Many undergraduates dream of studying abroad in places like Tokyo, Japan, where first-ever International Horizons Scholarship (IHS) recipient Dylan Donlon-Moyer brought those dreams to life. A Communications major concentrating in public relations, Donlon-Moyer explored the city of Tokyo while studying Japanese culture and international relations between the U.S. and Japan.
IHS funding enabled Donlon-Moyer to participate in a bilateral exchange program between George Mason and Hosei University. “As the child of a single parent who has only been able to attend college with the help of scholarships and loans, I would not have been able to achieve my lifelong dream of studying in Tokyo without the help of resources like this one,” Donlon-Moyer says of the International Horizons Scholarship.
The program is specifically for Honors College students, awarding recipients with $2,000 for a semester or yearlong global education experience.
The opportunities and challenges of studying abroad in Tokyo are solidifying Donlon-Moyer’s interests and benefitting her career marketability. “Experiencing the challenges of communication in everyday life has been an eye-opening experience,” explains Donlon-Moyer. “I have both self-studied and taken classes in Japanese language for a number of years, and it’s a shocker to see how much room for improvement I have,” continues Donlon-Moyer, whose career goal is to manage relations between companies that have branches in the U.S. and Japan. 
Double minoring in Computer Game Design and Japanese Studies, Donlon-Moyer envisions herself working as a social media manager or game designer for companies like Nintendo or ATLUS.
The Honors College helps connect students like Donlon-Moyer with resources like IHS. “I’m grateful to the Honors College for helping me get here,” reflects Donlon-Moyer, who is growing alongside students from around the world who share her passions.
Original reporting by Jimmy O'Hara. Photographs provided by Dylan Donlon-Moyer.