The program at Ohio State University provided a valuable opportunity to learn firsthand the significance of studying in an environment where diverse values intersect.
What particularly struck me was the discussion held during the first day’s lecture. While in Japan, a single issue is often viewed in a rather uniform manner, the local students naturally exchanged opinions from the perspectives of various stakeholders. Their breadth and depth of vision made me keenly aware of the importance of considering matters from multiple angles.
However, while participating in those discussions, I also felt a sense of frustration. The language barrier prevented me from accurately conveying the core of my opinions or their subtle nuances. Even though I intellectually understood that different cultures lead to different approaches to debate, this experience made me keenly aware of the difficulty in overcoming that barrier to communicate the essence of my thoughts. It was a profoundly stimulating experience.
This trip provided not only motivation to improve my specialized knowledge and language skills, but also deep insights into collaborating with people from different backgrounds. To those who will participate in the future, I urge you to embrace the challenge without fear and immerse yourselves in days filled with intellectual stimulation.
