My name is Chitoshi Tamaoki. I was a master’s student in Aerospace Engineering when I traveled to the US for my thesis research. During that time, I joined the PSU UAV Research Laboratory (PURL) to conduct my research. Living in State College, Pennsylvania, was a continuous series of excitement and surprises.
I am currently working at an aircraft company that specializes in building ultra-light and CS-23 class aircraft. I had been with the company even before my stay in the US, which gave me exposure to the general aviation industry in Germany. However, the aviation culture in the US was completely different from what I had experienced in Germany. The lab facilities were located right next to the city airport, and I witnessed the airport’s daily activities firsthand. During major events, a large number of private aircraft flew in, completely filling the airport with small planes. On college football game days, the airport reached its highest aircraft density, which was a truly spectacular sight.
As mentioned, the lab was located at the airport, not on the university campus, which limited my visits to the campus itself. However, I still got a glimpse of college life at an American university. The buildings and facilities were top-notch, which helped me understand why the university is renowned for its technological programs. Since the city revolves around the university, the public transportation system was well-developed, making it easy for me to get around. There was at least one event every month, such as local community festivals, which were always enjoyable. Of course, the biggest events were organized by the university.
During holidays, I had the chance to travel. I visited Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., New York, and Vermont. Traveling took a long time due to the vast size of the country, but each city had a distinct history, culture, and atmosphere. My favorite city was Philadelphia. The historical buildings related to the US independence were very impressive. I joined a local guided tour, and the guide was humorous, sharing many funny stories behind the famous Declaration of Independence. One of my favorite souvenirs is a T-shirt I bought there that reads, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy,” a quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Alcohol is strictly regulated in the US now, but it was very different back then—fascinating, isn’t it?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Reissner Stiftung for their financial support. The experiences I gained broadened my worldview and will undoubtedly be a valuable asset throughout my life. If anyone is considering a stay in a foreign country, I highly recommend it.
Chitoshi Tamaoki
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