Student Interview with Liang Lu | ISI Japanese Language School

Liang Lu

From China
Tokyo-Takadanobaba Campus

Kyushu University Graduate School of Design
Media Design Course
Admitted

Why did you decide to study in Japan?: After graduating from high school in 2018, I traveled to Japan for the first time. The trip left a deep impression on me. I found Japan’s sense of order and the respectful distance people keep from one another to be very comfortable. I majored in digital media at university, and through my studies, I had many opportunities to encounter Japanese dramas and design works. I came to realize that Japanese design reflects careful observation and insight into everyday life, while also displaying an exceptionally high degree of precision and artistry. I was deeply drawn to this design philosophy, and it also gave me a deeper understanding of the relationship between art and design. That is why I would like to further study an art-related field in Japan and improve my knowledge and skills in this area.
Let’s talk about your impressions of Japan. Were they different from what you had expected before coming here?: No, there was no difference. To me, Japan is a country with a very strong sense of order while also maintaining an appropriate sense of distance. The staff here are usually very cheerful and kind, yet they always maintain an excellent balance. When you need help, they do everything they can to support you, but when you do not, they do not approach you unnecessarily, allowing you to feel comfortable and free. I think that as long as you respect the order and rules in Japan, you can live a free and well-organized life.
What has been the happiest moment for you since coming to Japan?: The happiest moment for me was spending New Year's Eve and New Year's with my friends. We cooked together at my place, made dumplings, and watched the Spring Festival Gala on YouTube. Before coming to Japan, I had prepared myself for the possibility that I might not make any friends at all. But in reality, I was fortunate enough to meet wonderful friends. I don't think there's anything more precious than having friends like that in a foreign country. Spending New Year's Eve and New Year's together was something I could never have imagined before I came to Japan.
How was your learning experience at ISI Japanese Language School?: What stood out most about ISI for me were its elective courses and the Career Expo. During breaks from exam preparation, I took elective classes related to job hunting, which gave me a good understanding of Japan's employment landscape in advance. At the Career Expo, not only universities but also many vocational schools were introduced, giving students a wide range of options. ISI also offered many events where we could experience Japanese culture. Overall, I felt that student life at ISI went far beyond studying from textbooks—it provided plenty of opportunities to relax, enjoy new experiences, and broaden my horizons.
Was there a teacher you particularly liked or who was especially helpful to you?: Last year, when I was preparing for the entrance exams, Instructor Homma at the school gave me a great deal of help with revising my writing and preparing for interviews. The instructor always responded promptly to everything I sent and provided detailed suggestions for improvement.

Later, my instructor in charge changed to Hayashi sensei. The instructor checked my application documents and also helped me practice for interviews. Hayashi sensei is very energetic, and at times, almost feels like a kindergarten teacher. The classes are always relaxed and enjoyable, making students feel the joy of learning and a passion for life. What I gained from the instructor was not only academic guidance, but also a positive outlook on life.
Could you tell us about your test scores, application results, and when you were admitted?: July 2023, JLPT N1: 108
June 2024, TOEFL: 80
September 2024: Admitted to the Media Design Course at Kyushu University’s Graduate School of Design

I came to Japan in April 2023. My first year of entrance exam preparation was a continuous process of trial and error. I applied to and took entrance exams for several art universities, but by around March 2024, when all of my 2023 applications had concluded, I had not been admitted anywhere, while all of my friends around me had received offers.
Did you analyze why you weren't accepted in your first year?: Yes. I identified two main reasons. The first was that my background wasn't a good fit for the program I applied to, and the second was the lack of consistency between my portfolio and my research proposal.

At first, I applied to an Information Design program, even though it was outside my original field of study. The portfolio I presented to the professor had also been recreated specifically for the entrance exam, so it didn't include the professional work I had produced during my undergraduate studies. In addition, the research theme in my proposal had no connection to the portfolio I submitted. Because there was no clear consistency between the two, I wasn't able to convince the professor.

At the time, I was genuinely anxious and unsure whether I should continue pursuing graduate school. I even considered finding a job instead, and I also thought about taking the IELTS and applying to universities overseas.
How did you adjust your approach after experiencing the setback in your first year?: For my second attempt, I changed my field of study to one that was closer to my undergraduate major in Digital Media. I also revised both my portfolio and my research proposal, adding the photography and video projects I had created during university.

Around that time, a friend of my mother's introduced me to a teacher. The teacher recommended a professor's laboratory at Kyushu University, believing it would be a great fit for me. That recommendation became the turning point in my entrance exam journey.
Could you walk us through the Kyushu University admissions process?: Around May 2024, I contacted a professor at Kyushu University and sent my résumé, statement of purpose, research proposal summary, and portfolio. After the professor expressed interest in my application, we had an online meeting, during which I revised my research proposal.

In June, I visited Kyushu University and met with the professor in person. The professor introduced me to the laboratory and also gave me advice on how to improve my research proposal. At the same time, I got past entrance exam papers from the Academic Affairs Office. After that, I continued corresponding with the professor by email and revised my research proposal several more times.

I began preparing for the entrance exam around July. The Kyushu University admissions process consisted of a written examination and an interview. For the written exam, I mainly memorized the topics that had appeared in the past three years' entrance exams. For the interview, I had to prepare a PowerPoint presentation and give a three-minute presentation. The professor gave me a great deal of advice on the presentation and also helped me prepare for the questions I was likely to be asked.

The official examination took place at the end of August. The written exam went smoothly overall, and most of the questions covered material I had already memorized. The interview was conducted by a panel of six or seven professors, with me as the only interviewee. The entire interview lasted only about ten minutes, including my three-minute presentation. The presentation time was much shorter than I had expected, so I wasn't able to cover everything I had prepared. In addition, most of the professors' questions were unexpected, and I felt that I hadn't answered one of them very well. After the interview, I was a little discouraged because I didn't have enough time to fully demonstrate what I had prepared. I remained anxious until the admission results were announced.
What changes have you noticed in yourself through your experience of studying abroad?: I think I have changed in three major ways.

First, I've become much more emotionally stable when facing major challenges than I used to be. At the same time, however, I sometimes feel that I've gradually grown more distant from other people. There are even times when I find it difficult to open up about my anxieties, even to my closest friends.

Second, I've become more open to different possibilities. Studying abroad naturally exposes you to a more diverse world, and as I learned to become more accepting of others, I also became less critical of myself than I used to be.

During the admissions process, I also had to shift away from the exam-oriented mindset I had developed over more than ten years of education and learn to think independently. Before coming to Japan, I was used to simply following my teachers' instructions throughout my education, from preparing for university entrance exams to my undergraduate studies. However, throughout the year and a half I spent preparing to study abroad, I developed the habit of learning and thinking for myself. For example, whenever I communicated with my professor, rather than simply giving me instructions, the professor constantly asked questions that encouraged me to think through problems and find the answers on my own. This was one of the valuable lessons I learned.

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