Students’ Voice: Mid-term Study Abroad at the University of Nebraska

１．Has Your Approach to Learning Changed Compared to Before Studying Abroad?

　　♦　I do not have specific evidence to prove it, but I feel that my English skills, particularly my listening ability, have improved.

　　♦　Overall, there was no significant change in my grades. However, at my host institution, I conducted research on corn and sorghum,
　　　　which are major crops in Nebraska, and was able to broaden my knowledge of plant science. In addition, I had the opportunity
　　　　to learn advanced research techniques that are difficult to experience in Japan, working through challenges together with lab members
　　　　through trial and error. Furthermore, through interactions with lab members and friends I met in daily life, I was able to improve
　　　　my English communication skills.

2．What Did You Actively Work On During Your Study Abroad, and What Were the Outcomes?

　　♦　During my study abroad, I focused on my research activities. Specifically, I worked on a project aimed at improving nitrogen use efficiency
　　　　in corn. With guidance from PhD students and an assistant professor, I cultivated plant materials that I had not worked with before and
　　　　conducted phenotypic and genotypic analyses.

　　♦　I also had the opportunity to work on constructing a CRISPR-Cas9 vector for stable transformation in sorghum. Sorghum is an important crop known
　　　　for its drought tolerance and high biomass productivity; however, its transformation efficiency is extremely low, which makes gene function analysis challenging.
　　　　Having previously worked on plant transformation and genome editing, I was interested in learning more about sorghum transformation, which is considered
　　　　technically demanding.
　　　　At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, I joined a laboratory specializing in the transformation of corn and sorghum. Under the guidance of graduate students,
　　　　I learned advanced techniques and experimental methods. While reviewing relevant literature and gaining a better understanding of the experimental system,
　　　　I worked on designing a CRISPR-Cas9 vector, carefully considering target gene selection, gRNA sequences, and promoter design.
　　　　Through these experiences, I was able to deepen my understanding of advanced research methods and gradually build confidence in working on challenging research topics.
　　　　In addition, participating in discussions in English helped me improve both my research and communication skills.

3．When Reflecting on Your Study Abroad Experience, Is There Anything You Feel You Should Have Done Differently?

　　♦　I feel that my time abroad was very fulfilling because I was able to connect with many people and communicate with them in English. Through daily life, I was exposed to
　　　　various aspects of American culture and values, which became a valuable experience for me.
　　　　In terms of research, experiencing the research environment in the United States and conducting research there myself allowed me to gain a firsthand understanding
　　　　of the local academic atmosphere and approach to research. In some respects, it overlapped with my research in Japan, which helped broaden my perspective.
　　　　At the same time, I feel that it would have been even more meaningful if I had pushed myself further to improve my language skills in a more disciplined way.

　　♦　By placing myself in an environment where I was constantly surrounded by English in both research and daily life, I was able not only to deepen my academic knowledge
　　　　but also to enhance my understanding of the local culture and language. As I experienced growth in ways that exceeded my initial expectations, I feel a strong sense
　　　　of satisfaction with this study abroad experience.

4．How Will Your Study Abroad Experience Help Your Future Career?

　　♦　Academically, in addition to improving my language skills, I developed the ability to view research from multiple perspectives through interactions with researchers
　　　　from diverse academic backgrounds. I believe these experiences have had a positive impact on my approach to research and have deepened my overall understanding.

　　♦　Through this study abroad experience, I became more accustomed to engaging in specialized discussions in English. As a result, I am now able to have more in-depth conversations
　　　　with the many international students in my laboratory than before. This experience has not only enhanced my academic understanding but also, I believe, will be helpful for
　　　　communicating smoothly in English in my future workplace starting next year.