Sustainable Energy in Japan
Choosing to go to Japan to study sustainable energy this summer was one of the best choices I made this past year! There were so many positive outcomes from this trip and I wished that I could have stayed longer. Not only do you study about energy but you get to do it in a whole new and fun way while completing a 5 credit elective course requirement for mechanical engineering.
Even the learning part was a great experience, especially getting to do a lot of lab work instead of just listening to lectures. When I worked in the lab, I could understand each part of the experiment better and ask my Japanese lab partners a question anytime. I worked on the semiconducting gas sensors lab and I learned a lot about how they work. Before, sensors seemed magical but now, they make a lot more sense. Working with my graduate Japanese lab partners was a very enjoyable experience. They were both so kind and helpful. They tried their best to explain everything in English and they were with us through every step, making sure to help us with everything.
Traveling to a different country to study with your friends and classmates is very exciting. I got a lot closer to many of the people that went on that trip and made many new friends. Not only new with the people that went with me from UW bothell but also Japanese students and other international students that were at Ehime University. The social aspects of the trip was one of the best parts, even for a shy guy like me.
Experiencing Japan and their culture was another big part of the trip. Not only do you learn a lot from the Japanese people that you work with at the university but there are scheduled trips and events in Matsuyama city and also a trip to Hiroshima. In Matsuyama we went to the Matsuyama Castle, visited a gas company and toured a simulation nuclear plant, attended and participated in a Japanese festive and more.
This trip was the highlight of my summer. It was one of the best experiences and I would love to do it again. This trip made me want to experience more unique things and not just do the same thing as always. 🙂
