My motivation to study abroad stems from my experiences of encountering diverse perspectives through overseas travel and interactions with international students.

When I visited Thailand as an elementary school student, I was shocked to discover that Japanese common sense and perspective didn't apply at all.
Despite being just a flight away, the fact that everything—language, customs, and ways of thinking—was completely different interested me as a child, and I have maintained this strong interest with cross-cultural communication ever since.

In university, I have had many opportunities to speak with international students, which allowed me to face fascinating cultures and perspectives that don't exist in Japan. I was impressed by the fact that even while sharing the same space and having similar experiences, our ways of seeing the world were completely different. Through these experiences, I came to believe that living in a different cultural environment during my university years would enable me to think more flexibly about my future options.

Additionally, my purpose for studying abroad is to deepen my knowledge of music and audio engineering in America, which is a place with a different musical culture. I have had a strong interest in technology-enhanced music and art since childhood, and have been engaged in computer-based mixing and music production that uses acoustic technology since middle school. While I have been self-studying audio engineering and music production, I want to acquire more specialized knowledge and skills through studying abroad.

In the distribution of music and audio, many of the newest technologies and ideas originate from America. By learning the latest recording and mixing techniques used in such environments and gaining hands-on experience, I aim to acquire practical skills that will directly contribute to my future career.

The most impressive experience throughout my study abroad is the role of "communities".
The University of Wyoming is in Laramie, a small town with many different communities.

For instance, the teacher who conducts my audio technology class works to expand and support the music community in Laramie and also encourages students to attend concerts and live performances. When I actually went to a concert in town, I noticed that musicians and listeners interact directly, and these connections often lead to the next concert or new musical experiences.

Of course, there are also communities for exchange students, theater, and drawing. In addition, religious groups and local organizations provide places to eat and act as central hubs for their communities. Having grown up in a city in Japan and experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, I was not very familiar with the concept of community at first. However, this experience gave me a valuable opportunity to truly appreciate the importance of in-person interaction and the potential for new ideas and connections to emerge through engaging with others.

What I found really interesting is that, despite the cultural difference between Japan’s collectivism and America’s individualism, it is actually in the U.S. that one feels a closer sense of community. During a lesson, my instructor asked me, “How do Japanese artists interact with one another?” and I hesitated to answer. I think this is partly influenced by the general extroversion of Americans and the introversion of Japanese people, but I think that in the U.S., people actively join communities and build support networks, which allows them to maintain personal freedom while avoiding isolation.

It has been about a year since I started my study abroad program, and I am happy to say that I have successfully completed this experience.

The weather in Wyoming this year was milder than usual, and the temperatures were not very different from those in Japan.
Although I was nervous about living abroad for the first time, this environment helped me gradually adjust to my new life.

During my time here, I studied dance, including tap dance and ballet, and it allowed me to explore physical expression that I had no experience with in Japan. I also had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge and skills in my major field, music technology and audio engineering, through classes and lessons. Beyond learning skills, I often thought about how I could use those skills in the future and how I could contribute to society through my work. These experiences encouraged me to think more seriously about my future career and goals.

One of the most memorable differences was the style of education. In Japan, classes are often lecture-based. In contrast, classes in the United States are much more interactive and rely on students’ participation and hands-on activities. At first, I felt uncomfortable being asked for my opinions so frequently, but over time I became more confident and learned to contribute actively in class.
Through this environment, I learned the importance of having my own opinions in any situation.

Before coming to the United States, I only had a vague idea of what I wanted to do in the future. Now, I want to help create a society where artists and creative professionals, including musicians, are recognized and valued more appropriately for their talents. Compared to Japan, I felt that the United States has a stronger appreciation and support system for the arts. At the same time, I also learned that pursuing art does not always provide a stable income. Because of this, I have become interested in studying business and management in the future so that I can help create sustainable systems that support art and culture and communicate their value to society.

A major reason for this new goal is the people I met in the United States. Their positive attitudes toward art and their hope for its future inspired me so much. The relationships and experiences I gained throughout this program helped me grow both personally and academically.

I am truly grateful for this opportunity, and I hope to use what I have learned and experienced to continue growing and to make a positive contribution to society in the future.