Seeing is believing: What I learned through the OSU visit
The most impressive memory of my time at the OSU was that I experienced its overwhelming scale firsthand. While we live in a world where we can access the information about OSU anywhere via the Internet, what I experienced on site was far more valuable than what I had searched for in advance. To be more specific, I recognized how having 4 times as many students as Tsukuba students impacted their university life. For example, only one basketball game at OSU accommodated nearly 20,000 spectators, giving it the atmosphere of a professional game. Regarding other club activities, I realized that students at OSU join some groups which match their specific interest. This ensures that no one is left behind and contributes to an inclusive community.
Through the visit, I became convinced that there is some authentic on-site information which we cannot get through a computer screen. I’ll keep in mind that whenever I get interested in something, I should feel free to explore it even if it is outside my country.
During my stay in Ohio, I also had a wonderful opportunity to meet an OSU professor who plays an important role in my major. I introduced my recent research activity from ARE program (Advancing Researcher Experience) and also shared my future goal. The professor was kind enough to listen to me, and to encourage me a lot. Through our conversation, I realized that doing research in the US as a graduate student is a realistic possibility, and I have a chance to try. Now I’ll soon be a senior student and dedicate myself to new research work related to condensed matter physics. I’ll do my best to broaden my horizons for the future.
