PEARCY -- Lake Hamilton graduate Mary Kate Tucker took advantage of an opportunity to travel to Japan to work on her undergraduate research last summer.
Tucker, who graduated from Lake Hamilton in 2012, is a junior at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville studying biochemistry. She is performing her undergraduate research in a lab at Arkansas.
The opportunity arose for Tucker to study in a lab at Okayama Medical School. She was able to work with one of the leaders in the field of biochemical microbiology and experience the culture of Japan at the same time.
In addition to her academic endeavors, Tucker was able to travel and experience much of the culture of Japan. She visited Hiroshima, the floating arch at the temple in Miyajima and Tokyo, learning and experiencing the culture along the way.
Tucker said she made many new friends and learned a lot during her trip. While she is glad to be home, she said it was an experience she will never forget and is extremely grateful that she had the opportunity to enjoy it.
A student from Okayama Medical School recently came to the U.S. to study for several months. Tucker invited him to visit Hot Springs and experience her hometown.
They visited the historic downtown area, area lakes and explored the town. Tucker said he enjoyed seeing and experiencing what Hot Springs had to offer.
Garland Co. West on 12/18/2014