By Bingxi Hu
Attending Harvard Summer School was an incredibly thrilling experience. Over the course of just three weeks, I gained knowledge and experiences that go far beyond what a typical classroom could offer. I was exposed to a diverse culture, made new friends from various countries, and expanded my worldview. I am deeply grateful for the support of the FUTI scholarship, which allowed me to participate fully in this exchange and immerse myself completely in both academic and social life at Harvard.
During my time at Harvard Summer School, I had the opportunity to choose a three-week course. I selected the course “Negotiation and conflict resolution”. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept and types of negotiation, and allowed us to discuss different strategies of negotiation with an emphasis on an integrative, collaborative, win-win negotiation approach.
The course was structured around two presentations, two negotiation simulations, and various assignments. The professor did an excellent job of blending theoretical learning with practical application, using real-world examples to help us better understand the concepts. On the first day, we participated in the “prisoner’s dilemma” stimulation game, which quickly broke the ice among classmates. Through this exercise, we began to experience firsthand the challenges and issues that can arise in negotiation, heightening our anticipation for the rest of the course.
Almost every class was accompanied by a set of readings, which formed the foundation for the lectures. The lectures expanded on the reading material, offering deeper explanations and additional insights.
For each group assignment, we were paired with different classmates. Therefore, by the end of the course, I had developed close relationships with almost everyone in the class. Even after the course ended, I have continued to stay in touch with many of them.
The most interesting part of the course was the negotiation simulation at the end. In this stimulation, we were divided into groups to represent different countries, engaging in a realistic negotiation scenario. This simulation allowed us to apply the negotiation skills we had developed over the three weeks in a fun and interactive way, making the learning experience both engaging and memorable.
Outside of the classroom, the summer school experience also allowed me to explore the city of Cambridge and Boston more deeply. Walking through the streets of Boston, I could feel the distinct contrast between its atmosphere and that of Japan. I visited the campuses of MIT and Harvard, went sailing on the Charles River with new friends, admired the works of Van Gogh, Monet, and Dalí at the Museum of Fine Arts, and took leisurely strolls in Boston Common.
The three weeks flew by, and it was with a heavy heart that we said our goodbyes when the course ended. This summer school experience has left me with so much to reflect upon, and it will undoubtedly be one of the most cherished memories of my university life. Once again, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the FUTI scholarship for making this amazing trip to Harvard possible. Nothing would have been possible without their kind assistance.
