Japan Fieldwork Experiences
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Miguel Nunez is an MPH student in the Division of Community Health Sciences enrolled in the Global Health Program. Miguel is conducting his applied practice experience at the University of Tsukuba in Japan. Miguel explored the impact of Japanese culture and governance on the hikikomori community, observed Open Dialogue therapy with individuals in the hikikomori community, and learned how the mental health staff at the University of Tsukuba support the mental health needs of this population.
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Miguel Nunez Bio
Since 1973, the University of Tsukuba has been providing both Japanese and foreign students with a world class education and empowering them to “imagine the future” they would like to live and go about pursuing it. As a leading research institution, the University of Tsukuba was named a designated National University in 2020, meaning the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology named it one of the most innovative and rigorous schools in Japan, offering students a world class education and ample research opportunities. University of Illinois at Chicago has partnered with the University of Tsukuba since 2017 to foster student exchanges for Masters in Public Health Students. I am so excited to be the first student to embark on this trip. Just as Jane Adams went to the United Kingdom to learn about social work/public health by observing the culture and public policy of a foreign prosperous nation, I feel that I am doing something very similar at the University of Tsukuba. Japan has proven itself to be a global leader, successful across many arenas. In terms of Public Health, Japan has one lowest COVID-19 mortality rates in the world (only 31, 598), about one sixth of the United Kingdom (182,000) and significantly less than the United States (1,026,950). The government of Japan has accomplished this impressive statistic in the absence of mask and vaccine mandates- with almost all of their citizens following their local public health department’s recommendations and wearing masks/getting vaccinated. My goal is to study about how Japanese culture and governance impact public health and educational outcomes for vulnerable communities in this country. べんきょうします。いきましょう!
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Two of Tsukuba’s many running and biking trails.
Miguel Nunez Bio
University of Tsukuba is located in Tsukuba- a calm and quiet community in Ibaraki prefecture, 40 minutes north of Tokyo. Surrounded by forests and mountains, it has many running and biking trails such as those in Doho Park and Tsukuba Central Park. The Tsukuba Botanic Garden showcases some of the unique fauna and flora found in this part of Japan and Mount Tsukuba is visible in the distance for those that are into hiking and being in nature. Only 40 minutes from Tokyo by train, Tsukuba is ideally situated for international students looking to focus on their studies while also having access to the hustle and bustle of a global city. During my free time, I have enjoyed running in the park, visiting local shops/restaurants as well as exploring the Tokyo area. There is a big biking culture in this region and almost everyone uses one to get around town. With the long and narrow layout of the University of Tsukuba, I would highly recommend buying a bike to facilitate your exploration of campus!
Miguel Nunez Bio
It has been a real pleasure getting to know the University of Tsukuba campus and staff. Some of my favorite places on campus thus far have been the Clinical Epidemiology Lab and the Green Season Café on the Medical Campus. The chair of the Masters in Public Health Program, Dr. Wagatsuma, has allowed me to access the lab as a study space around the clock and I have spent many hours studying early morning and late at night in this space.
Miguel Nunez Bio
The Green Season Café is just a short walk from the Lab and has become my go to spot for an affordable and delicious lunch. The chefs at the café are always so friendly and for just 540 yen (or $3.97,) you can get a full course meal with rice, miso soup and your choice of meat. What a bargain!