Journey of Growth at SIPS: Promoting Peace Through Global Perspectives

Lau Yaa Yuen, known as Yaya, is from Malaysia, and now resides in Taipei, Taiwan. She earned a Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Social Science (Psychology) and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, which laid the foundation for her dream of studying at Soka University of  Japan (SUJ). Inspired by Daisaku Ikeda’s Peace Proposal and personal experiences such as meeting a Syrian refugee, Yaya was determined to enroll in the SIPS program.

At Soka University, Yaya overcame challenges like cultural adaptation, language barriers, and Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Academically, courses like Women’s Studies and Globalization and Migration fueled her passion for gender equality, inspiring her Master’s thesis on child marriage. Yaya also attended gender studies conferences online and presented gender studies topics that were invited by the professors.

Currently based in Taiwan, Yaya is committed to promoting peace through her work at an English education center. The SIPS program has profoundly enriched her understanding of humanity, providing a broad perspective on global issues such as politics, culture, exploitation, and inequality. This expanded worldview enables her to approach her career with a unique perspective. Additionally, through SIPS, she has honed essential career skills, including communication and listening, which continue to support her professional development.

Yaya encouraged the current and future SIPS students: Never give up on your dreams! As Martin Luther King Jr. said in I Have a Dream, with hope and faith, our dreams can come true. It took her nearly 10 years to achieve my goal of studying at Soka University, but persistence paid off.  Strive for excellence, you all possess power to inspire change.