University of Toronto
Tom Nguyen (Sato Lab, Undergrad 3)
"As a student researcher in the FrontierLab Mini Program at Osaka University, I had an incredible opportunity to immerse myself in cutting-edge research and experience life in a new country. My project focused on anomaly detection using GANs in the Sato Lab, where I received invaluable support and guidance from my supervisors and colleagues. They quickly became not only mentors but also friends, making my time in the lab enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Beyond the lab, the flexible schedule allowed me to explore Osaka and nearby cities like Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Whether it was feeding the bowing deer in Nara, visiting the historic temples of Kyoto, or experiencing the vibrant firework festivals in Osaka, every day was filled with adventure and discovery. The staff at Osaka University made everything from housing to transportation seamless, allowing me to focus on my research and exploration without any worries. My summer in Japan was truly unforgettable, and I would highly recommend the FrontierLab Mini Program at Osaka University to anyone looking to combine meaningful research with an amazing cultural experience."
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Deni Straus (Sanada Lab, Undergrad 3)
"My summer in Osaka was an experience I'll never forget. I received great support and guidance in my research project from my supervisor and had lots of flexibility that allowed me to explore Japan. My lab-mates were also extremely friendly and welcoming, and helped me not only with research, but navigating Japanese life as well. This experience was my first time away from home, so it was completely new to me and a bit challenging at first, but I had great support from my lab-mates, supervisor, friends, and Osaka University staff, who made my transmission as seamless as possible. Overall, I had a great research environment, got to explore many wonderful places, and was able to make lots of friends along the way. I would highly recommend the FrontierLab Mini program at Osaka University to anyone looking to develop their research skills as well as experience Japan's beautiful sites, people, and culture."
Mai (Jenny) Ly (Aoi Lab, Undergrad 3)
"Participating in the FrontierLab Mini Program has been a truly transformative experience for me. My summer abroad proved both academically enriching and personally rewarding. I had the opportunity to work at the Aoi Lab at Osaka University’s Graduate School of Engineering Science. My research centered on gait transition in human locomotion, specifically comparing transitions from walking to running and vice versa. I had lots of fun at the welcome/farewell parties that my lab hosted, and it was also exciting to explore a field that I had not encountered before.
In addition to my lab work, I engaged in language learning programs such as Japanese Hour and English Hour, where we practiced conversational skills in the respective languages. Learning Japanese was a rewarding challenge, and I am eager to improve my fluency. Despite the intense summer heat, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring different parts of Japan such as Nara, Kobe, Kyoto, and Tokyo, with a standout experience being my day at Tokyo DisneySea. Throughout this experience, I made numerous friends and look forward to staying in touch and visiting them on future trips to Japan. The warmth and hospitality of the Osaka University community greatly enhanced my experience. Overall, my time in Japan was an unforgettable adventure that seamlessly combined academic growth, personal discovery, and cultural exploration. "
National University of Singapore
Goh Zhi Zheng (Okano Lab, Undergrad 3)
"This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in Osaka University's FrontierLab Mini Program for eight weeks. With little to no research background, I was eager to immerse myself in the research environment and experience firsthand what a research career might entail. Fortunately, I was assigned to Okano Lab, which specializes in Transport Phenomena. My research focused on solving simple heat transfer and fluid dynamics problems using Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), a machine learning tool that integrates physical laws into neural networks. This experience gave me valuable insights into how machine learning can be applied to complex physical problems. However, the most memorable aspect of my time in Osaka was the research and the relationships I built. I was mentored directly by master students in the lab, and our shared experiences led to strong friendships. Instead of being a barrier, language served as a bridge that connected us. As eager as I was to learn Japanese, they were equally interested to learn English. I deeply cherish these friendships and look forward to visiting Japan again to reconnect with them. Beyond the lab, I eagerly explored Japan's rich culture and history. I visited Nara, where I wandered among the famous deer and admired the serene temples. In Kobe, I was captivated by the stunning harbour views and the city's unique blend of tradition and modernity. Kyoto offered a glimpse into Japan's past, with its ancient temples, historic streets, and tranquil gardens. In Osaka, I tried batting for the first time and participated in a yukata dressing event at the university, where I embraced the opportunity to learn about and engage in Japanese customs. Overall, my experience in Osaka University's FrontierLab Mini Program was unforgettable. The research, the friendships, and the cultural experiences combined to make these eight weeks some of the most enriching of my life. I will always cherish the memories made and the lessons learned during this program."
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Cheong Yu Han Vitus (Kawahara Lab, Undergrad 3)
"Participating in the Frontier Minilab Programme in Osaka University has been an incredibly enriching experience. I had the opportunity to work with Professor Kawahara, Master and PhD students in Kawahara Lab and apply my knowledge on the applications of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. With their guidance, I was able to complete my contribution to the field of research! The work schedule is also very flexible, allowing my friends and I to visit places near Osaka, such as Kobe, Nara and Kyoto. I am thankful to Osaka University for allowing me to experience Japanese Culture and making new friends through numerous events such as Japan Hour and Tanabata Festival!"
John Ashwin Letchmanan (Harada Lab, Undergrad 3)
"The FrontierLab Mini Program was an amazing experience that not only deepened my understanding of the research I was involved in but also allowed me to immerse myself in Japanese culture. I made wonderful Japanese friends whom I still keep in contact with today. They introduced me to various places, shared Japanese traditions, and of course, let me explore the local cuisine. The program provided valuable insight into how research is conducted in my field and gave me the opportunity for hands-on experience. It was truly a blend of academic growth and cultural enrichment that I will always cherish."
