As the fourth-year students just completed the graduate school entrance exams, we had a celebration and get-together at Koi-Monji Park, where we held a BBQ.

In response to the requests of the international students, Professor Uchida and a group of willing students went fishing at Koigahama Beach on the Kami-Kamakari Island the day before the BBQ.

Interestingly, both names contain the character “恋” (koi), which means “love” in Japanese, and some students (Matsuo-san) appeared somewhat overwhelmed by this coincidence.

We also had a good time because we invited Mutsuura-san, a doctoral student who is usually conducting research in Hokkaido to join our BBQ.

Furthermore, there was a moment when the international students seasoned and served the fish we caught using recipes from their home countries.

During these events, we engaged in conversations that we don’t often have in the lab, connecting with senior and junior students we hadn’t usually interacted with much before, as well as with international students and professors. It deepened our relationships, I believe.

This year, the Covid-19 situation has changed for the better, and we are gradually regaining the ability to hold events that were not possible during the peak of the pandemic.

Let’s continue to actively organize such events alongside our research work!