One of the University of Hawaiʻi students who participated in the Bifuka Field Course shared his thoughts on the course.

Sean Michael Valencia Monte

“A shark!” was my first thought when I saw a sturgeon swimming toward me at the Chitose Salmon Aquarium. It was only the beginning of a week filled with experiences I never expected to have in Hokkaido.

From learning about sturgeon aquaculture and anatomy in Bifuka to walking across the peat-covered ground of the Uryu Experimental Forest, each day brought something completely different. Following the Teshio River from the coast inland made these experiences feel connected, showing how forests, wetlands, rivers, and the ocean are all part of a much larger system.

Some of the most memorable moments, however, happened between the field activities. Sharing meals, conversations, laughter, and new experiences with everyone made Hokkaido feel like much more than a field course. In only a few days, people who had come from different places became friends while exploring a place that was new to many of us. I often say, “You learn from every person you meet and every experience you encounter.” After exploring Hokkaido, learning alongside new friends, and experiencing Bifuka together, those words carry an entirely new meaning.