Student Interview with Wang Yiru | ISI Japanese Language School

Wang Yiru

From China
Tokyo-Takadanobaba Campus

The University of Tokyo, Natural Sciences II
Tokyo University of Science, Faculty of Advanced Engineering
Hokkaido University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
University of Tsukuba, College of Chemistry, School of Science and Engineering
Waseda University, School of Advanced Science and Engineering
Tokyo University of Science, Department of Materials Science and Technology
Admitted

Could you tell us what made you decide to study in Japan?: There were two reasons why I chose to study in Japan.
First, as many people know, studying in Japan offers excellent value for money. Second, Japan’s chemistry and materials science field has been developing for a relatively long time, is highly advanced, and has promising prospects for the future. This is the field I would like to study. However, the situation in this field in China is... a little complicated. (laughs)
How was your study abroad experience after arriving in Japan?: Everything went very smoothly! My mother came with me, and ISI also provided an airport pickup service. For the first three months, I stayed in an ISI dormitory while I got settled in Japan.
What was your impression of Japan? Was it different from what you had imagined before coming here?: When I visited Japan in 2017, I had the impression that the country was very clean and orderly. However, after actually living in Japan for an extended period, I realized that there were also some unexpectedly untidy areas, such as the busy streets of Shinjuku. I was also surprised by how many office workers there were dressed in suits!
What has been the happiest, most memorable, or most challenging experience you've had since coming to Japan?: At the time, I had asked a teacher at an educational institution in China to register me for the June EJU on my behalf. However, when I received my admission ticket, I was shocked to discover that I hadn’t been registered for the mathematics section. I was absolutely devastated! My teacher felt terribly sorry about what had happened, helped me figure out the best solution, and rearranged my exam schedule.
I had thought that once I finished the June EJU, I would finally be done with it. I never imagined that I would have to take the November EJU as well. So, if you’re applying for the EJU, make sure to double-check your registration carefully!
Tell us about people you met after coming to Japan. Do you have any memorable stories with them?: One of my closest friends was attending a high school in Tsukuba, so they would often come to Tokyo and stay at my place. Having a close friend by my side throughout that year of preparing for university entrance exams meant so much to me. We watched the Christmas Eve fireworks together in Odaiba, and after I had finished all of my entrance exams, we took a trip to New Zealand and had an amazing time for a few days. Looking back, those moments became some of my happiest memories.
What was your experience like at the language school, and why did you choose ISI?: My teacher at the cram school I attended in China recommended ISI Japanese Language School to me. After looking into it, I found that ISI had a great location and an excellent campus environment.
After enrolling, I found that the facilities were indeed modern and well equipped. My class had a wonderful atmosphere, my classmates were all fun to be around, and the teachers at ISI were also incredibly kind.
Was there a teacher who left a particularly strong impression on you?: Yes, my homeroom teacher, Onuki sensei. She had an interesting contrast in her personality—strict during class, but kind outside of it. She always looked out for me. At the time, I was applying to several national universities, and the entrance exam schedules were extremely tight. Balancing language school with university entrance exams was very challenging. I was worried that my attendance would be strictly monitored, but she understood my situation and supported me throughout the process. Whenever I had to travel to take entrance exams at universities outside the area, she helped me apply for official excused absences.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during the university application process?: The biggest challenge—and the most unexpected setback—I faced during the application process was that I was unable to register for the mathematics section of the June EJU. For science-track students, mathematics is generally a key factor in gaining admission to top universities. I immediately met with my teacher to revise my application strategy. I also applied to Waseda University using my previous year's EJU scores, as my original plan was to secure an early acceptance from Waseda and then focus on the national university entrance exams. To be honest, I was extremely anxious at the time. Fortunately, everything turned out well in the end, and I was accepted by every university I applied to.
What advice would you give to students who are planning to study abroad?: Make sure to manage both your time and your application schedule carefully. I applied to seven universities, so I created a detailed schedule covering all of my application and exam dates. By following that plan, I was able to stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Although I'm a P on the MBTI, when it comes to university applications, I'm definitely a J.
What changes have you noticed in yourself through your experience of studying abroad?: The biggest change is that I have become much more independent. I can now solve many problems on my own. Before studying abroad, I tended to rely on my parents whenever something came up, and they would usually figure out a solution for me. However, after coming to Japan, I found myself having to make my own decisions in many situations, from preparing for university entrance exams to handling everyday life.
If you were to describe the past year in three keywords, what would they be?: Luck, Happiness, Hard Work
① Luck: Luck also plays a part in university admissions. I was fortunate enough to receive a perfect score on the EJU. In fact, I had answered one question wrong, but thanks to the EJU's score-equating system, that question was excluded from scoring.
② Happiness: Having good friends is a source of happiness. Over the past year, I was able to maintain a healthy balance between studying and enjoying my life.
③ Hard Work: I worked incredibly hard throughout the year. Later, when I was preparing for the University of Tokyo entrance exam, I wanted to give up many times. However, thanks to the encouragement of my teachers and friends, I persevered and made it through to the end.

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