Spending three weeks in Tsukuba University, Japan really gave me a good experiences as a postgraduate student. On the first day in Japan, I was a bit shocked and trembling because I never experienced the cold weather before. However, at the same time, I was so excited, happy and stunned with the cleanliness, beautiful and peaceful of Japan.
At Tsukuba University, my group were assigned under Utsumi sensei supervision. On the first week, Utsumi sensei show us his laboratory (Laboratory for Aquatic Science), and the regulation and rules that we should follow during our lab work. On the second week, we learnt on method of culturing bacteria sample, DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction and gel electrophoresis. While on the third week we learnt more on the procedure of conducting HPLC and we also try to run our sample by using this HPLC. Both of senpai Li-san and Lu-san were assigned to teach us during our lab work here. They teach us in detailed of each step of each experiment. They are very skilful and helpful and we admire their good lab work technique so much. Beside our experiment, we also learnt on some new regulation in Utsumi’s laboratory which are not practice in our laboratory back in MJIIT,UTM. This include on disposal chemical waste in selective container according to the type of chemical, wash beaker or tube ten times after usage, each equipment must be booked and recorded before use and many others.
On the weekend, we spend our time by exploring around Tsukuba and Tokyo. The first weekend we managed to visit the Imperial Palace and Ueno. We visit the National Science Museum at Ueno and we felt amazed with everything displayed in the museum since they looked so real and so beautiful. Colourful tulips, chirping birds and flowing water at the Ueno Park make us felt so peaceful and tranquil. On the second weekend we had so much fun as we spent the whole day at Tokyo Disneyland. Even though we had to queue and wait for two hours to enter the park, we felt so worth it since we really enjoyed playing all games here. On the last weekend, we went to Asakusa to buy souvenir for our family and friends. There are a lot of cute souvenir sold here and this really make us want to buy all of them. We also stroll around Tsukuba since that was our last weekend here.
Last but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to Tsukuba University and Japan Science and Technology Agency for supporting and allowing me to experience studying in one of the greatest universities in Japan. Chances to visit and participate in this SAKURA exchange program in Tsukuba University make me feel very lucky and happy. I am looking forward to share my experience and culture that I learnt in Tsukuba University so that I can applied it in our Memo-Bio ikohza, MJIIT, UTM.
Thank you.
Warm regards,
Analhuda bt Abdullah Tahir
