I am honored to have such an opportunity to be one of the committee members of the 9th LKY Japan Study Trip. It is an amazing and unforgettable trip for me!
First of all, we visited Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) in Kyoto. The vivid explanations of the lecturers left us a deep impression. The students of National University of Singapore also had great interest in the production and operation of robots. Everyone was asking questions positively and interested in interacting with the robot During the free time in the afternoon, we went to Mountain Arashi, a famous attraction in Kyoto. Everyone fully experienced the beautiful natural scenery of Japan, and the students of LKY also relaxed the exhaustion due to the all night flight. In the evening, we enjoyed the non-verbal performance show which is full of Japanese style in Gear Theatre. Everyone was immersed in the wonderful performance and made a perfect end to the first day of this Japan Study Trip. On the second day of the Kyoto tour, we visited Kyoto’s most famous Kinkakuji Temple and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and exchanged with the students of Kyoto University. Accompanied by the students of Kyodai made this trip more memorable and wonderful.
Before this trip started, as the committee members we held several meetings to discuss the specific schedule of the trip. In order to allow the students of the National University of Singapore to better communicate with Japanese professors and students, we organized and planned the Singapore-Japan Friendship Reception and GraSPP Day. On the one hand, in order to let LKY students communicate with Japanese congressmen, government officials and other policy makers to understand the modern political system and policy making process of Japanese society, and to enhance understanding of Japan. On the other hand, through GraSPP Day, LKY students and GraSPP students interacted and discussed each other academically. LKY students were divided into 3 groups, and GraSPP students were divided into 2 groups and held the presentation about the Japan’s current situation on innovation and interacted through Q&A. In the panel discussion session, the professors gave wonderful lectures about “How could universities foster innovation and entrepreneurship?” and pushed GraSPP Day to a climax. At the dinner party, everyone enjoyed talking about the beautiful scenery and places that have been visited in both Tokyo and Kyoto, as well as the visiting of Japanese digital and Venture Company, such as Teamlab office and WOTA.
In the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, we learned about the history and modernity of Japan. Through the deep cultural and ideological exchanges, as well as the understanding about the innovation and new business models of Japanese companies, made this study trip profound and valuable.
As one of the organizers of this trip, there are many trivial things to be dealt with in the preparation of the previous period. For instance, the selection of participants and the ordering of food and drinks and the production of posters have taken me a lot of time and energy. Moreover, as a Chinese student, organizing and communicating in two non-native languages, Japanese and English, was also a big challenge for me. However, during this trip, I enjoyed communicating with the students from Singapore. And I saw that everyone enjoyed the trip and felt that my contribution was worthwhile.
