Kanta Mizuno, a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Sport Sciences, studied abroad at the University of Birmingham, England, from September to November 2024. This program was possible through the support of Waseda University’s Super Global University (SGU) Project. Mr. Kanta conducted his dissertation research activities at the University of Birmingham under the guidance of Prof. Christopher Ring. Please read about his experience below.
Ⅰ. The travel support
From 1 September to 30 November 2024, I had the great opportunity to participate in research activities at Professor Christopher Ring’s laboratory at the University of Birmingham. My travel was generously supported by Waseda University’s Super Global University (SGU) AY2024 Travel Grant Program. This program covered my round-trip airfare and accommodation expenses for three months. The primary purpose of this trip was to learn about Prof. Ring’s research and to prepare for future research collaborations. During my time there, I successfully achieved this goal and had the chance to gain other fantastic experiences, such as engaging in discussions with promising young researchers.
Ⅱ. The University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham has the School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences (SportExR), leading the field of sports science. In 2024, it ranked 6th in the QS World University Rankings for sports-related subjects, with sports psychology being a key contributor to its high ranking.
The campus was iconic. The tower in the campus’s center is a Symbol of the University of Birmingham. The red-brick buildings looked like castles, adding a sense of grandeur. The library, open 24 hours a day, was always full of highly motivated students. Additionally, this university is renowned for its dinosaur studies, and there is a museum on campus.
Ⅲ. Studying at the University of Birmingham
I had the privilege of working with Professor Christopher Ring, a top sports psychology researcher. He is not only exceptionally kind but also an amazing person. He always has a giving spirit and is deeply committed to mentoring his students and young researchers from around the world. He allowed me to discuss research for around two hours daily with a coffee, and welcomed me to have dinner with his family.
The research I learned was the combined training of cognitive and physical load, called brain endurance training (BET), to build resilience against mental fatigue. The number of papers on BET has been rapidly increasing since 2021, mainly by Prof. Ring. I learned BET with a nice routine: reading research papers, asking questions for Prof. Ring directly, coming up with ideas, and engaging in further discussions. Based on this great cycle, I could deeply understand BET and develop new research ideas for future collaborations. After starting the new term in October, I had the opportunity to talk to his students. They are brilliant and inspired me. I supported one student in setting up the experiment and learned about running a study.
Ⅳ. Life in Birmingham
I loved Birmingham City. The area around the university is green, similar to the Tokorozawa campus. The houses looked like The World of Magic. During this trip, I also worked on completing my PhD thesis. It was challenging, and caused me considerable hardship during that time. I struggled significantly. The weather was often cloudy, which brought about negative emotions, but it also made sunny days feel even more precious. Sometimes, I ate a Japanese Katsu curry on campus to remind me of home. On weekends, I visited several places in the UK. The World of Magic in the Oxford. Seeing a musical in London and watching a soccer competition in Manchester. These beautiful spots, along with Prof. Ring’s and his family’s kindness and warmth gave me the strength and energy to persevere.
Ⅴ. Conclusion
In conclusion, these three months have provided me with enhanced research skills, knowledge, and personal growth. These moments of difficulty, challenge, and loneliness ultimately strengthened my resilience against mental fatigue, much like the principles of BET. I sincerely thank Professor Ring for his guidance, inspiration, and generosity. I am sure that the valuable experience I learned from him changed my life. I also thank my supervisor at Waseda University, Professor Hiroaki Masaki, for giving me this opportunity and the Tokorozawa Office at Waseda University for their support.
