About Me

My name is Yu Nakayama. I recently graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication: Journalism. I’ve been studying journalism for the past two years after spending the first two years at the UW as a pre-engineer major. I have worked as an intern-reporter for The Issaquah Press, The Seattle Times, and have done freelance work for the UW school newspaper, The Daily.

While my passion is in sports, I have written for a variety of fields – including covering the 2008 Washington State Legislature for The Seattle Times in Olympia, WA. With local elections for council members coming up in Sierra Leone, I will most likely be covering a lot of politics this summer.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve lived a pretty sheltered life – raised in Bellevue, WA, since age three – so going to Africa for an entire summer was a shocking surprise to most people who know me. But when this opportunity fell before me after a fellow intern in the Olympia program unfortunately had to turn down the Foreign Intrigue Internship in order to pursue a different position, I was quickly convinced that I would likely never have an opportunity like this again and I got on board.

There are several people I feel compelled to thank for this wonderful opportunity:

- Cindy Simmons: My mentor in Olympia, who contacted me (literally) as soon as there was an opening in the Foreign Intrigue Internship. Thank you for all of your guidance during my time in Olympia and having confidence in me.

- Michael Carter: The intern that went to Sierra Leone last year through the same scholarship. Thank you for prepping me (and the other interns, for that matter) before traveling this summer and “showing me the ropes” of Africa before I even got here.

- Jerry Baldasty and Sharon Redeker: Chair of the COM department (Dr. Baldasty) and my academic advisor (Mrs. Redeker). Thank you both for always keeping in touch with me and making sure that I had all of the necessary forms turned in.

- Lynn Pelton: My generous neighbor who connected with me several people outside Awoko, through her non-profit organization located in Sierra Leone. Thank you for all of the resources with which you provided me to prepare for my trip.

- Chris and Cheryl Antony: Two of the most wonderful people that I have ever known, who also helped me prepare for my trip with first aid supplies, reading material, and most importantly, moral support. Thank you so much for your generosity; you are with me everywhere I go.

- My parents and siblings: I’m sure that you are all a lot more worried for me than you actually show, but you have all given me everything I need to succeed and more. Thank you for all your love and support and I will see you soon.

- My friends: Thank you to all of you who gave me goodies and small gifts to take along on my trip. Nothing got me more excited for this trip than seeing all of you be excited for me. Thank you and I’ll miss you all while I’m gone.