スポーツ科学研究科・博士課程のWu Yunfanさんが、2023年12月から2024年3月までカナダ・ブリティッシュコロンビア大学に留学しました。このプログラムはスーパーグローバル大学創成支援事業による支援を受けて実施されたもので、現地ではWu Yunfanさんの研究テーマに基づき、同大学のProf. Guy Faulknerから研究指導を受け、調査活動を行いました。以下、Wu Yunfanさんによる英文のレポートです。
1. Travel support
I had heard about this travel support program for years since enteringthe master’s program. Due to COVID-19, it was postponed for some time but it became available again. Luckily, I got this chance. I am grateful to use this chance to have a meaningful exchange experience. The travel program is generous and helps us cover the transportation and recommendations, which greatly helped me. Especially in Vancouver, rent is very expensive. This was a valuable chance to broaden my horizons and exchange culture and knowledge. I can see how another university and lab conducts their research and learn something from them. Also, communicating with students and professors helped me to network which may lead to future cooperation.
（バンクーバーの街並み）
2. About the University of British Columbia
UBC is a top-ranked global university for education, research, and innovation. It has provided opportunities for individuals with a vision to create a better world since 1915. The School of Kinesiology, where I went on the exchange, is located on the Vancouver campus. Kinesiology studies human movement, sport, and health. UBC School of Kinesiology was ranked 3rd worldwide (1st in Canada) in 2023 QS Rankings for sports science, studies, and management. The Vancouver campus is huge, like a small town, and it is in the west of Vancouver. It is surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean, and on the remaining side is a forest. The campus is wild and natural, with many parks and green plants. You can see many cute animals, such as birds, squirrels, Canada geese, and even a coyote. It is huge, and the facilities are spread out. Sometimes, I lost my way, and it takes time to walk from building to building, lab to station. The campus is vibrant and energetic and filled with a sports-like atmosphere. Every week has various activities. Many activities encourage people to pay attention to physical and mental health and use sports to boost their minds. Move more, study more.
3. Studying at UBC
I came to the Population Physical Activity Lab of the School of Kinesiology under the guidance of Dr. Guy Faulkner. Professor Faulkner is the Chair of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research-Public Health Agency of Canada (CIHR-PHAC) in Applied Public Health. His research has focused on developing and evaluating physical activity interventions and physical activity and mental health. The lab is medium-sized and includes master’s and Ph.D. students, supervisors, research managers, postdocs, and data assistants. The Pop-PA Lab focuses on how physical activity can impact mental health as a further approach to improving mental health and well-being. It studies how to design, deliver, and promote physical activity initiatives for the general population. Most of the research in this lab is mixed methods, which involves designing an intervention (usually exercise) and asking participants to attend and follow up with surveys and interviews. During my stay, I cooperated with other members to conduct a laboratory pilot experiment about testing the step validity of a smart health vest called Hexoskin. The lab also organized social activities like curling and frisbee golf. I really enjoyed it. I took a class on quantitative methodology, which had a good atmosphere and active student participation. The discussions were qualitative and interactive. The UBC also organized the exchange students to do presentations.
（学内写真）
4. Life in Vancouver
Vancouver’s history is as rich and varied as its landscape. From its early days as a colonial outpost to its current status as a bustling metropolis, the city has always been shaped by its relationship with nature. The mild ocean climate and abundant natural resources have attracted people worldwide, creating a diverse and vibrant community. The city’s proximity to mountains and beaches offers residents a unique opportunity to engage with the environment, whether skiing in the winter or swimming in the summer. Vancouver’s history is also reflected in its architecture, from the indigenous buildings that speak to the area’s original inhabitants to the modern skyscrapers that reflect its economic growth. Festivals and restaurants showcase the city’s cultural diversity, offering a taste of everything from Hindu, the Middle East, Mexico to Asia cuisine. Vancouver is alive with motion; it’s a city pulsating with energy. Every corner resonates with people jogging and dogs bounding alongside their owners.
（バンクーバーの夜の街並み）
5. Conclusion
In wrapping up this report, it’s clear that the travel grant’s support has been invaluable. A heartfelt thanks for the encouragement and resources provided! My learning journey at UBC has been immensely enriching. Moreover, embracing physical activity as a source of mental wellness is key. It’s not about the quantity but the quality of the activity you choose. Find joy in movement, and let that joy be your guide to a healthier, happier you. Incorporate physical activity seamlessly into our daily lives for lasting benefits! I will keep researching this.
（ラドナー時計塔とアーヴィング・K・バーバー学習センター）
