Innovation for Air Travel in Japan!

Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore

Mr. Riku Matsumoto
5th year, Department of Mechanical Engineering

I am Riku Matsumoto, 5th year of Department of Mechanical Engineering. I have been studying at Nanyang Polytechnic in Singapore since this April. On weekdays, 8:30 am to 6 pm, I research on communication robots which can connect people in distance. The robots can be used not only as a tool to support people who use airports, but also to be able to attend classes at school from hospitals or homes. The robots are expected to be used for various occasions.

Research office

I was surprised at diversity the most in Singapore. You may think it is typical impression, but people in Singapore have so many different background. And community accepts the differences, e.g. 4 languages train announcement (English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil). There are a lots of people who speak 4 languages around me. It is hard enough for me to master the second language.

I think English is more used at main events in Singapore. Their English is known as Singlish which has own English style. But I think it is not that bad. Singlish has distinctive feature which is you are able to make conversations by using only word, like “Can lah!”. But I try to use proper grammar on conversations no matter who I speak with.

Lastly, let me introduce my friends who I met at school. This is a picture of my first Chinese friends. We escaped from our office because air-conditioner was too strong. It was freezing.

Meeting with Chinese friends

This is a picture of my roommates who are from Germany. It was 3 pm snack time. You cannot tell their height is over 180 cm as they are sitting in the picture.

German roommates

Next picture is my two roommates, another German, Singaporean, Korean who is my next door in dormitory and my new Japanese roommate (he is also from Tobitate!).

My dormitory friends. German, Singaporean, Korean and Japanese

It is heading to the 7th month since I came to Singapore. I can make it for the last half as I have so many things I want to do.

(Tobitate! Study Abroad Initiative, Professional category)