Student Interview with Liao Yixuan | ISI Japanese Language School

Liao Yixuan

From Taiwan
Tokyo-Shinjuku Campus

Musashino Art University, Department of Industrial, Interior and Craft Design
Admitted

Hello! Could you please introduce yourself?: Hello, everyone! I am from Taiwan and attended a regular school through high school. In elementary school, the curriculum included one Japanese class a week, and I also took art lessons outside school. As a child, I often drew in notebooks and made things using materials I found around me.

I began studying drawing in the second semester of my third year of junior high school. I later learned watercolor painting and calligraphy as well, and continued attending an art studio until I graduated from high school. By high school, I had already decided to go to Japan and attend an art university. After discussing it with my art teacher, I practiced drawing and color composition using collections of past entrance examination questions as a reference. However, since no one around me had experience with this and the universities’ official websites did not provide information about entrance examinations for international students, my practice was not actually headed in the most appropriate direction. I began studying Japanese in my first year of high school. I first took online courses for a year and then received one-on-one, in-person lessons at a Japanese language school.

I came to Japan in July 2025 and began studying at ISI Japanese Language School and taking classes at JUQ at the same time.
How did you learn about ISI and JUQ, and why did you choose our school?: I had previously studied at ISI’s Takadanobaba Campus for about a month during the summer vacation of my second year of high school, so I decided to enroll at ISI Japanese Language School again when I came to Japan this time. I later learned through ISI that there was a preparatory school located on campus. I chose JUQ because it was convenient and would save me commuting time.
Why did you decide to come to Japan? Why did you choose this university and major?: I had dreamed of studying in Japan since I was young. In high school, I realized that my passion for art was much stronger than my interest in any other field. After deciding to pursue an art-related degree, I considered both my interests and my chances of success in the entrance exams, discussed my options with my parents, and ultimately chose this major. I chose this university because I was accustomed to living in a city and felt reassured knowing people in Tokyo, so I decided to apply to the five major art universities in Tokyo.
Could you tell us about your overall preparation process for the entrance examination? When did you begin preparing, how long did you spend on it, and what kinds of efforts did you make?: I knew that my goal would not be easy to achieve, so from the very beginning I tried not to miss classes and took every lesson and practice session seriously. Especially after the autumn break ended in October, I treated my preparation as if I were preparing for university entrance exams. I devoted myself fully to practicing and made sure to thoroughly cover every topic that could appear on the exam. On most days, after finishing my morning classes at Japanese language school, I would grab a simple lunch from a food stall near the school, eat it in the self-study room on the 14th floor, take a short break, and then start studying for the entrance exams.

I began preparing my application materials by completing the first draft of my statement of purpose one or two weeks ahead of schedule. I wrote it myself without using translation tools, only looking up words online when necessary, and discussed it with my teacher many times. I had written a rough initial draft after an art studies class on statements of purpose in September, and my teacher gave me guidance on how to revise it. After submitting my application, I began preparing for Tama Art University as well. I allocated my time according to my own level to prepare for still-life drawing, essay writing, Tama Art University's table drawing exam, and color composition. At the same time, I also worked on my interview script and continued practicing for the interview.

My study schedule was organized as follows: I spent three hours each week practicing still-life drawing, making sure to complete each piece within three hours. I also practiced table drawing and color composition twice a week. In addition, I wrote essays twice a week—once on a weekday afternoon and once on the weekend—and received feedback from my professor during class. After receiving corrections, I made my own notes on grammar and vocabulary that I was prone to getting wrong. I often went to school on weekends for independent study and asked my teacher for feedback during class. Throughout this process, I gradually completed my interview script, and from early December I began scheduling mock interviews. At the same time, I practiced with my professor repeatedly during Saturday art theory classes, and I also held mock interviews with friends, taking turns interviewing each other and exchanging feedback. In addition, I regularly listened to news podcasts to improve my Japanese listening skills and to prepare for possible interview questions about current events.
What challenges did you face while preparing for the entrance exams, and how did you overcome them?: First, regarding drawing, although I had built a solid foundation over nearly three and a half years in Taiwan, Japanese approaches to composition and the depiction of light and shadow differed somewhat from what I had previously learned. By observing my classmates' work, I identified strengths that I had not yet developed myself, discussed them with my professor, and sought advice on how to improve. Through consistent practice, I gradually improved my skills and trained myself to produce high-quality drawings within the time limit. I had also long struggled with perspective and spatial representation. I repeatedly sought feedback from my teachers and asked how to check perspective and how to practice it in daily life, trying various methods to improve. For example, in addition to standing up and viewing the entire drawing from a distance, I rotated the paper to check the perspective of cylindrical objects. I also drew a grid resembling X and Y axes on the surface so that all the objects would appear to rest on the same plane. In my daily practice, I drew corners of rooms or spent five minutes each day doing simple perspective exercises with objects. I also used different pencil strokes to convey depth and distance.

Next, regarding color composition, I started relatively late, so at first I struggled to grasp the techniques and was never satisfied with my work. Realizing that practicing only during class was not enough, I began using a drawing application on my tablet to practice composition and color schemes. Even though I encountered many setbacks, I never gave up. I showed my teacher the unfinished or rough pieces I had practiced on my own, as well as works where I struggled with, and continued practicing as long as it did not interfere with preparing for my other assignments. The same applied to my practice using actual drawing paper and paint. If I could not finish during class, I completed the work in my spare time. When I had no unfinished pieces, I sometimes set aside five hours in the afternoon or on weekends for intensive practice. By making the most of every opportunity to practice, I gradually improved day by day.
What kind of support did you receive from the teachers at JUQ?: Throughout my preparation, I received tremendous support from professors who had extensive experience with the entrance examination process. During class, my Japanese professors consistently provided practical and insightful advice, and I learned a great deal from their guidance. Through our conversations, I was also able to improve my Japanese language skills. I frequently sought their advice whenever I had questions, and during this period, I could clearly see my own progress. Whenever I showed initiative—whether in my statement of purpose, drawing, color composition, essay writing, or interview preparation—they always gave me detailed feedback, which was an invaluable source of support. I am sincerely grateful to my instructors for their constant encouragement, thoughtful guidance, and unwavering support throughout the entire process.
Could you tell us specifically about the university’s entrance examination?: There were three professors and three applicants, and we took turns answering the questions.

1. Reason for applying: I have loved art and making things by hand since I was young, which led me to develop an interest in textiles. I also believe that it is important to approach ideas from many different perspectives when studying art, so I would like to explore a variety of fields with textiles as my main focus. Your university offers a highly diverse curriculum, and I hope to study here and broaden my perspective.

2. What I focused on in the previous day’s drawing test: I paid particular attention to the composition and spatial representation and tried to fully convey the texture of each object. (I do not remember my answer very clearly.)

3. An aspect of my country’s culture that I would like to preserve or share with the world: I think one of the best parts of our culture is how naturally people help one another. Even when it comes to strangers, people naturally offer a helping hand. I hope more people around the world will come to know and appreciate this aspect of our culture.

4. The strengths and weaknesses of Cup Noodles packaging design: The cylindrical package is very convenient because it's easy to open the lid and hold while pouring in hot water. However, its shape also makes it difficult to pack efficiently in a suitcase. In that respect, I think a different package shape might be a more practical option.

→ What shape do you think would be better: I once tried designing a square package, but found that the lid became more difficult to peel off and that it was harder to hold the container in one hand while pouring in hot water. For that reason, I ultimately think the original cylindrical design is better.

5. Plans after the interview: The applicant before me did not fully understand what the professor was asking, so I confirmed the intent of the question. The professor wanted to know what I planned to do after the examination that day. Since today’s examination would be my last one of the year, I answered that I wanted to go to karaoke and study Japanese while singing. I also planned to borrow a novel from the school library and learn more Japanese through reading.
How was your experience studying at JUQ?: The learning environment was very comfortable and convenient. There was also a wide range of entrance exam information and still-life reference materials, which allowed me to practice drawing a variety of objects and textures. Since the number of students was relatively small, I had plenty of opportunities to interact with and learn directly from the instructors. They were also very kind and supportive. However, I didn't have many chances to see the work of other students applying to the same program, so it wasn't until the actual entrance exam that I felt my perspective had really broadened. I also realized that, in addition to learning from the instructors, growing through friendly competition and exchanging ideas with fellow students is just as important.
Could you share the secret to gaining admission after only five months of preparation?: From the beginning, I had a clear understanding of my goal and the strong will and perseverance needed to achieve it. Before coming to Japan, I continued working hard and stayed true to my convictions even while following a path different from those around me. After arriving in Japan, I remained unaffected by others and devoted myself fully to the dream I had held for many years. Whenever I had free time, I dedicated myself to exam preparation, even sacrificing exhibitions I wanted to visit and movies I had been looking forward to watching. Whenever I faced setbacks, I chose to confront them with the belief that determination and hard work could make up for my weaknesses. I believed that continuing to work and practice was the only way to move one step closer to admission. I understand that luck also plays a role in art university entrance examinations, but I believe luck is something that should only be discussed and relied upon after one has already worked to the absolute limit. I trusted myself and drew motivation from my desire to honor the person I had been, as well as the family, friends, and teachers who supported me. I stayed aware of what I was doing, believed that I was on the right path, and kept moving forward.
Do you have any advice for younger students who have already come to Japan and are preparing for their entrance examinations?: Do not avoid your weaknesses. Face them directly and improve them, or strengthen other areas so that your weaknesses do not overshadow your strengths.

Give your absolute best within the time you have. Since talent and luck are beyond your control, the only thing you can do is maximize your chances of success through hard work. While it may be the only thing you can control, it is also your greatest strength.

Without perseverance, all the effort you have made can come to nothing. Perseverance is essential if you want your hard work to bear fruit.

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