Ryunosuke Murakami , Master 2nd m5211126
March 1, 2019
Rose-Hulman Institute Technology Mid-Term Study Abroad Program Report
More than 6 months passed since I came to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT), and I could complete this program. Now I'm very satisfied with the program. RHIT is well known for its high-quality and well organized educations in USA, especially in engineering. The quality of the courses and the environment is, needless to say, really wonderful, and its lecture and exercises are very challenging to me. At the beginning of this program, I was very stressed with lack of communication with friends and left behind the class because of my poor English skill. Now I could come to catch up the class and I was spending very productive days with my friends. Here I briefly introduce the review of my spending days.
During the first several days of arriving RHIT, I learned many things to familiarize myself with American culture through orientation. In this time, I could interact with other international students and mentor students. I was able to have fun while being instructed, because their orientation integrated some amusements, like appointing comedian as instructor and bingo game. And classes will begin soon. The classes go fast. Students have the same lesson 4 days a week, and we are imposed class assignments every day. I was mainly taking logic circuit design and computer security related classes. Course materials and instructions are very clear and well organized. RHIT gives priority to education rather than research. Therefore the professors always be open for students and think about course materials that are easy to understand for students. As the progress of class is quite fast, students are studying or doing their homework everywhere in the university all day long. The environment for studying is well organized, and students can use any equipment or facility anytime they want. After we finish midterm and final exam, we have short-term break respectively. Students go back to their home town or go for a trip to heal their daily stress. I also visited my friend's house at the midterm break. At the "Thanksgiving day", I was invited to the lunch party by the professor who looks after me in the class. Every professor cherishes communication with the students, and we could feel free to discuss anything. After the break, the class goes into the busy term for preparing the final exam and team programs. Although it is very stressful, there are many students who are striving to their studies. So it really motivated me. On the weekend, we often gathered at a family restraint in the midnight and chatted with friends. Also, we could enjoy time for watching movies or animation at my friend's room. In winter break, I was staying with my friends' house. On the Christmas day, I was also celebrated by his parents and given some nice Christmas presents. In this season, we could also enjoy present exchanging, that is called "White Elephant Gift Exchange" at some friends' community. I could make many memorable experiences here.
What I learned through this study abroad program is an importance of communication with people. It was very important for me to live in America which has quite different culture and perspective. Being closely with other students, professors and staff could help me remove stress from many tasks and unfamiliar situations. I spent quite a lot of time with my partner in the class team program. I could experience that we could solve problems efficiently by discussing things that I can not solve by myself and get accurate advice from another perspective. I will continue to improve my English skill even after finishing this program, and I will try various things with communicating and cooperating with people.
・Christmas tree and presents in my friend house ・Dinner with friends of RHIT
・At Millennium Park in Chicago
Rose-Hulman Institute Technology Mid-Term Study Abroad Program: Mid-term report by Ryunosuke Murakami on January 15, 2019
More than 3 months has passed since I came to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT). Now I'm very satisfied with this program. RHIT is well known for its high-quality and well organized educations in USA, especially in engineering. The quality of the courses and the environment is, needless to say, really wonderful, and its lecture and exercises are very challenging to me. At the beginning of this program, I was very stressed with lack of communication with friends and left behind the class because of my poor English skill. Now I come to catch up the class and I'm spending very productive days with my friends. Here I briefly introduce the review of my spending days.
During the first several days of arriving RHIT, I learned many things to familiarize myself with American culture through orientation. In this time, I could interact with other international students and mentor students. I was able to have fun while being instructed, because their orientation integrated some amusements, like appointing comedian as instructor and bingo game. And classes will begin soon. The classes go fast. Students have the same lesson 4 days a week, and we are imposed class assignments every day. Now I'm mainly taking logic circuit design and computer security related classes in this term. Course materials and instructions are very clear and well organized. RHIT gives priority to education rather than research. Therefore the professors always be open for students and think about course materials that are easy to understand for students. As the progress of class is quite fast, students are studying or doing their homework everywhere in the university all day long. The environment for studying is well organized, and students can use any equipment or facility anytime they want. After we finish midterm and final exam, we have short-term break respectively. Students go back to their home town or go for a trip to heal their daily stress. I also visited my friend's house at the midterm break. At the "Thanksgiving day", I was invited to the lunch party by the professor who looks after me in the class. Every professor cherishes communication with the students, and we could feel free to discuss anything. After the break, the class goes into the busy term for preparing the final exam and team projects. Although it is very stressful, there are many students who are striving to their studies. So it really motivated me. On the weekend, we often gathered at a family restraint in the midnight and chatted with friends. Also, we could enjoy time for watching movies or animation at my friend's room.
Now it's a time of winter break, and I'm staying with my friends' house. On the Christmas day, I was also celebrated by his parents and given some nice Christmas presents. In this season, we could also enjoy present exchanging, that is called "White Elephant Gift Exchange" at some friends' community. So far, I could make many memorable experiences here. I think I will enjoy the remaining period for final exams, team projects, and making good memories with my friends.
Christmas tree and presents in my friend house