I am a first-year undergraduate student in the Interdisciplinary Engineering Program at the University of Tsukuba. I had the wonderful experience of accompanying students from Ohio State University during their visit to Tsukuba. Engaging in conversations with them provided a valuable opportunity to interact with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Together, we worked on a presentation about implementing smart cities for sustainable agriculture in Japan. This collaboration deepened my understanding of the societal differences between America and Japan. I also enjoyed visiting the labs with them. We experimented with levitating a water droplet using sound waves and observed a professor demonstrating the measurement of concrete strength. Additionally, we watched a presentation on Nuclear Fusion Energy in the Plasma Science and Engineering laboratory.
The ISS program gave me the chance to interact with students from various majors and educational backgrounds, offering insights into different research topics. This experience has been invaluable for reflecting on my own future research interests. Finally, during the farewell party, there was a surprise performance of glowstick dancing by the University of Tsukuba Club, Empire of Japan. The farewell party was a great opportunity for deeper interactions and I created many memorable moments during it.
