The key to a well-rounded college career is having a combination of experiential education and academic studies. Participating in National Institute of Genetics' internship program NIGINTERN 2007 allowed me to experience, for the first time, the act of carrying out basic scientific research in an independent environment. The two greatest benefits of this experience for me were networking and learning the "dos" and "don'ts" of scientific research. I formed lasting friendships with many of my coworkers, both NIG students and other interns. The work environment was very conducive and helped me to focus on my research better.

Right from the very first day of my three-month long internship program, I was involved in various activities besides my experimental work. I used to attend weekly Journal Clubs where one of the lab members used to present a research paper of his or her own choice and I too gave a presentation in it. I also attended weekly classes for Masters and new PhD students and came to know about various new concepts in different fields of molecular and cell biology. There were large numbers of seminars every week where eminent speakers from both inside the country and abroad used to present their current research. All this was a very useful and important learning experience and provided me with great insight into how research is done.

During my stay at NIG, I worked in Hiromi Lab and was assigned an independent and completely new project. I was told by my professor, Dr. Yasushi Hiromi, that it would be very challenging to complete that project and indeed it proved to be so. This project helped me in more ways than I had imagined before. It helped me to get a feel of the life of a researcher in an actual lab setting; it made me realize that research is not only about success but failures too and that one should always be prepared for the setbacks and plan ahead so as to decide the next course of action when something goes wrong.

Overall, this internship gave me a large responsibility and chance to work on a project that was of my choice and in a way that seemed appropriate to me. Critical thinking and problem solving skills were often necessary when experiments and other activities could not be performed as planned. Getting to know some researchers and students on a personal level made the internship especially enjoyable. It was an invaluable experience and I feel more prepared and confident to take up research as a career in the future as a result of this internship.

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I believed that this internship would be a tremendous opportunity for me to gain knowledge and above all motivation and also allow me a chance to possibly contribute in some way to the research and I gained all of these though I hardly contributed anything.

It was on the last night at NIG, Prof. Kawakami in response to one of my question answered, you work on a project and based on preliminary results you construct few hypotheses, and then test each of them. Sometimes you find one of them is correct, but many times they fail. When everything fails, a discovery happens. That is the beauty of research. These invaluable lines motivate me for research.

My project in Prof Koichi Kawakami's lab taught me one of the unique approach towards studying cellular processes by perturbing gene expression and observing responses at both molecular to organ level utilizing a nascent and interesting biological model (zebrafish). This involved critical thinking, problem solving skill, designing experiment and constructing hypothesis based on results and available information. With the supportive and friendly lab members not only I found it quite easy with the above subjects but also I could enjoy my stay at NIG.

During my internship period I was also involved in various activities apart from my project. During our weekly lab seminar I get to know about the research works of other lab members. There were also many seminars every week where eminent speakers from various universities used to present their current research. This taught me various concepts in different fields of biology. In the beginning of our internship, poster presentation by the scientists gave me a good overview of the ongoing research at NIG. Apart from this academic life, I was also involved in various out door activities like rock climbing and mountaineering. This took me closer to nature in Japan.

This internship indeed empowered me with theoretical as well as experimental skills and gave me an opportunity to learn a domain of bioscience. This also helped me in reshaping my research interest and also filled me with motivation and confidence to be a part of this culture.

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NIG, I have never known it before until I saw the notice on my university signboard. After that, I found the information about NIG from the website. It’s very interesting and very famous one of the Genetics Institutes in the world. So, I didn't hesitate to apply for the summer research program and I really hoped to get that chance. I'm lucky. They selected me and provided me with 3 months program in 2 eminent laboratories. One is in DDBJ: DNA Data Bank of Japan and the other is in Division of Agricultural Genetics. I learned how to conduct experiments and how to use a computer for analysis in DDBJ. I had chances to study with many expert researchers. They always gave me many good advices and kindly taught me. For some experiments, I learned how to use the high technology machine. And in the other laboratory, I studied epigenetics in plant by using Arabidopsis as a model. I learned how to study the control mechanisms and function of DNA methylation by mutagenization method. Not only I joined the experiments, I also attended many activities in NIG, for example, poster presentation, intensive class, seminar, journal club and so on. My life in NIG was very impressive. I stayed in the guest house of NIG. It's very convenient and pleasant for exchange student. I went many places around here for sightseeing, temple, off spring, mountain, aquarium, beach and so on. I never feel boring in Japan except rainy day. All researcher and other members are very kind and friendly. We did many activities together like BAR-B-Q party, Shabu Shabu party, Japanese pizza party, Thai food party, traveling, singing, drinking, etc. When I had free time, I went to play tennis. There are many tennis players to teach me and play with me. Three months in Japan and live in NIG is too short for me. Of cause, I really enjoyed. It's very wonderful memory. Thank you NIG.

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Before I came here I was afraid of things that will happen in the positive and negative ways, I couldn"t imagine how my life gonna be. Whereas the first day I came here--this institute--I never feel lonely and think about pack my back, the first week I felt bashful on how I should adjust myself for working in this laboratory. So after working hours or weekend I always admired the nature and beauty of this town, but for shortly everything turned up side down I enjoyed while working. Every day so many things happened, keep me learning, growing and know how to manage or solve the problems. Unfortunately many times my project failed and I had to repeat it, but I never give up or tired because I have Professor, Post-doc, technician also student in this laboratory who gave me the suggestions, spirit and delight; they made me feel good on the word "researcher". This place taught me that to be a better researcher is not easy whichever if I have knowledge or how great I am because of sharing the ideas and experiences is the most important. So do I, knowledge may over in the day that ideas and imaginations were gone.

From that day till now I have only a few days to live here, I can say firmly that to be an apprentice here is the great experience and worth for my life.

In the end I would like to thank you everyone in this institute who gave me the great opportunities and the great memories I memorize forever.

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