Perspectives from a research experience during the National Science Foundation East Asia Pacific Summer Institute

The East Asia Pacific Summer Institute (EAPSI) provides a unique opportunity for graduate students to conduct research in East Asia for 8 to 10 weeks. The National Science Foundation awards about 200 EAPSI fellowships each year, and students can select a university or laboratory in Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and South Korea. The intent of this program is to establish long-lasting international research collaborations and expose students to international research in East Asia. During the past summer, the first author spent 10 weeks in Japan at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute at Kyoto University. His research project investigated debris and precipitation motion in tornadoes using a large-eddy simulation (LES) model. An overview of the research opportunities and cultural experiences available from the EAPSI program will be presented, including advice for applying for EAPSI fellowships.