Original text is in Japanese.

During graduate school, Professor Nomura Nao spent nearly a year at Temple University as a Fulbright student, surrounded by peers who have previously received the Fulbright award under the research program. Returning to the United States as a researcher felt like a natural next step for her: "My interest and research focuses on Amish consumer culture, which requires extensive fieldwork. I saw my sabbatical as the perfect opportunity to apply for the Fulbright Research Program and immerse myself in fieldwork."

Beginning in September 2023, she spent nine months conducting research at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. The city, home to numerous universities and research institutes, is a hub for Fulbright scholars to connect and exchange ideas. Professor Nomura was fortunate to meet many inspiring individuals, but her encounter with a Fulbright scholar from Jamaica was particularly memorable and sparked a friendship. Professor Nomura researched consumer culture and material culture from a religious perspective, and this Jamaican Fulbrighter researched material culture from a different perspective. Their daily discussions deepened each other’s research and time spent together made her life in Boston more fulfilling.

She truly felt the importance of engaging with researchers from diverse regions since her research focuses on fieldwork conducted in the U.S. Different regions have different histories, and those differences shape unique perspectives, thus academic discussion enriches. Hoping to build on what she learned in the U.S. and her own experiences on a global scale, she presented her research findings at a conference in Tunisia in November 2024. Her time as a Fulbright scholar enhanced her worldview and strengthened her commitment to build further connections with researchers from different regions.

While feeling the changing seasons and spending nine research-focused months, she realized the shift in her own perspective. Having had this experience, Professor Nomura hopes to keep exploring and seeing the world for herself as both a researcher and an educator.

"There were difficulties when I first arrived in the U.S., like finding an apartment, but the time spent was so fulfilling that it outweighed all difficulties. This experience was far more rewarding than I could have imagined. If anyone is thinking about studying abroad, I would encourage him or her to give it a try."