When I was a little child and started to learn the basics of geography, I asked my mother if there was a country that does not look like any other in the world in its uniqueness. "Japan," mom said. Turned interested in a miracle country, I found out that Japan or the Land of the Rising Sun, as it is often called, is an island nation in East Asia. And, of course, the beauty of Japanese culture, its originality could not help attracting me to visit this country someday. A lot of guests from different countries come to admire small Japanese wonders: kabuki theater, colorful kimono, bonsai gardens, puppet theater bunraku, a magnificent art of beautiful geishas.

And so I had a dream.

Many years later, suddenly, I received an invitation for an internship in NIG, and my abstract dream became way more realistic.

I was accepted to Mouse Genomics Resources Lab headed by Koide-sensei. My research topic was somatosensation, in particular, itch transmission, and my project aimed to understand the modulatory system of itch sensitivity such as socially contagious behavior using rodents.

Now, upon finishing the internship I want to say this was an amazing experience for me. I’ve learned a lot from it, despite it was my first experience in animal behavioral studies ever. To be honest, the internship was quite demanding and sometimes challenging, but thanks to the great efforts of my mentors and colleagues from MGRL we could make it possible. NIG promoted an environment where I feel like I am able to not only share my contribution but also know it is actually considered and appreciated.

Apart from doing science I had a chance to wander around Mishima, as well as travel to Yokohama and Hakone, enjoy fireworks festival in Numazu and even climb Mount Fuji!

I assume creating an internship program, managing organization as well as monitoring students of the internship all the time was not an easy task, but NIGINTERN team ensured a role of heightening knowledge of every student by offering this amazing opportunity.

Thank you, NIGINTERN!

Thank you for being genuine. Thank you for seeing us as partners in learning and sharing. Thank you for helping us with our challenging tasks. Thank you for making us do my best. And thank you for making this possible.

また日本で会いましょう!