Patrice Francis is a graduate student at the American University School of International Service (SIS) pursuing a Master's in International Affairs. Her regional focus is the Asia-Pacific and Latin America, and her research interests include immigration policy, development, and U.S. engagement with Japan, South Korea, and China. Patrice spent her third year of undergraduate study in Japan as a Boren scholar. After she returned from Japan, she graduated from Hampton University with a degree in Psychology. Patrice has spent the past few years working at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. At SIS, Patrice serves as a graduate research assistant for research focused on Korea-Japan relations. After graduation, Patrice hopes to help advance U.S. foreign policy for the Indo-Pacific region as a public servant.