We are excited to introduce the "Yui-Maru Scholarship" for Okinawan participants in our course, Neurodivergence & Whole-Person Health!
🌺 What is the Yui-Maru Scholarship?
The Yui-Maru Scholarship is a special financial aid program designed for individuals from Okinawa (Uchinanchu) who face economic challenges in accessing this course. Our goal is to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent passionate learners from deepening their understanding of neurodivergence and health.
🌱 Why Offer a Scholarship for Okinawan Participants?
Living in Okinawa, I have witnessed firsthand how poverty remains a serious issue. But poverty is not just about financial hardship - it also limits access to crucial information.
To bridge this information gap, I want to provide more opportunities for Okinawan communities and beyond to learn about neurodivergence and health through evidence-based knowledge.
One of the experiences that shaped this decision was my journey to earning a Lifestyle Medicine certification last year. During this process, I realized how educational barriers - academic requirements, language, and financial constraints - can prevent access to learning opportunities.
The certification required a master’s degree or higher in a related field, and all study materials, exams, and mandatory conferences were conducted entirely in English. On top of that, the cost of medical certification exams was extremely high, making it financially inaccessible for many.
I almost gave up due to these economic challenges. However, thanks to a prestigious scholarship from the Plant-based Prevention Of Disease (P-POD) in the US, I was able to attend a medical conference and continue my path to certification in Lifestyle Medicine.
In gratitude, I recorded a video message for P-POD, where I spoke about the significant information gap in Okinawa and other regions regarding neurodivergence and health, and my commitment to bridging this gap. (Please see the attached video.)
This experience strengthened my belief that learning opportunities should not be restricted by financial or language barriers. This is why I decided to launch the Yui-Maru Scholarship.
📌 How to Apply for the Yui-Maru Scholarship
If you are from Okinawa and would like to apply for the scholarship, please reach out for more details!
📖 About the "Neurodivergence & Health" Course
This course is the result of over a year of research, practice, and personal experience, incorporating insights from more than 1,000 academic papers.
We will explore the complex relationships between neurodivergence and cognitive, social, emotional, mental, and physical health.
📚 Post graduate-Level Learning - Accessible in Japanese (and English)!
Most neurodivergence-related information is primarily published in English and Western contexts, making it difficult to access in Japanese. This course is designed to break those language barriers and provide evidence-based knowledge combined with real-life experiences of neurodivergent individuals.
🌏 Designed for All Learners
Academic concepts are simplified and explained in an easy-to-understand way, making the course accessible to learners from all backgrounds. It provides an educational experience comparable to graduate-level neurodivergence courses abroad - in Japanese. Dr Kana Grace is also a guest lecturer for the Autism Postgraduate Course at the National Autistic Society and Sheffield Hallam University in the UK.
🤝 Comprehensive Support System
Throughout the 5-week course, you will have access to a supportive community and dedicated Q&A sessions to enhance your learning experience.
📩 For more details, check the flyer or contact us!
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