Student Interview with Lu Yu | ISI Japanese Language School

Lu Yu

From China
Tokyo-Takadanobaba Campus

School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo
Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Graduate School of Science and Technology, Meiji University
Admitted

Hello, Ms. Lu! Could you please introduce yourself to everyone?: Hello everyone! I’m from Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China. Lanzhou is a city located in the northwestern part of the country, a region that is often considered relatively remote. I would describe myself as outgoing and energetic. I enjoy sports and try to stay active by going to the gym regularly and spending time outdoors.
After graduating from university, I worked for leading companies in industries such as real estate and internet services. In 2021, I began studying Japanese in my spare time. At first, I simply wanted to broaden my skill set, so I casually studied using language-learning apps. In 2023, after a series of job transfers, I came to realize that learning another language would be valuable for my future career development, so I began studying Japanese through online courses. As work-related pressures continued to grow due to factors such as departmental restructuring, I increasingly felt the need to take a break from work and eventually decided to resign later that year. After traveling to Japan on my own in 2024, I decided to study abroad there.
After carefully researching my options, I applied to ISI Japanese Language School and JUQ. Following consultations with staff members from both institutions, I began preparing for the entrance examinations in March 2024, studying Japanese, English, and specialized subjects simultaneously. After arriving in Japan in July 2024, I took the JLPT and then took the TOEFL three times between August and October until I achieved my target score. Altogether, my exam preparation took about a year.
It must have taken considerable courage to leave a stable position at a major company without another job waiting for you. What were your thoughts when you made the decision to move to Japan?: One reason was that the pressure from my job had become overwhelming, leaving me both mentally and physically exhausted. I wanted to start a new chapter of my life in a different environment. The other reason was that I wanted to pursue higher education. Since childhood, I had done well in school, and my parents believed I was capable of achieving more than jusy a bachelor's degree. I also wanted to broaden my horizons, so I decided to leave my job and study abroad.

In fact, the Tokyo Institute of Technology was my first choice. As a chemistry major, I couldn’t help but be attracted to one of Japan’s most prestigious universities for science and engineering. Although my work after graduation was not closely related to chemistry, I chose to revisit the field through my studies abroad because it was connected to my undergraduate major and would allow me to build on the knowledge I had already acquired. Chemistry had been my strongest subject since high school, and I have always felt both a deep passion for and respect toward the field. It felt like reconnecting with the passion that first drew me to the field.

You came to Japan as a July intake student, and applications for the July intake are currently open at the language school. For the benefit of future applicants, could you tell us about your exam preparation timeline?
Of course! Here’s a brief overview of my study abroad timeline:: March 2024: Decided to study abroad in Japan. Submitted the necessary documents and began the visa and school application process. At the same time, I started a structured study plan covering Japanese, English, and specialized subjects.

→ Study Plan: Every weekday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., I focused on memorizing vocabulary, preparing for the JLPT N2 and TOEFL. From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., I worked on past exam questions for my specialized subject, and from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., I practiced with past exam questions in both Japanese and English.

April-October 2024: Continued preparing for the JLPT N2 and TOEL and successfully earned both certifications
July 2024: Moved to Japan
October 2024: Started contacting prospective professors
December 2024: Visited the Tokyo Metropolitan University
January-February 2025: Prepared for the Tokyo Metropolitan University entrance examination, but was unsuccessful on my first attempt
March 2025: After refocusing my efforts, I developed my research proposal, reached out to a professor at Meiji University, and visited the campus
April-June 2025: Thoroughly reviewed the application guidelines, completed my applications, worked through entrance exam questions from the past ten years for each university, and prepared interview scripts
July 2025: Took the entrance examinations for the Institute of Science Tokyo and Tokyo Metropolitan University
August 2025: Took the entrance examinations for the Institue of Science Tokyo and Tokyo Metropolitan University
September-October 2025: Received the admission results and was accepted to three universities
It seems your journey to university admission wasn't always smooth. What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?: One challenge was that each university had a very different examination format, making it difficult to prepare for all of them with a single study strategy. Another was the lack of access to past exam papers. Many universities do not publish them, and even when they do, only the most recent five years are usually available, often without answer keys. That's why visiting research laboratories was so important. By visiting professors' labs and speaking with current students, I was able to build connections and gather information that was difficult to find elsewhere. From my experience, the students I contacted were all very friendly and supportive of my interest in their laboratories. Some even generously shared past entrance exam questions and sample answers with me at no cost. Another recommendation from the JUQ instructors was to use Mercari, a popular Japanese marketplace for secondhand items, to purchase study materials. It was extremely practical and helpful.

Another challenge was that the application guidelines were quite complex, making it difficult for non-native speakers to quickly identify the key information. I am grateful to the JUQ instructors for patiently helping me review the guidelines and for carefully checking each document during the application process.
What research topic did you choose at the time?: My research proposal was based on my undergraduate thesis, "Catalytic Combustion Purification of Chlorine Containing Organic Exhaust Gases Using Ceria Based Catalysts." Building on this foundation, I further refined the purification approach, which ultimately led to the research topic, "The Effects of Different Support Materials on the Catalytic Performance of Ceria Nanoparticles."

I chose this research proposal because I was already familiar with the field and had a solid academic foundation in it. However, based on my experience, the choice of research topic itself does not determine whether you will be admitted. For example, Tokyo Metropolitan University did not require applicants to submit a research proposal. Of course, while preparing my research proposal, I received a great deal of advice from a professor in my field. For example, they suggested selecting a carrier with greater research significance, using molecular probes in the analysis, and comparing catalytic performance by measuring the surface area.
Could you tell us about the entrance examinations at the three universities where you were admitted?: 1. Meiji University (Written Examination and Interview on the Same Day)

・Written Examination: The exam consisted entirely of basic questions, although a few were somewhat unconventional. It focused heavily on fundamental physics knowledge, and past exam questions appeared quite frequently. I would estimate that around 50% of the questions were taken from previous exams.

・Interview: The interview consisted of four questions covering my research proposal, undergraduate thesis, reasons for applying, and the other universities I had applied to. The questions themselves were basic, and around ten professors were present during the interview.

2. Tokyo University of Science (Interview Held Approximately One Week After Passing the Written Examination)

・Written Examination: Applicants were required to choose two subjects from seven chemistry fields. I chose Organic Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry, and I would recommend these two subjects if you do not have a particular area of specialization. The exam consisted of Part A (Fundamentals) and Part B (Advanced), which were taken consecutively with a 15-minute break in between. There were a large number of questions, leaving almost no time to review my answers, and the answer sheets were collected immediately after the exam ended. All of the questions fell within the scope of the official examination guidelines, so having a thorough understanding of the two textbooks was sufficient. Past exam questions appeared quite frequently. Conservatively speaking, I would estimate that around 30% of the questions were taken from previous exams, most of which were from exams conducted about five years earlier.

・Interview: The interview was conducted online via Zoom. Applicants were required to prepare a single PowerPoint slide summarizing their undergraduate thesis and research proposal and present it within two minutes. Interviews were conducted in the order of the applicants' stated preferences, beginning with their first choice, and applicants could have up to two or three interviews in the same morning. During the first interview, approximately six faculty members, including the professor from my first choice, participated online. They asked highly detailed questions about my research, such as the temperature, time, and reaction mechanism, as well as its potential future applications and my personal goals. Simply memorizing the interview presentation was not enough to answer every question. It was important to fully understand everything I had written and respond flexibly to whatever questions were asked. If applicants were not accepted by their first choice, they were immediately notified by a professor while waiting in the virtual waiting room, and another interview was arranged with a professor from their next-choice department. The second interview was relatively brief and ended after confirming the expected enrollment period in general.

Note: This is my personal opinion, but I found the online interview at Tokyo Institute of Science to be highly intense. Because there was no direct eye contact, it was easy to become nervous, and students who are not confident in their Japanese may find themselves becoming so anxious that their speech becomes incoherent (as happened to me). However, if you achieve a high score on the written examination, you are unlikely to be rejected.

3. Tokyo Metropolitan University (The interview was held one day after passing the written examination.)

・Written examination: The exam consisted of two consecutive sections, Part A (Fundamentals) and Part B (Advanced), with a 15-minute break in between. Part A covered organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, and all questions had to be answered. The inorganic chemistry section also included analytical chemistry, while the physical chemistry section included molecular dynamics. In Part B, applicants were required to choose two out of four subjects. I chose organic and inorganic chemistry again.

Note: This is just my personal opinion, but I found the written examination at Tokyo Metropolitan University to be more difficult than that of Tokyo University of Science, making it less worthwhile in terms of the amount of preparation required. Applicants needed to review all five core chemistry subjects. A total of 46 applicants advanced to the interview stage, including current students who were exempt from the written examination. Of those, only five were external applicants.

・Interview: Since a research proposal was not required, the interview felt more like a casual conversation. Perhaps the written examination was so difficult that the interview served largely as a formality. The only questions I was asked were whether I found the written examination difficult, whether I intended to enroll at the university if admitted, and my reason for applying.
Those really were three highly challenging entrance exams! Looking back, how did you find your exam preparation at JUQ?: I enrolled in JUQ's 40-hour one-on-one mentoring program along with its accompanying TOEFL preparation course.

As for the one-on-one lessons, I am deeply grateful to my instructor Liu, who guided me throughout the program. When I first began preparing to study abroad, I felt very uncertain. I was older than many other applicants, my previous work experience was completely unrelated to my university major, and my academic record was neither particularly strong nor particularly weak. Thanks to Instructor Liu’s constant encouragement and guidance, I was able to gain confidence. They helped me realize that the admissions process was nothing to be afraid of and that I could achieve my goals as long as I remained committed and worked steadily. Instructor Liu’s own outstanding achievements were also a constant source of motivation, showing me the possibilities that studying in Japan could open up.

At the beginning of the TOEFL course, an instructor from Waseda University kindly and thoroughly explained the test format and study methods. I am grateful for their support.

I would also like to thank each of the academic staff members who helped me along the way.

Instructor Chen, a graduate of Meiji University, motivated me with both encouragement and firm guidance when I first arrived in Japan and felt completely lost. If Instructor Chen had not said to me, “Please don’t make me regret believing in you,” I do not think I would have been able to pass the bilingual entrance examination within six months.

Instructor Kong, who is currently studying at Tokyo Institute of Technology, has a very cool personality, but every piece of advice they gave me was practical and useful. Even while back home on vacation, they answered my phone call and helped me organize and refine my interview script for Tokyo Institute of Technology.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Instructor Wang was like a second parent to me throughout my entrance examination journey. With every application I submitted, Instructor Wang carefully reviewed and checked every detail. Before and after each exam, they always offered me words of encouragement and comfort, easing my anxiety through emotional support while helping me overcome challenges with practical guidance.
Overall, the entire team of instructors at JUQ walked alongside me throughout the nearly year-and-a-half-long journey, filled with ups and downs. Whenever I was on the verge of giving up, they encouraged me to “keep going” more times than I can count. Although I was an international student living in a foreign country, I was always able to feel the warmth sent from my homeland. To all of you, thank you so much.
Do you have any advice for younger students who have already come to Japan and are preparing for their entrance examinations?: I may not be qualified to offer advice just yet. After all, I have only taken my first step, and many more challenges still lie ahead of me. But if I were to say, "Don't be afraid, and believe in yourself." At language school, some of the classmates who had initially promised to prepare for graduate school entrance examinations together eventually found jobs one after another, and we gradually grew apart. Of course, I am not saying that getting a job is a bad thing. Being able to find a stable job in Japan early on is a wonderful achievement. However, it is important to believe in yourself and think about why you came to Japan. The path toward entrance examinations is filled with uncertainty and temptation, but do not be afraid. As long as you stay true to yourself, there will be people willing to help you.
Looking back on your journey to getting accepted, what three keywords best describe your entrance exam experience?: "Perseverance": If I were to give up and return to my home country now, what would have been the point of everything I have invested? (I put all of my savings into this.) Let's give it a little more effort.

"Courage": It takes a great deal of courage to leave a major company in your home country at the age of 29, come to Japan to study, and take on the challenge of graduate school entrance examinations, doesn't it?

“Relaxation”: Even if something looks difficult at first glance, it is not as hard as it seems if you work through each small task one by one. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

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