Testimonial Essay _ Yumie Nishiyama from Tokyo Institute of Technology
The COVID-19 pandemic forced me to stay at home and in my home
country. This restriction started exactly when I entered Tokyo tech. It was so
disappointing for me because I was thinking of going abroad to study once
during my college years. As it lasted so long, I nearly forgot this dream.
However, at the beginning of my 3rd year, I heard about this program from Prof.
Hayamizu in a lecture I took. It reminded me of the dream. I immediately
started preparing for the program.
There were a lot of first experiences for me even when I was
preparing like taking a Visa by myself, going abroad without my family, living
without my family and with my friends. The biggest one was doing research which
occupies the main part of this program. I participated in Steve Park Research
Group lab and did research about biosensors with my buddies. I didn't know how
to advance research but the buddies and other lab members were so kind that I
could keep up with them. Also, I talked a lot with them while eating lunch and
dinner. Although almost all the things we talked about were really funny and
worthless, sometimes it was interesting and l realized the differences between
Korea and Japan. In addition, what made me happy was many lab members said they
love Japan and some of them have been to Japan or are planning to go.
In this program I made new friends. The friends include Hyelim,
Sojeong, the teacher of Korean language class, the lab members and of course
the roommates, Risako, Tamaha, and Yusuke. I'm glad to meet all of them
especially because I don't have so many friends. I think this is one of the
biggest values for me in this program.
There is one thing I can say doubtlessly. That is this program
changed my mind set in a good way. I'm now more open to the outside world than
before coming here and I’m thinking of going to study abroad again, I haven't
decided where, when, and how long to go though. When it comes true, the
experience here must help me out.
At the end of this essay, I want to say thank you to all persons who
are involved in this program.