When I first entered graduate school, I was inspired by classmates who had previously worked in the industry and then returned to pursue further studies. Witnessing their capabilities motivated me to continuously improve myself. In various courses, I explored different mediums such as dome art and alternate reality games (ARGs) to expand the scope of my creative practice.

Outside of class, I actively participated in academic, educational, and game-related forums to broaden my research perspective. For example, by attending the Taipei Game Developers Forum (TGDF), I gained valuable insights into practical strategies for minimizing the risk of failure in game development, as well as approaches to diversified marketing within the game industry.

To deepen my understanding of Japanese culture, I also enrolled in a course on Nishikawa-ryu Japanese dance, offered by the university’s dance department. For the midterm presentation, I incorporated VR headset-based motion capture to allow a virtual character to perform the “Noss” dance alongside me. This presentation was well received by the Nishikawa family and Professor Nishikawa Toshimi, earning praise for its creativity.

I am particularly eager to study in Japan, a country renowned for its strong sense of design and innovation. I aim to broaden my horizons and enhance my academic and practical skills by engaging with cutting-edge exhibitions and conferences, such as the Osaka-Kansai Expo and TeamLab installations.

After returning to my home country, I intend to continue researching interactive design in the field of new media and games. Through the experience of studying abroad in Japan, I hope to cultivate the independence and adaptability required to face unknown challenges. Japan’s emphasis on detail, etiquette, design, and technology serves as a model for my personal and academic growth. I aspire to integrate what I learn from this experience into my graduation thesis and future research endeavors.