Alanur
PhD candidate at Keio University Graduate School of Media Design

When I reflect on those three days in Sydney, it feels surreal. The city,　museums, food, people, public transportation, and the pouring rain – it was a beautiful, challenging, adventurous, and rewarding conference trip.

UMAC 2023 was held in Sydney in late August. When I received the acceptance email, I literally pinched myself to be sure I wasn't dreaming. I was fortunate to be introduced to Object-Based Learning (OBL) during my PhD studies and collaborate with KeMCo to practice it in creating inclusivity for international students.

KeMCo has been a pioneering institution in the field of OBL in Japan. Collaborating with them provided me with a unique opportunity to delve deep into OBL, explore its diverse approaches, and gain a comprehensive understanding. The chance to present our work at an international conference couldn't have come at a better time. Chau Chak Wing Museum, with extensive experience in OBL among university museums, granted us the opportunity to learn from them and share our work, which holds significant meaning.

The Ph.D. journey is long and often solitary. At times, it can feel like one is isolated from the rest of the world. However, the conference has brought about a significant change within me. It has introduced me to professionals working in the university museum field all over the world. Through presentations and receptions, I had the opportunity to learn from and engage in conversations with them, gaining insights into their work and research.

However, UMAC itself offered much more than just an academic exchange opportunity. Sydney is a vibrant, diverse, and warm city. On my first day heading to the museum, I learned that I needed to hail the bus much like I hail a taxi here in Japan. Since then, it has become my favourite morning activity. Even now, every time I listen to Lana Del Rey's 'This is What Makes Us Girls,' my mind takes me back to that crisp morning when I waited for the bus.
The conference was held at Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney. On the first day, we had a Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony, and before starting each keynote speech and presentation, there was an acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land we gathered, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. Presenters paid their respects to their Elders past and present. It was a beautiful, powerful, and informative ritual I had the honour to witness and learn from.

There were a variety of activities to participate in and enjoy. During the evening receptions at the end of each day, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit different university museums and immerse myself in their exhibitions. The collections they housed and the exhibitions they curated left a lasting impression on me. It became evident how these museums profoundly impact both research and teaching.

The experience felt like something out of a movie – sipping wine while admiring the artwork on the walls, surrounded by like-minded individuals with whom I could engage in enlightening discussions and learn from their perspectives. It's amazing how good things can happen when you least expect them.

I remember it vividly. After one of those receptions, I was heading back to my hotel when it started to rain. It was okay at first, but after a few minutes, it turned into a downpour. In moments like that, one can't help but miss Japan and its konbini stores. I had only one thought in my head: protect the laptop. All my PhD work and the presentation for the next day were stored on it. The theatrical moments at the reception suddenly gave way to the reality of rain. Interestingly, I found that moment melancholically beautiful and oddly satisfying.I think it's because of the deep care I have for the work I've done so far and the exciting premise of sharing it with others the next day.

As you can expect, the presentation was well received, and I finished my very first international conference presentation. The kind comments we have received and the smiling faces nodding at us while we presented the work have restored a certain confidence in the research and its meaning.

Overall, it was a highly rewarding experience, one that inspired me to work even harder for the next submission and return with new work to present.