I visited Ohio State University through the Inter-University Exchange Project. My first visit to a university abroad was an eye-opening experience. The campus was vast, surrounded by nature, and equipped with excellent research and learning facilities, offering a fresh atmosphere considerably different from universities in Japan. Each student at Ohio State University was able to fully explore their curiosity within this environment, taking an active role in their learning and research. This greatly influenced my motivation for my own studies. Unlike in Japan, the university hosted a diverse range of students of various ages, genders, regions, languages, and disabilities. Each student was able to choose their own learning environment and methods, and there was a strong sense of pride in their own identities and mutual respect, contributing to a better university experience. I believe that such an environment and the relationships among students are very important, especially as Japanese society becomes increasingly diverse. Additionally, exchanging opinions and discussing research with local students was incredibly beneficial, greatly broadening my perspective on research and life. Participating in lectures related to my field of P.E. education, I gained insight into a different approach to physical education, focusing on long-term exercise habits, which expanded my understanding of my specialty. The visit to Ohio State University provided me with new perspectives, the discovery of originality in my research, and had a significant impact on both my future research activities and my personal life.
