Student Interview with Jia Xiaoqing
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- Student Interview with Jia Xiaoqing
Jia Xiaoqing
From China
Kyoto Campus
College of Business Administration, Department of Business Administration, Ritsumeikan University
Faculty of Commerce, Department of Commerce, Doshisha University
Admitted
- Ms. Jia, what inspired you to study abroad in Japan?
- In 2017, I visited Japan with my mother, and I was very impressed by the country's environment. In addition, my father worked with Japanese companies through his job, so I was naturally influenced by him and became interested in studying in Japan.
I've always been a big fan of anime and video games, and Touken Ranbu is my favorite. Since I had long admired Kyoto, the setting of Touken Ranbu, I chose Kyoto as my study abroad destination. - What was your impression of Japan? Was it different from what you had expected before coming?
- Overall, my impression of Japan was very much in line with what I had expected. Life here has been very comfortable. One thing that did surprise me, however, was that most shops in Kyoto close by around 8 p.m., which was a little different from what I had imagined. I would definitely recommend Kyoto to anyone who enjoys visiting temples and shrines. The city is very peaceful, and since there aren't many entertainment options, it's also an ideal place to focus on studying.
- Have you had any memorable experiences since coming to Japan?
- One night after my cram school class, I met up with a friend at McDonald's for a quick meal and a chat. We got so caught up in our conversation that I didn't realize my wallet was missing until I got home. I panicked because I had no idea when or where I had lost it, so the first thing I did was call the friend I had been with that evening. He patiently reassured me, saying, "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll find it, so try not to panic," and even contacted the McDonald's for me. It turned out that I had left my wallet there, and one of the staff members had already turned it in to the police. Even though it was late at night, my friend accompanied me to the police station. It was definitely a frightening experience, but I'm truly grateful for his kindness and support.
- What made you decide to enroll at ISI?
- First, I was impressed by ISI's campus environment, and my parents also had a very positive impression of it.
Another reason was its diverse international student community. Since there aren't many Chinese students and everyone communicates in Japanese on a daily basis, I naturally have plenty of opportunities to practice and improve my Japanese conversation skills. - What was your experience like at the language school?
- The school facilities are very clean, and the Kyoto campus even has a snack corner. If I don't have time to eat before class, I can grab something quick during the break, which is really convenient. (Laughs)
The learning atmosphere in my class is also excellent. My classmates are all highly motivated, and since we communicate in Japanese every day, I can practice speaking the language and improve my conversational skills.
The teachers are also highly dedicated and supportive. They analyze each student's academic performance to recommend the most suitable schools, provide detailed feedback on personal statements, and conduct mock interviews.
The school offers elective classes once a week, allowing students to choose courses tailored to their goals, such as JLPT or EJU preparation. These classes include working through past exam papers and receiving guidance from Japanese instructors. - Was there a teacher you particularly liked or who was especially helpful to you?
- Instructor Nasa Tsukuda and Instructor Yoko Shimase.
Tsukuda sensei is very kind and cheerful. During the university entrance examination period, she gave me several little notes with encouraging messages. On graduation day, she also thoughtfully prepared some sweets for me. I still treasure them so much that I can hardly bring myself to eat them (laughs).
I really enjoyed Shimase sensei’s classes. By having students talk about recent events in their lives, it not only helped us improve our conversational skills but also encouraged interaction among classmates. - Could you tell us your scores on each examination?
- June 2024, Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU):
Japanese: 334, Comprehensive Humanities: 178, Mathematics: 129, Writing: 40
June 2024, TOEIC: 775
December 2024, JLPT N1: 116 - Could you tell us in detail about the written examinations and interview processes at the universities where you were accepted?
- Ritsumeikan University’s College of Business Administration evaluated applicants based solely on their application documents. Doshisha University did not have a written examination and required only an interview. For the interview, I first waited in a classroom until my number was called, then moved to the interview room. There were two interviewers. It was not a high-pressure interview; the atmosphere was relatively relaxed, and they asked only basic questions that I had prepared for. The interview lasted about ten minutes.
- What was the greatest difficulty you faced during the university application process?
- As the application deadline approached, I applied for an English .language score report and discovered that the name on it did not match the Romanized name on my passport. Instead, it had been issued using an English spelling based on the pronunciation of my name. However, the university application guidelines clearly stated that only score reports bearing the same name as the passport would be accepted. Correcting the name and having the score report reissued would take time, so I was concerned that it might not arrive before the application deadline. I then emailed each university to explain the situation and followed their instructions. For example, one university informed me that the report would be accepted as long as the photograph matched the one in my passport, while another advised me to submit the report with the incorrect name first and provide the corrected version later. By following each university's guidance, I was ultimately able to complete all of my applications successfully.
- What changes have you noticed in yourself through your experience of studying abroad?
- I think I have become more independent, both in terms of everyday life skills and my personality. I have also developed the ability to gather information and think for myself, and I believe my cooking skills have improved as well!
