Sam’s passion for custom building educational programs was sparked through the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. In response to the natural disaster, the TOMODACHI program was initiated to teach local Japanese youth about community resilience, rural revitalization and leadership. As a coordinator and youth mentor for the program, Sam was able to witness with his own eyes what creating empowering spaces can do for students, and what investing in youth can do for communities long-term. With this discovery, Sam has dedicated more than ten years to learn about how to direct and foster cohesive learning environments for students around the world.

After studying psychology, communications and education at UC Davis, Sam dedicated two years to learn more about the Japanese education system through teaching on Awaji Island with the JET program. Sam return to his hometown in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2018, where he spent five years custom building and facilitating both in-person and online educational programs for Japanese high school and university students.

As a Program Director for VIA, Sam is continuing his love for empowering students to become the best version of themselves, and equipping them with the tools and mindsets to become active members in their community both locally and globally.

In his free time, Sam enjoys cooking, studying mixed martial arts, and bouncing ideas with friends about education over a cup of coffee.

Bonnie is currently a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs based in New York City. She recently graduated from Brandeis University with a dual BA in Sociology and Media, Culture, and Communication. Bonnie’s academic background equips her with a comprehensive understanding of societal dynamics, and she aspires to apply this knowledge to dissect the multifaceted dimensions of public health and healthcare issues in the US and globally.

In addition to her research pursuits, Bonnie has developed communication strategies for numerous student-led organizations, nonprofits, and startups. She also teaches creative writing and storytelling workshops, with a focus on place, culture, and history. Bonnie enjoys providing mentorship to young people looking to discover and reclaim their creative abilities, as well as offering guidance to students in designing a career around their passions.

When she’s not channeling her energy towards causes that move her, Bonnie enjoys exploring museums, watching movies, and discovering local eateries.

Jun was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. At the age of 18, he came to Japan to challenge himself in the global field and is currently a clinical medical student at Keio University.

His future goal is to work as a pediatric psychiatrist globally, holding an MD with multiple licenses in the US, Japan, and Korea. He passed the USMLE Step 1 two years ago and is presently working towards the ECMFG certificate, recognizing the importance of international medical qualifications. Currently, he is planning to be involved in various clinical clerkships this year, starting with a clinical elective program at Washington University in Saint Louis.

Throughout his university life, Jun has organized the Japan-Korea Medical Student Exchange Program as the representative facilitator, establishing connections between medical students from Keio University and Yonsei University in South Korea. Engaging in community service, Jun volunteers in charity concerts and teaches child patients who are unable to receive public education through the NPO “Your School.” These experiences have deepened his understanding of healthcare and instilled a sense of responsibility. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the field of art, creating portraits, taking photos, and playing the violin.

As an international student, Jun understands the challenges faced by non-native speakers and wants to create a supportive environment for fellow students. As an alum of the VIA EHC summer program, he is grateful for the opportunity to return as a fellow and contribute to the VIA society. He hopes to offer a humble perspective to enrich the collaborative learning environment of the program and add a medical point of view as a senior medical student.