To work as an engineer in Japan.

Nanyang Polytechnic

1st-year student majoring in Production System Engineering：HIWADA Takuya
Study Abroad Period: August 19, 2024 – September 26, 2024

I lived in Singapore for one month while studying at Nanyang Polytechnic, a four-year higher education institution, where I worked on the development of digital systems. On weekdays, I worked on projects in the school’s laboratory from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on my days off, I visited various tourist spots around Singapore.

I am currently researching computers that mimic the behavior of neurons, and since last year, I have been studying digital systems. For this reason, I chose a theme related to digital system design for this internship. My future goal is to make it easier for device owners in Japan to repair their own products. For example, a company in the Netherlands sells smartphones designed in a modular way, allowing users to replace only the faulty parts and use the device for many years. Such efforts are still not very common in Japan. Considering the limited resources and environmental pollution, continuing the throwaway culture is no longer sustainable. I believe it is necessary to shift towards devices that can be repaired and used for a long time.

As I pursue a career as an engineer in Japan, I expect there will be opportunities to communicate with engineers from other countries in my field. That’s why I felt it was important to study abroad at some point and become comfortable with face-to-face communication. I had also often heard that Singapore is a highly advanced country in terms of technology, attracting tech companies from around the world. Knowing that some well-known hardware engineers have even relocated to Singapore gave me a positive impression of the country.

The campus is very spacious.

Nanyang Polytechnic is equipped with a wide variety of facilities, and I was particularly stunned when I first entered one of the buildings and saw a large conveyor system—similar to those used in Amazon’s shipping warehouses—occupying an entire room, roughly 10 meters square. In the robotics lab, there were multiple humanoid robots available for research, creating an ideal environment for hands-on study and development.
Since I had to complete my project within five weeks, I didn’t have much time to study things in depth. Instead, I learned the design methods through repeated experimentation and by researching on the internet. It was a refreshing experience to be able to focus on just one thing and immerse myself in it every day.

I also visited a place similar to Akihabara in Japan, where many electronic parts stores were gathered. Inside a shopping mall-like building, every floor from the ground to the top was filled with component shops, and I could feel the strength of Singapore’s hacker community. I also discovered a thrift shop that repaired and sold old digital cameras from the 2000s. It gave me a glimpse into the country’s culture of repair and reuse.

Me Doing Research

Living in Singapore gave me many new insights.
Singapore is a multi-ethnic country, home to people of Chinese, Indian, and Malay descent. Being able to communicate in English with people from various backgrounds—such as students, teachers, and cafeteria staff—was truly a valuable experience.

Singapore is a multi-ethnic country, and I saw people of Chinese, Indian, and Malay descent. It was a great experience to be able to communicate in English with people from various backgrounds, including students, teachers, and even the cafeteria staff.

Commemorative Photo after the Project Presentation

I had many other enjoyable experiences—too many to write them all down here. Although there were some tough moments as well, the rewards I gained from participating in this program far outweighed the difficulties. I’m truly grateful for having had this opportunity.

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