What a wonderful program! I can promise. In fact, this is my first time to travel in Japan. As a foreigner compared to Japanese, I worried about a lot of questions. Can I survive here? Is it really tough in Japanese laboratory life and my daily life? Or will I feel alone there? However, all of the questions suddenly disappeared while I entered my lab, Molecular Function Lab. I think that my opinion is consistent to other intern in National institute of Genetics. They were very kind and passionate to me. And all of them are my teachers who helped my project and discussed with data, not only Kanemaki sensei.

Our lab is working on DNA replication, recombination, and repair. And I worked on making a gene MCMDC2, MCM domain containing 2. First, I used a new technique called CRISPR/Cas system to try to make a MCMDC2 knocked out in human cells. Then I try to find the function or the rule of the gene. Although final I could not finish all, I was happy to enjoy in the process of the research because it gave the chance to think about my problems and the methods to resolve them, even getting advices from other members. As a beginner, it was good experience on learning in laboratory.

Besides the life in laboratory, this program also gave me a golden opportunity to expand my international relationships. Because the Kanemaki lab is very close to Kitagawa lab, I can chat with all of the lab members in two labs. I am very lucky that I can speak a little bit Japanese, so I can change language when there were some problems on the culture differences or misunderstanding. In addition, the NIG also irregularly held symposium or seminar, even though summer party to let the intern more chance to chat with other professors and researchers. I also made friends with interns who came from other countries. Not only Japanese, but also I experienced other countries culture and attitude.

I also traveled to other places in Japan, such as Tokyo, Atami, Mt. Fuji, Kamakura, Enoshima, Kyoto, Osaka, and so on. I very love Japanese culture and felt like a real Japanese on their religion. My lab member almost gave me some information for safety and living. Especially when I went to climb the Mt. Fuji, George san and Kohei san borrowed their jackets for me to protect from cold weather in high altitude of Mt. Fuji. And also, when I went to Kyoto, Kohei san acted as a guide to introduce the scene and historic spots in Kyoto. They also liked to take me to many restaurant to taste a lot of Japanese cuisine, such as sushi, ramen, and don. Even though I do not have the favorite food all the time because of my strange personality, I liked to go with them and the food became more delicious than I imagined.

The seventy days have become one of my memories that I never forget. For me, it may just a beginning. But, I think their help and passion can become a good power to be a researcher in the future. I want to thank for all the members in NIG for their good organization and gave me this chance to be an intern in NIG. Thank you very much and wish I will come here again.