mother when she received a job offer from a company in Hawaii and she wanted me to study abroad and accompany her; however, I was terrified of being separated from my friends and relatives and was unable to take a step forward. Despite my passionate desire to communicate in English, make foreign friends, and expand my dreams, I missed the chance once. I thought that I would be unable to find value in myself if I made a life plan prioritizing the stability of the future ahead and fantasizing about my most important dream, "I wish there was a time like that." What I want to argue here is that no matter how unrealistic my dreams and aspirations are, if I don't take action, it is impossible to find my own value in life. I often think to myself, “If I wish to ultimately enrich my humanity, significance, and variety of life experiences, I must be fearless to have exhausted all the strength and knowledge that I possess.” I believe that the more turbulent and challenging these experiences are, the more the elements that make me a human being will become stronger. Therefore, whether the dream has come true or not is not always important. Anyone can have dreams and aspirations at any age, but it takes a lot of courage to put them at the center of the world for the rest of your life. As for me, entering a university in a different country was a once-in-a-lifetime chance and a tough challenge for me, but I finally decided to shake off my fear and came overseas to the United States of America in search of exciting new adventures in life. I am primarily interested in the computational analysis of the ecology, physiology, and evolution of aquatic organisms and the effect of external variables on them such as sound, chemistry, salinity, and temperature in the oceanic environment. Since I started reading books on science, such as The Future is Wild, I have been fascinated by enormously diversified forms of life and the adaptive radiation of organisms on Earth. I often imagine how it is beautiful to quantify the seemingly unpredictable phenomena in nature. Einstein once said, “Try not to be a man of success, but rather try to be a man of value” and “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” These two statements have given me fundamental encouragement and motivation to pursue my academic goal and overcome rigorous challenges.

The majority of people believe that helping others is a spontaneous act derived from kindness. It means to be supportive and dedicated to others so that they can help, socialize, and associate with each other. In general, the word “kindness” means that empathetic or sympathetic state of emotionality that drives people to be thoughtful for someone else to help and collaborate. Nevertheless, kindness can be defined by more relatable notions based on everyday experience. Helping others establishes an artery running all over the world that carries empathy which encourages sincere compassion for others including family, friends, partners, and even strangers. Helping others is an understanding within the minds of people to discover a way to support someone else. First, when people encounter others in need, they are prone to try to help them regardless of not knowing how exactly they are going to make an effort to help them out. This instinctive feeling makes us believe that we are alive together but not alone on the planet. Kindness transforms into a strong force that makes people take action to dedicate themselves to others. Second, a sincere understanding of vulnerable hearts expands the helpfulness that comes from the core of the human mentality. Namely, when people see a person confront an immense obstacle, many of them try to understand their circumstances to unconsciously withdraw their kindness from their hearts. Consequently, they take action to help the person to get through the rigorous moment together. Helping others nourishes the underlying root that connects a great number of people. Firstly, having an optimistic interaction among people appears to be closely harmonized and sound when kindness is established. Remarkable examples of shared kindness can be seen after a tragedy. After a crisis, people, cities, communities, states, governments, and countries all around the world share their kindness to put their best effort into getting through the rigorous moment in time. As an example, in March 2011, people became vulnerable in Japan when the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami showed their lethal damage. I witnessed a lot of casualties of the disaster sharing kindness to overcome such a tough moment because I was also one of the victims. My neighbors, my classmates, my family, and I were terribly frightened by the impact of the earthquake. But we got through the rough times by supporting each other and sharing kindness. Second, a beautiful flower of delightfulness and happiness blooms when the root of kindness is strongly built by the connection between people. When people accomplish something after a hard time, it is clear that the feeling of achievement is stronger than anything. And then it gives happiness to everyone who shares kindness. Therefore, kindness belongs to the mentality of people as a core of feeling for somebody else to provide help. A lot of individuals genuinely believe that they deserve to be given kindness and sincere support from others, as they hope that their kindness positively influences others as well; however, it is quite rigorous to help someone anytime in a lifetime with up-and-downs. Notwithstanding, kindness thrives at the bottom of the heart of everyone to achieve something invaluable. This claims that kindness is a fundamental link to the core of this planet and people with distinctively different backgrounds and beliefs. Harm-warming helps enable people to be compassionate about others as if they blend in the same connection of thoughts. The compassion that comes from real kindness connects not only friends and families but also strangers. Helping others carries happiness through any form of interaction as long as humankind unites to enrich the quality of goodwill henceforward.