Journeying in Japan

 Send two Exonian physics stars to Japan?The idea started when Eiichiro Kuwana’82, father of upper Kiyo Kuwana and new lower Hiro Kuwana, noticed that Japanese lacked emphasis among other languages at Exeter.“The motivation came from a desire to increase interest in Japan among students on campus.  We felt that students were missing out on learning about the wonderful history, culture, and academics in Japan, which is a country of strategic importance to the US, as the third largest economy, by a large margin, in the world, a strong democracy in east Asia, and critical US ally in the region,” said Kuwana.Seniors Saaketh Krosuri and Nikhil Raman, with the help of Mr. Kuwana and International Programs Coordinator Eimer Page, as well as several other Exonian alums and parents, participated in a summer physics internship in Tokyo, Japan.  The two seniors were recommended by Phillips Exeter’s physics department to participate in a program usually designed for undergraduate and graduate level students from Beijing University and an elite Korean University.  A venture completely uninvolved with the school, the two seniors traveled to Japan for a month to immerse themselves in both Japan’s culture and an exciting science experience.For the first two weeks of their experience, Krosuri and Raman participated in an internship at RIKEN Laboratory, one of the world’s foremost science research institutions, participating in lectures sponsored by The Nishina School. For the third week at RIKEN, the students conducted research and simulations, giving them more of a lab experience. The two Exonians concluded their program with a presentation of their research.Raman shared his thoughts on the internship as a great opportunity to conduct research in a scientific working environment.“I've learned more about the process of conducting experiments and presenting results to peers, which is really the essence of science,” Raman said.Raman also stressed the value of the Exonian network in making their trip possible. “I also learned how strong the alumni network of Exonians really is,” Raman said. “We met so many Exeter alums in Japan, willing to be in steady contact with us in case of future questions and advice. This trip would not have been possible without them.”The two seniors stayed with host families in Tokyo for the three-week intensive physics program.  Krosuri explained the advanced nature of their learning experience. “We learned the basics of accelerator-based physics, researching superheavy elements. Those elements are past 104 on the periodic table,” explained Krosuri.Page stressed the diligence of both Krosuri and Raman in participating in the internship without official academy sponsorship.  “A huge amount of work and organization is required for an overseas internship, from risk management, insurance and financial issues to details of accommodation and transport,” Page said. “The other participants were graduates from a range of top-flight universities in China, Korea and Japan. For our students to be able to keep up and perform useful work is enormously impressive.”Not only did the students learn a great deal of modern physics, but they learned about a culture they had not known too well beforehand. “I had my initial doubts about studying abroad in general, but I am really loving Japan. Tokyo is one of the best cities I’ve ever been to and all the alums and students Nikhil and I have met are some of the coolest and kindest people I’ve met anywhere,” Krosuri said.All participants of the internship—students, researchers and sponsors—agreed that the trip was a huge success. “We learned as much about physics as we did about a new culture, and we are very grateful for all the wonderful people who made this internship possible. Definitely worth it,” Krosuri said.Raman expressed his wish that their experience could serve as a precedent for future internship opportunities, in Japan or elsewhere in the world. “I would completely recommend that other students try doing this program or something similar. I hope that Exeter is able to create more opportunities for students like this in the future so that Exeter students can learn outside of just the Harkness classroom but in the real world as well,” Raman said.Kuwana hopes that eventually the trip to Japan will receive official school sponsorship. “We hope and expect that the program will become an annual staple of summer offering at PEA,” Kuwana said.  “We are in discussions to expand the program to include a PEA faculty member in the future.”