Student Interview with Lu Guanlin | ISI Japanese Language School

Lu Guanlin

From China
Tokyo-Shinjuku Campus

Faculty of Letters & Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University
School of Japan Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
School of Business Administration, Meiji University
College of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University
Faculty of Commerce, Doshisha University
Admitted

Mr. Lu, could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?: Hello, everyone. I am from Guangzhou and I'm fairly quiet and introverted. I have a strong interest in learning and studying languages, and I have been teaching myself Japanese, Korean, and English. In my free time, I enjoy walking, hiking, reading, and writing.
What inspired you to study in Japan, Mr. Lu?: The main reason I came to Japan was that I was dissatisfied with the restrictions the Chinese education system placed on students. I wanted the freedom to study a wide range of subjects that interested me, and financial considerations also influenced my decision to come to Japan. As I hoped to deepen my interest in linguistics and sociology, I initially aimed to study sociology at universities such as Waseda University, Keio University, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and Hitotsubashi University.
Could you tell us about your overall process toward studying in Japan?: I first became interested in learning foreign languages when I was in my second year of middle school. From then on, I began teaching myself Japanese and Korean, and in my first year of high school, I passed the JLPT N1 and Level 4 of the Korean language proficiency test.

After deciding to study abroad, an adviser at a study abroad agency told me that I would need to take the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU). By that point, I had already decided to enroll at ISI Japanese Language School, and I also signed up for JUQ, ISI’s preparatory school. Beginning in early 2024, I took JUQ’s online courses from China to prepare for the exam. In November of that year, I traveled to Kobe to take the EJU and scored 682 points. I then began preparing for the TOEFL in early March 2025, shortly before leaving for Japan, and achieved a score of 102.

I then officially moved to Japan as an April 2025 enrollee and began taking university entrance examinations later that year, receiving offers of admission from several universities one after another.
At first glance, your admissions journey sounds as though it went very smoothly. Did you face any difficulties along the way?: The first university I applied to after arriving in Japan was Waseda University. At the time, I was highly confident in my abilities, so early in the application process, I applied to Waseda’s School of Social Sciences and School of Commerce, both of which place considerable emphasis on applicants’ overall scores. However, I did not devote much effort to my statement of purpose, and because it was my first university application, I had no interview experience. As a result, I was rejected after the university’s internal selection interview.

Being rejected by Waseda University was a major setback for me. Since it was the only university I had applied to at the time, the experience continued to haunt me throughout the exams that followed, almost like a form of PTSD. I began to doubt myself and gradually lost confidence in my abilities.
How did you overcome that difficult period?: I was able to keep myself going thanks to the unwavering support of my parents, as well as the constant encouragement I received from my friends and instructors at JUQ. As the admissions season progressed, I classified Hitotsubashi University and Keio University as my reach schools, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Meiji University as my target schools, and Rikkyo University and Doshisha University, which only required document screening, as my safety schools.

I also learned an important lesson from my rejection by Waseda. I dedicated myself to interview preparation and carefully refining my statement of purpose. Those efforts paid off, and I was first admitted to Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Meiji University.

One of the most memorable moments of my admissions journey was when the results from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies were released on the same day as ISI's school festival. The school had rented out a large venue, and both teachers and students were enjoying the celebration together. Upbeat festival music was playing from the stage, and everyone was dancing and having a great time. I checked the results on my phone—and I had been accepted! I was so excited that I couldn't help but join my classmates and dance.

Being admitted to Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Meiji University gave me a great sense of relief. Not only had I gained valuable admissions experience, but I had also regained my confidence. After that, when I took the entrance exam for Keio University, everything went much more smoothly.
Being admitted to five universities is an outstanding achievement! Could you tell us about your interview experiences during the admissions process?: The two interviews that left the strongest impression on me were those for Waseda University's School of Social Sciences and Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. The Waseda interview was conducted by a panel of three professors, and one question in particular has stayed with me: "If you found that this program did not allow you to study what you truly wanted to learn, would you still choose this major?" At the time, I hesitated and gave an uncertain answer. It was only afterward that I realized the question was really asking about my motivation for applying. Because I wasn't able to answer it confidently and directly, I believe it was one of the reasons I was not admitted to Waseda. That experience taught me just how important interview preparation is, especially in the early stages of the admissions process.

The interview at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, on the other hand, took the form of a series of follow-up questions. I was first asked, "What recent news story in Japan has left the strongest impression on you?" I answered, "Bear attacks." The interviewers then continued with questions such as, "Why do you think bear attacks have become such a serious issue?", "How should society respond to them?", "What can be done to protect the environment?", and "What role do you think international cooperation should play in environmental protection?" Through this series of questions, I felt that they were thoroughly assessing applicants' ability to think on their feet and organize their ideas logically in Japanese.

The most important thing is not to memorize your interview script word for word, but to fully understand its key points and make them your own. Doing so allows you to respond naturally and confidently, no matter what questions you are asked.
Looking back on the two years you devoted to preparing for the entrance exams—one year in China and another in Japan—how do you feel about the experience?: When I first took a leave of absence from high school to prepare for the EJU, I felt very lonely because I no longer had classmates to study with. Around that time, I began taking JUQ's online EJU preparation courses. Everyone in my class was highly motivated and always willing to help whenever I had a question. I was also fortunate to meet instructors who were highly skilled in teaching both Japan and the Comprehensive Humanities Studies. As a result, we had many opportunities to interact, both online and in person. I looked forward to JUQ's online classes every day.

Because I had not yet officially graduated from high school, I was unable to move to Japan right away and enroll in a language school. Instead, I spent each day dreaming about the life I would one day have in Japan. My instructors and classmates at JUQ often shared their experiences and interesting stories about living in Japan, and I always enjoyed listening to them. Hearing those stories made me even more motivated to study. JUQ was the place that introduced me to the EJU when I knew almost nothing about it. The Japanese, Mathematics, and especially Comprehensive Humanities courses gave me a very strong academic foundation.

JUQ also offered two free mock interviews for each university, and I took full advantage of those opportunities to practice. The instructors who conducted the interviews pointed out the areas where I needed improvement and helped me work through them one by one. They also created a group chat so that several instructors could support me together throughout the admissions process, making it easy for me to reach out whenever I needed help. They encouraged me not to give up on my goals and supported me not only with my applications, but also emotionally throughout the entire process.
Did you enjoy your time at language school? Some students with a high level of Japanese feel that attending a language school is a waste of time. What do you think?: Not at all. I actually consider myself very fortunate to have been placed into ISI's Advanced Level 3 class. Because the workload was relatively light, I had plenty of time after school to focus on preparing for the entrance exams. At ISI, I met many motivated and proactive classmates, and sometimes we would go out for meals together. The classes were centered on group discussions and presentations, and studying in the Advanced Level 3 class significantly improved my Japanese speaking skills.

Yamada sensei, my instructor at ISI, not only encouraged me to keep working toward my goals, but also corrected awkward parts of my statement of purpose and interview script. Before the registration deadline for the November EJU, the instructor recommended that I take the exam again, so I followed the advice and applied.

On the November EJU, my scores in Japanese and Comprehensive Humanities each increased by ten points compared with my previous attempt. That small improvement may have helped me pass the first round of Keio University’s admissions process. My interview performance also improved significantly, and I was ultimately accepted into both the Faculty of Letters and the Faculty of Policy Management at Keio University. Looking back, I realize that a decision that seemed insignificant at the time can sometimes become a major turning point in life. I am deeply grateful to the instructors who gave me the encouragement I needed when I was faced with an important choice.
Do you have any advice for students who are already in Japan preparing for university entrance exams?: My advice is to always accept yourself, even when you feel that you are at your worst. You may currently be worried about many things, including the EJU, TOEFL, university entrance exams, applications, and the cost of studying abroad. At first, I also complained, felt anxious at times, and occasionally became overconfident. Even so, after taking a short break, I would always get back on my feet and continue taking the EJU, submitting applications, and attending interviews.

Success often comes down to a single moment, but the effort and perseverance built up throughout the long journey are essential to achieving it. It is only natural to experience negative emotions during this stage. Rather than resisting them, accept them as part of life—as a kind of everyday reality—and simply keep moving forward.
Looking back on your study abroad experience, what three keywords would you use to describe it?: Have fun, learn a lot, and challenge yourself.

I put "have fun" first because I personally love the freedom and flexibility of Japan's learning environment. By "having fun," I don't just mean playing games. I mean traveling, eating out, cooking for myself, and actively trying things that I would never have had the chance to experience in my home country.

Personally, I really love a free and unrestricted learning environment like the one in Japan, so I listed “playing a lot” as my top priority. Of course, this doesn’t just mean playing video games—it also means enjoying travel, eating out, and cooking for myself, as well as actively trying new things I wouldn’t be able to experience back home.

Finally, what I consider most important is actively taking on new challenges. This idea also encompasses the previous two points. Whether it is applying to a university that seems one level above your current ability, trying a lifestyle you have never experienced before, or visiting a place you have never been, as long as you are willing to take on the challenge, new possibilities will surely come your way. Once you find the courage to take that first step, many things in the world will suddenly begin to come into clearer view.

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