I joined classes alongside students at the Ohio State University, attending lectures on the fundamentals of space and the history of space development, as well as group-work–based courses in which we designed our own spacecraft. Since I had always learned and thought about historical events from a Japanese perspective, it felt refreshing to study them from an American point of view. In the group activities, I was particularly impressed by how the students expressed their own opinions while still respecting others, and how they actively showcased their strengths. All of the classes covered advanced material, and as a first-year student at the University of Tsukuba mainly studying foundational subjects such as mathematics and mechanics, it was an invaluable experience for me to study space in a more specialized way.
Another memorable aspect of my time abroad was the kindness I received in daily life. For example, when shop staff or taxi drivers realized I was Japanese, they would greet me with phrases like “Konnichiwa” or “Genki desu ka?” in Japanese, or tell me they wanted to visit Japan. These were small things, but they truly made me happy. From these experiences, I became more interested in other cultures and came to want to help international students or foreign visitors in Japan feel at ease and a little happier.
Through this study abroad program, I truly gained a wealth of experiences and knowledge that I could never have obtained by staying in Japan. I strongly feel that my way of thinking has changed for the better. Although I felt more anxious than excited when I first decided to take on this challenge, in the end I could wholeheartedly say that I was glad I did.
