COLOMBO PLAN VISIT TO JAPAN Japan Student Research Trip Review
On arrival we immediately immersed in the Japanese culture and saw many novelties unique to Japan such as coffee vending machines, strange fashions, even stranger foods and extremely animated advertisements. We were introduced to the National Institute of Radiological Science facilities at Chiba and given a tour of the charged particle accelerator and the neighbouring treatment facilities for various tumours using the latest technology. We were also provided with presentations on the fundamentals and technologies behind the heavy ion and proton research and treatment modalities which was a great way to reinforce what we had seen and consider current research in the field.
Amongst our studies we also were given the opportunity to tour Tokyo and take in many cultural sites and experiences such as getting our fortunes read at the high temple, appreciating the dedication and design of the grave sites in the city, learning about Japan’s history at the museum, appreciating the architecture of the Imperial Palace and getting a birds-eye view of the city.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
In September 2014, 10 students studying medical radiation physics at the University of Wollongong were given the opportunity to visit Japan. The trip allowed us to experience another culture, meet new people and develop a greater understanding of the potential future directions of cancer treatment overseas and in Australia. We came from a variety of learning levels ranging from 1st year physics to 3rd year, all with the motivation to learn something new about the upcoming heavy ion and proton therapy treatment and for some of us, this was our first time overseas.
Then travelling to Gunma we saw more clinical applications of heavy ion therapy and proton therapy and their treatment facilities there as well as getting pampered at a natural hot spring.
Overall, the short week in Japan was a great way to learn about heavy ion and proton therapy, as we could understand the physics and its application through our own experience of it. The trip also was extremely enriching and very eye opening in terms of the Japanese cultural experience, gaining a new perspective of the people and their customs in this part of the world.
UOW PHYSICS ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - 2014
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