スポーツ科学研究科・博士課程のリ グさんが、2022年12月から2023年3月まで南洋理工大学に交換留学をしました。このプログラムは、両校の二国間連携協定に基づき、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す。
以下、英文によるリさんのレポートです。
Ⅰ. About the travel support
From December 15, 2022, to March 15, 2023, I visited the Physical Education and Sports Science at Nanyang Technological University sponsored through Waseda University’s Top Global University Program. The main purpose of this visit was to collect data for a collaborative study with Associate Professor Stephen Burns and his brilliant students. And studying with this excellent academic group during the past three months was of significance for me to have various insights and expand my experience in studying aboard.
Ⅱ. About Nanyang Technological University
The main campus of Nanyang Technological University is located in the western part of Singapore and the medical campus is in Novena, Singapore’s healthcare district. Physical Education and Sports Science, National Institute of Education, is inside the main campus. If you take a walk inside the main campus, the vegetation-covered landscape will bring you a refreshing breath and a shade protected from the tropical sun. The awning canopy between most buildings provides people with care going out under the daily rain in Singapore. Reputed as one of the world’s top universities, Nanyang Technological University attracts thousands of students from worldwide. You are very encouraged by surrounded friendly smiles and various discussions everywhere.
A view of National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore
The Hive at Nanyang Technological University(NTU)
Ⅲ. About studying at Nanyang Technological University
Studying with Dr Burns and his group is a wonderful experience for me. As an International student, I have been studying at Waseda University for three and half years and this is my first time collaborating a study with another laboratory outside Japan after the worldwide pandemic. There, Dr Burns and his staff kindly guided me through some research and experiment skills. With their kind assistance, I was able to integrate into the collective and initiate recruitment and data collection. Also, most experiments and some classes were conducted and taken in shared laboratories. Expecting to gather experience in research, I also got to learn about their good management and efficient cooperation skills.
Particularly, it was a very good opportunity that I could have talks with different postgraduate students and research staff, who are investigating different research topics. The stories of how ideas come out and how obstacles have been figured out we shared are cherishing treasures of this journey for me as well. Moreover, I attended an open talk event which invited Professor Kong. She kindly shared her work experience in academia which encouraged me to consider a further career. Besides studying at Nanyang Technological University, I was also able to visit Dr Jason Lee and his team at the National University of Singapore, which expand my experience in different universities. I visited their climate chamber and observed their experiments. I am delighted to have more kinds of connections. The three-month studying life was exciting and I had a different view of how actively other peer groups perform.
Ⅳ. Life in Singapore
Life in Singapore was excellent. My arrival date was close to Christmas and we had a Christmas party in the laboratory with a lot of joy. And Dr Burns also kindly invited me to the Chinese New Year party with his family where I met more new friends. I also joined the BBQ with Dr Jason Lee and his group and we did “fish plate”, a traditional custom for fortune in the new year. On holidays and weekends, I went to explore some scenic spots in Singapore, like Sentosa, Marina by the Bay, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Chinatown, and Night Safari. And I also had fun with lab members by visiting The Gardens by the Bay. Singapore is a well-developed country with a philosophy of green sustainability. It was a great time there.
Night Safari Visiting the Garden by the Bay with Lab members
Ⅴ. To Conclude
Finally, I would like to acknowledge Dr Stephen Burns for his supervision and for taking good care of me during the past three months at Nanyang Technological University. Also, I appreciate my supervisor at Waseda, Professor Masashi Miyashita, for providing this good opportunity. This journey helped me to broaden my horizon in both study and life experience. I would also like to thank all the staff, laboratory members at Nanyang Technological University and administrative staff at Tokorozawa Campus, Waseda University and all the friends I met in Singapore. Thank you for bringing me a wonderful trip!
Christmas party with Lab members
Marina by the Bay
