Individual Impression

　I would like to thank the organizer for giving me an opportunity to participate the program. I would also like to show my greatest appreciation to the Chinese students, Prof Wu and other staff. The program was a great success and would not happen without your great effort.

　At first, I am going to talk about our presentations on the second-day. It was one of the main events in our program.

　Before visiting Beijing, I prepared to give my presentation. I practiced it many times. But I became nervous because all of speakers gave wonderful presentations. The contents of their studies appealed very much to me, although I felt lost at times because I do research in quite a different field. But I listened very carefully to their story. There were lively discussions at the end of all the presentations.

　During the interval, Japanese members introduced the “young girls’ festival” and distributed some special snacks. When I stood up for my presentation, I carelessly knocked the snacks over. So I became more nervous.

　However I did my best. After my speech, I responded to some questions. I understood that some people were interested in my study, and I was very glad.

　Secondly, I am going to talk about the Beijing Opera. I was able to study a little about traditional Chinese culture through enjoying the opera. I had never seen Beijing Opera before. I was impressed by the stage very much. They had beautiful singing voices and tough bodies. Even if I could not understand Chinese, I could image the story because the faces of the actors were expressive. And some people did very difficult movements on the stage. We drank Chinese tea and had some sweets during the performance. I will not forget this wonderful experience.

　Thirdly, I am going to talk about the tour of Summer Palace. I learned the relationship between Chinese history and Japanese history in this tour. I was very surprised that the history textbook of China differed from that of Japan. In China, they believed that the cause of defeat in the Sino-Japanese War was that the Emperor had used the money that was meant for the navy himself. I had never heard such a story. I was interested in Chinese history. I thought that I want to study it more. There is an artificial big lake in the garden. One of my friends told me that people could skate on the lake in winter because the lake completely freezes. There are many traditional structures around the lake. They are very beautiful and are conserved with care. I took many pictures of them.

　Finally I am going to talk about our Chinese friends. I had a nice time with my friends in Tsinghua University. I was much surprised about the extent of this university and the size of structures in it. Specially, I was glad that I could see Jo and Li again in their university. Jo was a leader of this program. It was the first opportunity for her. But I think that all events ended in success. I enjoyed this trip very much and I studied about science communication and Chinese culture. Our friendship became deeper and I made some new friends. Now I miss all of Chinese members. I hope we will have some opportunities again such as “AsOBiNet 2007 in Beijing”. We promised to keep in touch with each other. In next winter, we will have a new event for the international exchange program. So we can see other members again and we can increase the members of AsOBiNet. This network is spreading rapidly in many countries. Would you like to join a friend, too?