TOMODACHI-STEM @ Rice University Program
2019 TOMODACHI-STEM @ Rice University Program
From February 16 to March 24, 2019, ten female STEM undergraduates from Japan had the opportunity to travel to Rice University in Houston, Texas to participate in a hands-on science and engineering research internship as part of the 2019 TOMODACHI STEM @ Rice University Program.
The program provides students the chance to gain real world experience with science and engineering research, an introduction to U.S. higher education, and opportunities for cultural engagement with U.S. students and U.S.-Japan Council members and events.
The ten participants of the 2019 program represented a wide range of fields of study, including bioscience, chemistry, computer science and robotics, earth science, and physics. Read More>>
2018 TOMODACHI-STEM @ Rice University Program
The ten women of the TOMODACHI-STEM @ Rice University Program visited Washington, D.C. at the end of March for the last week of their six-week program. Prior to their visit to Washington, D.C., the participants spent five weeks in Houston conducting research in a lab connected to their major and fields of interest at Rice University.
In Houston, the first two weeks of the program consisted of various tours, panel discussions and seminars to get accustomed to the area and gain helpful insights from students and professors at the Rice University. One of the students who joined the participants was Natsumi Komatsu, a PhD candidate, 2015 TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program scholar and 2017 STEM @ Rice University alumna. Natsumi spent several days connecting with the participants while facilitating panel discussions and serving as a guide on multiple expeditions around Houston.Spending an extended period in Houston, they had a chance to explore the community as well as attend the Houston Rodeo, receive talks about the Japanese-American experience in Academia and visit the Houston Operations Center of the Dow Chemical Company. Read More>>
- To view profiles of 2018 participants, click here.
2017 TOMODACHI-STEM @ Rice University Program
The 2017 TOMODACHI-STEM @ Rice University Program is a five-week research internship program for ten female undergraduates from Japan who are majoring in science & engineering (S&E). Held at Rice University in Houston, Texas, the program will enable students to gain real world experience with S&E research, provide an introduction to U.S. higher education and provide opportunities for cultural engagement and collaboration with U.S. students. The program will serve as a catalyst for female Japanese students interested in S&E study and research and engagement with the U.S. through international research collaborations.
- For more information, click here
2016 TOMODACHI-STEM @ Rice University Program
The 2016 TOMODACHI-STEM @ Rice University Program is a five-week research internship program for 10 Japanese undergraduate students majoring in science & engineering (S&E). Held at Rice University in Houston, Texas, the program enabled students to gain real world experience with S&E research, provide an introduction to U.S. higher education and provide opportunities for cultural engagement and collaboration with American students.
During the program from February 21 – March 27, 2016, Japanese participants were be placed in teams of two into a Rice University research lab where they spent four weeks working on a research project under the advisement of the U.S. professor and their assigned U.S. graduate student mentor. The capstone experience of the research internship was the development of a research project poster that was presented at a symposium held at Rice University, which was presented to the student’s home university upon their return to Japan.
In addition to research, students also participated in weekly English language classes, an Introduction to Science & Engineering Research in the U.S. seminar, and cultural activities and excursions. Following the completion of the four-week internship, the students traveled to Washington, D.C. for a one-week Science & Technology Policy Study Tour.
- Read about their experience here
