Singapore Short-Term Training Experience Report

Miyata Yugo

4th Year, Faculty of Engineering

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

In March 2026, I participated in a 17-day short-term training program in Singapore, driven by the theme of "Acquiring the skills needed to navigate the world in an age of uncertainty." Immersing myself in a multicultural environment undergoing rapid transformation, the experience gave me the invaluable opportunity to update my own values through a wide range of perspectives.

1. The Ability to Embrace Change and Solve Real Problems (Academia)

To thrive in a society evolving at a breathtaking pace, it is essential to let go of existing frameworks and develop the ability to tackle the challenges right in front of you. Through workshops at National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), I learned through hands-on practice how to apply AI tools to real-world implementation.

Furthermore, through exchanges with students from NUS and Stanford University, I was struck by how actively and deliberately they thought about their own value, social contribution, and career paths. This brought home to me that "self-branding" — proactively communicating one's own value — is a key to forging a path through an uncertain future.

2. The Ability to Find the Best Solutions Amid Diversity (City & Culture)

In a globalized society where values intermingle, the ability to understand different cultures and disciplines and adapt flexibly among them is essential. Walking through the multicultural streets of Chinatown and Arab Street, I discovered how Singapore has achieved a balance between discipline through a highly advanced rule of law and creativity through distinctive architecture and design. I also encountered the realities of everyday life — high living costs, climate, and local expressions like Singlish — and developed on-the-ground adaptability: making use of water refill stations, navigating the highly convenient MRT system, and finding ways to move efficiently within given constraints. This too struck me as a genuinely practical capability for surviving in an uncertain environment.

3. Autonomous Career Design and a "Hungry Spirit" (Mindset)

The willingness to carve out one's own path without depending on an organization is an essential skill in a future that offers no guarantees. Through seminars with Japanese professionals and entrepreneurs working locally, I learned the importance of autonomous career development — persistently pursuing work that truly suits you. Additionally, witnessing the highly competitive local environment where internships often lead directly to job offers, as well as the high motivation of the students there, reinforced my sense of the need for a global perspective on "the ability to earn" and "the will to survive," transcending the boundaries of Japan.

Conclusion: A Compass for Navigating the Future

The greatest takeaway from these 17 days was not knowledge itself, but rather a mindset. Facing an uncertain future, what matters is to continually refine your own "Value" and flexibly update yourself to meet your environment. I will carry the guiding principles I discovered in the forward-looking environment of Singapore as my compass and walk boldly through the turbulent era ahead.