For the sixth year, the Tohoku University Engineering Summer Program on Robotics (TESP) was held from July 27^th to August 7^th. This year's program attracted more than 50 participants from 26 different countries. During the 2 weeks, this summer program offered various lectures given in English by world-class professors in the field of robotics, ranging from molecular-size robots to space robots, not to mention human-robot interaction as well as research activities within leading laboratories.

It was also a unique chance for the participants to be immersed in Japanese culture. Indeed, the organizers of the summer school prepared several extracurricular-activities in addition to the various ones offered by the city of Sendai during the summer.

Participating in a tea ceremony while dressed in Kimono was one of the most anticipated events of the two weeks, not to mention the now traditional field trip that took participants out of Sendai. They headed to the south of Miyagi prefecture, where they tried their hands at traditional Japanese art, kokeshi doll painting, and enjoyed a refreshing meal of fresh local Umen noddles.

The visit to the 400-year old Shiroishi castle and the encounter with samurai ended one of the hottest days Japan has had in recent years. Also, during one of their days off, some of the participants went to Yamadera in the nearby Yamagata Prefecture while others went to Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots of Japan.

They also joined tens of thousands of visitors who gathered in Sendai to witness a 2-hour long fireworks show, one of the most famous in the whole country. Just as popular was the Tanabata Festival, but the most memorable time was their last night in Sendai, when all of them gathered at a Karaoke club in cosplay wear, singing their hearts out.