I believe that studying abroad was not just about learning a language, but also a valuable experience that will be connected to my specialty and future career.

現地の人との交流について印象に残ったことは？
How was your experience interacting with local people? 

By touring American university dormitories and interacting with students, I was able to get a firsthand look at their daily lives and attitudes towards learning. It was particularly impressive to see the students actively discussing with each other and clearly stating their opinions. This is an atmosphere that is rarely seen in Japanese university life, and I was impressed by the attitude of respecting each other’s different opinions. In addition to their academic studies, by listening to their talks about club activities, I realized the diversity of ways that university students spend their time.

Through this exchange, I strongly felt the importance of not just learning English, but also of learning together with people who have different values, and I began to want to be more proactive in engaging in dialogue with others.

プログラム期間中の活動で特に印象に残ったこと
Please write about what left a strong impression on you during the program period. 

What particularly impressed me about this activity was learning about the differences in the American medical and insurance systems. I learned that medical costs are so high there that some people are unable to receive the treatment they need, and I was surprised at the difference between the system in Japan and the US. This is a social issue that directly affects everyday life, and the comparison with Japan, which has a universal health insurance system, made me think deeply. Additionally, when I visited a food bank, I was able to learn how food assistance is provided in the local community. I felt that there is a growing need in Japan for a system that supports society through volunteering and donations. Through these experiences, I was able to understand the differences in social systems and gain a perspective to compare the efforts being made to solve problems in each country.

プログラム中の経験で将来のキャリアのために役立つと思うこと
What was a useful experience for your future career among your experiences during the program?

The thing that I feel contributed most to my personal growth during the program was the experience of attending lectures in English and actually asking questions. Understanding specialized content in English and communicating my thoughts to others was a big challenge, but actually putting it into practice gave me confidence. In particular, when asking questions, I realized that it is more important to think about how to express my opinion than to worry about whether I can use correct English. Through this experience, I learned that it is important to actively communicate when working in an international environment in the future. In the future, I would like to hone English as a practical skill rather than simply learning it as a language, and apply it to my field of expertise.

次年度以降、同じプログラムに参加する学生に伝えたいこと
Comments for students who will participate in the same program next year.

What I would like to convey to future students participating in the same program is the importance of not being hesitant and taking positive action even if you are not confident in your English. While studying abroad, opportunities to interact with others will be limited unless you take the initiative to speak up. American students will try to understand you even if your English is not perfect, so it is important to be willing to make the first move. Furthermore, taking on challenges without fear of failure brings you closer to others, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling experience. In fact, I was also anxious at first, but once I mustered up the courage to speak to them, I was able to expand my interactions and learn something valuable. I strongly believe that valuing positivity over perfection is the key to getting the most out of this program.

渡航前・渡航後のCOILを含め、プログラム全体を通しての感想
Feedback on the program, including COILs before and after trips to the US/Japan.

This program allowed me to study in English subjects outside my field of expertise, such as medicine, regional development, and international cooperation, which was a great inspiration for me. By taking on a topic that is rarely encountered in normal university life, I was able to broaden my horizons and realize the importance of multifaceted thinking. Furthermore, by experiencing lectures and student life locally, I gained a deeper understanding of the value of being immersed in a different culture and educational environment. Overall, I believe that studying abroad was not just about learning a language, but also a valuable experience that will be connected to my specialty and future career.