I am Joy Ann O. Panis from Manila, Philippines. I’m a first year PhD student at Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Graduate School of Materials Science. I joined Sakura Science student exchange program at Kumamoto University in July 2018.

I was invited to join the Sakura Science exchange program hosted by Kumamoto University during my last year as a MS Chemistry student at Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines. It was my first time to visit Japan and I easily fell in love with this place. I was amazed with strong collaboration between industry and university and how these technologies were applied to improve the way of living in Japan. Sakura Science Plan (SSP) program has given me an opportunity to experience the culture, the technology and life in Japan. It has also deepened my interest to pursue a career in science. My experiences in SSP gave me a different perspective in research and it has also given me the chance to meet amazing friends from different countries. I am so grateful to Dr. Quitain, and to the students of Kumamoto University and to Sakura Science for this great opportunity.

After SSP, I had an opportunity to join the pre-screening program at NAIST. The university has given me the double degree PhD scholarship program between Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Japan and École Normale Supérieure (ENS) Université Paris-Saclay, France. I will be staying in Paris, France for one year and I am more than grateful to NAIST and to Professor Kawai for giving me this chance to experience the student life in Japan and France. The university has been very supportive to their students and they will always give you opportunities to meet and join the scientific community not only here, but also abroad.