Sylff News

Alexandra Tamiko Da Dalt, second from right, and David D. Sussman with Sylff Association secretariat members.

On November 2, Alexandra Tamiko Da Dalt, a 2014 Sylff fellowship recipient at Columbia University, visited the Tokyo Foundation and became the first Sylff guest at the Foundation’s new office in Roppongi Grand Tower.

Alexandra completed her master’s studies at Columbia University and is currently affiliated with Refugee Assistance and Information Network International (RAIN International), where she offers technical assistance for and conducts research on refugee resettlement programs.

A fourth-generation Japanese-Canadian, Alexandra visited relatives living in Osaka and Chiba to reconnect with her family roots in Japan. During lunch she described her experience traveling around Okinawa and Hokkaido, the country’s southernmost and northernmost prefectures, which deepened her appreciation of both the natural and cultural heritage of Japan.

Also joining for lunch was David D. Sussman, who received a Sylff fellowship in 2003 while attending the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and who is now a research associate in the Tokyo Foundation’s Policy Research department. He and Alexandra first met in October 2016 at a Sylff fellows’ gathering in New York City, hosted by the Sylff Association. They noted a mutual interest in refugee-related issues and have kept in touch to share information and career insights. The Sylff Association secretariat encourages such networking within the Sylff community.

Sylff fellows and steering committee members are always welcome to stop by the Foundation’s office when visiting Tokyo. We would be more than happy to share the splendid view of the Tokyo skyline from our brand new, thirty-fourth-floor office!