Musha Shugyo Program 2024
This is Takeshi Uemachi, an M1 student.
I had visited and stayed at the University of Manchester and TU Wien for a month from late November with Musha Shugyo Program, offered by the faculty of Engineering.
At the University of Manchester, I met with Professor Karen Lucas, a leading expert in my research field, Transport-Related Social Exclusion.
She warmly welcomed me, and during our 90-minute discussion, she provided valuable advice on case studies and the direction of my research. It was a truly honorable experience to have this opportunity and receive her encouragement!
At TU Wien, I stayed in the research group to which Dr. Takeru Shibayama belongs, who is an alumnus of our department. During my stay, I engaged in discussions with researchers in the lab, participated in a tour led by individuals with homelessness experience, and visited various locations and facilities related to my research while using local public transport. I was surprised by the high frequency of the service, the convenience of using almost all city transport with a single ticket, and the absence of ticket gates, and found those are designed to make public transport highly accessible. Combined with policies aimed at supporting low-income groups, these efforts create an inclusive urban environment. I also learned about the underlying principles and relevant literature from professors working on related topics.
Dr. Shibayama was extremely supportive, holding weekly meetings with me and guiding me through everything about life in Europe during my first visit. I am deeply grateful for his support. On my last evening, he invited me to the research group’s Christmas party, which was a delightful way to finish my stay.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our department and Fukuda sensei for providing me with this enriching opportunity. I am also deeply thankful to my lab members and peers who kept in touch with me during my stay.
I am determined to apply what I gained from this experience to my research and future endeavors, and I will continue striving to achieve my goals!
[Uemachi]
(Photo by Prof. Takeru Shibayama)
