Student Interview with Wang Yishi | ISI Japanese Language School

Wang Yishi

From China
Tokyo-Shinjuku Campus

The University of Tokyo, Natural Sciences II
Kyoto University, Faculty of Engineering
Waseda University, School of Advanced Science and Engineering
University of Tsukuba, School of Science and Engineering
Keio University, Faculty of Science and Technology
Sophia University, Faculty of Science and Technology
Admitted

Wang-san, please briefly introduce yourself to everyone.: Hello everyone. I am from Shanghai, China, and my personality is relatively cheerful. I usually like playing badminton.
I started studying EJU Math, Science, and Chemistry in July 2024, and I have already been studying Japanese for two years. I scored 680 points on the EJU in November 2024 and received a JASSO scholarship.
I came to Japan in March 2025, enrolled in ISI Japanese Language School to focus on EJU exam preparation, and after scoring 701 points on the June EJU, I passed the exams for Waseda University and Sophia University.
I improved my score to 734 points on the November EJU, and subsequently passed the exams for the University of Tsukuba, Keio University, Kyoto University, and the University of Tokyo.
How did you know about ISI? Also, why did you choose this school?: At the time, I actually hesitated for a while between ISI and other language schools, but the reason I ultimately chose ISI was that there are many international students here with a highly diverse environment overall. In such an atmosphere, instead of unconsciously relying on Chinese, my opportunities to communicate in Japanese increased, which greatly helped improve my language skills.

In addition, the ISI Shinjuku campus had just been newly established, and I got a very good impression of the overall educational environment. Furthermore, I hear that in 2026, ISI will establish a "Prime campus" in Shinjuku, where land values are high. Not only is the location excellent, but transportation access is also very convenient, and it will provide students with high-quality educational facilities and a learning environment.
What were your reasons for studying in Japan and for choosing this major?: The main reason I came to Japan is that I felt the university entrance exam format in China didn't really suit me. For example, a high level of reading comprehension is required for the national language, which is exactly my weak area. Also, you must choose three science subjects, but my grades in biology were not very good. Compared to that, the exam for international students in Japan has fewer subjects, and the overall difficulty suited me, which is why I chose to come to Japan. I wanted to study and live with a more relaxed mindset in an environment with relatively less pressure.

On the other hand, the fact that Japan is at a top global level in the field of chemistry, which I am interested in, is also one of the important reasons I chose Japan. Regarding universities, the University of Tokyo belongs to the top-tier of excellent universities, with high value rankings both in China and Japan.

For the major, chemistry is what I am most interested in among the sciences. Furthermore, my academic advisor is also from applied chemistry, and since I can receive a certain level of guidance and support for the direction I want to research in the future, I ultimately chose a chemistry-related major.
Could you tell us about the overall flow of your exam preparation? When did you start preparing, how long did it take, and what kind of efforts did you make?: I started studying Japanese in 2023. For EJU Math and Science, I started preparing in July 2024 and took the exam for the first time in November of the same year. After the exam, I resumed studying English, focused on TOEFL preparation, took it twice in February, and scored 99 points. After that, feeling that significant further improvement in a short period would be difficult, I returned to preparing for the June EJU exam.

I also applied to Waseda University in June. Since the university didn't have a written exam this year, after passing the primary screening, I mainly focused on interview preparation. Because I had some foundation in my Japanese conversation skills, I ultimately passed the interview without any issues and was accepted into Waseda University.

I also applied to Sophia University, but it was also interview-only. Since Sophia University's interview date was September 20th and Waseda University's was September 30th, the Sophia interview served as a "practical training" session before the Waseda interview, helping me deliver a better performance at Waseda.

After that, I obtained 734 points on the November EJU exam. In the later term, I applied to even more universities, such as the chemistry-related major at the University of Tsukuba which has a departmental exam, Keio University which has only a document screening, Kyoto University where I had an interview at the end of January, and the University of Tokyo which requires a short essay and an interview. Overall, preparation for the later term was focused on narrowing down and adjusting to respond to the different selection formats of each university.
What kind of support did you receive from ISI during your exam period?: I am an Advanced III student at ISI. While enrolled at ISI, my homeroom teacher was very responsible and not only revised my statement of purpose multiple times, but also provided many opportunities and occasions to improve my conversational skills.

Also, comprehensive tests covering reading, listening, conversation, composition, and more are conducted every semester at ISI. This not only allows students to systematically acquire common Japanese vocabulary, but it also helped me deeply understand the native Japanese pronunciation and get closer to it. These things were extremely helpful in subsequent interviews and in drafting statements of purpose.
If you were to give a score to your study abroad experience at ISI, how many points would you give?: 100 points!

As a student in the first batch of the ISI Shinjuku Campus, I had always held high expectations for this new 14-story school building. Actually, after the EJU exam in November 2024, I went out of my way to visit the school, but the entrance sign said "Not yet completed," so I had no choice but to turn back (laughs). It was only when I officially enrolled in April of this year that I was able to see the completed campus for the first time.

My first impression was the environment is truly wonderful. The library is spacious, and besides being able to study freely on your own, you can also warm up food in the microwave, which is very convenient for students. The building is stocked enough with materials related to higher education and Japanese language learning, making it highly practical. Also, looking down at the cityscape of Nishi-Shinjuku from the 14th floor, the view is very expansive. After classes, you can walk to Shinjuku Central Park in 5 to 10 minutes. It's open for free, the environment is comfortable, and it's the perfect place to relax.

The school also puts a lot of effort into events. For example, a large-scale Career EXPO was held previously, allowing us to gain information on various universities while still at the language school stage. Also, they took us to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden; walking through nature while being guided by the teachers, learning about plants, and simultaneously learning the corresponding Japanese expressions served as a great "icebreaker" opportunity.

Regarding the teachers, I met many truly wonderful instructors. For example, Mr. Iwabuchi and Ms. Kitaguchi. One is my homeroom teacher, and the other is in charge of conversation classes, but both are very kind and skillfully guided the students to gradually get used to and blend into life in Japan. Also, Mr. Suwa and Ms. Suzuki proactively approach the students and earnestly listen to everyone's thoughts and worries.

Personally, when I arrive at school early, I often chat a bit with the teachers. We talk about the recent progress of my exam studies, how my daily life is going, or even things like whether the elevators are still crowded (laughs). Mr. Suwa in particular often jokes, saying things like, "I've gotten older and can't climb the stairs anymore," creating a very warm and friendly atmosphere. He himself is a senior alumnus from Waseda University's graduate school of humanities, and I can sense the character cultivated at that school from him.

Regarding classes, my personal favorite is the conversation class. The overall atmosphere is very peaceful, and it's a meaningful and relaxing class where not only can you enhance your expressive skills, but you can also listen to other people's perspectives.
You have taken entrance exams for so many universities; could you tell us about an internal university exam that left a strong impression on you?: In the Waseda University interview, there were a total of four professors, one of whom was the chief examiner. At the very beginning of the interview, I was first asked to give a brief self-introduction. Waseda University's exam format was purely oral questioning; there was no written exam.

Regarding specialized questions, they mainly asked about foundational chemistry knowledge, such as the chemical formulas of organic compounds, the structure of SiO₂, and its common uses. I was also asked about what kind of substance carbon dioxide is converted into during the chemical reaction process I wish to research. Furthermore, there was a professor who asked about general reactions related to CO₂ in inorganic chemistry. The overall difficulty was not that high.

After the specialized questions concluded, we moved on to standard questions like my reasons for applying and whether I had any financial concerns, and the overall flow was relatively concise. What was interesting was that right after I answered the first question, a professor complimented me, saying, "Your Japanese is very good." I jokingly replied on the spot, "There are some similarities between the Shanghai dialect and Japanese pronunciation, so perhaps that's why I was able to get used to it relatively quickly."

The University of Tsukuba interview involved three faculty members, and the overall atmosphere was very calm. I was asked about foundational chemistry knowledge, but it centered primarily around lighthearted exchanges, feeling more like a relaxed conversation.

On the other hand, the Kyoto University interview was relatively "large-scale," with a total of eight faculty members lined up in a semicircle asking questions. There wasn't even a desk in front of me, making the overall atmosphere feel a bit pressuring. The main questions were about my past research content, whether I had conducted related experiments during high school, my future plans, whether I would enroll if accepted, and my post-graduation career path. However, the professors were generally approachable and smiled a lot, so the actual atmosphere in the room wasn't bad.

The University of Tokyo's selection process is relatively complex. First is the written exam, where you write two short essays in two and a half hours, with each essay taking about 75 minutes and around 800 characters.

In this year's questions, the first one was about the "fusion of AI and agriculture," requiring an analysis of currently unresolved issues and the proposal of a unique solution. I was able to fully demonstrate my abilities on this task and earned an A grade. The second one was about the causes of olfactory dysfunction due to the novel coronavirus, and why differences occur depending on race or region. This question was more biology-oriented, and I didn't do very well, receiving a C grade. However, since most students taking the Natural Sciences II exam have never studied biology systematically, the overall impact was not that significant.

Since the interview was scheduled a week after submitting the short essays, I spent almost every day that week preparing with mock interviews. Moreover, I was assigned to the very first interview slot (March 1st), and I was quite nervous at the time. However, overall it went smoothly, I was able to answer almost all the specialized questions, and the professors evaluated me saying, "Your Japanese is good, and you write well." Ultimately, I was able to pass successfully.
Looking back on your journey to acceptance, could you give us three keywords for taking exams and explain the reasons for them?: First, I think the most important thing is to clarify "priorities." In the EJU exam, Japanese is 400 points, Math is 200 points, and Physics and Chemistry are 100 points each, meaning Japanese accounts for an overwhelmingly large proportion. However, I see many examinees spending a lot of time on science subjects right before the exam. For example, just because they are good at physics, they focus solely on strengthening it; but if they are already near a perfect score, the room for improvement is only about 10 to 20 points, so the cost-performance is actually not high. In contrast, if your Japanese grades are poor, it is very difficult to raise your overall score. Therefore, it is essential to clarify your focus and prioritize allocating your time to subjects with "high point values and a large margin for improvement."

Second, is to review thoroughly. Solving problems itself is important, but what is even more important is reflecting after solving them. You must clearly grasp where you made a mistake. Is the knowledge not solidified, or did you fall into a trap set by the question writer? Reviewing is highly valuable, especially for past EJU questions, because it is easy to encounter similar question trends and the "same traps" in the actual exam. Only by repeatedly looking back you can truly prevent making the same mistakes next time.

The third is the ability to plan. I personally make very detailed plans every day. For example, I decide the time to go to the language school or the time to buy groceries in bulk at the supermarket, reducing the time spent on chores as much as possible so I can concentrate on studying for exams. At the same time, from a more long-term perspective, you need to start planning before you even come to Japan. You must grasp and make proper arrangements for your target schools, exam formats, and application timings in advance. There is no need to fear "overdoing" preparation; rather, you should fear "not making it in time." Therefore, prior planning is extremely important.
Do you have any advice for juniors who are already in Japan and preparing for exams?: I believe that a language school is not simply a "transit point" before advancing to university. Some people might think it is just a place to get a visa, but in reality, that is not the case at all. As our homeroom teacher constantly emphasizes, the language school itself is continuously improving and developing, actively working to become a more well-made educational institution.

The daily class time is just around 3 hours, but what you learn here is not just for exam preparation; it is for building a foundation for university education. If you don't properly master a lot of basic vocabulary and grammar at the language school stage, there really isn't anyone who will systematically fill in those gaps for you after you enter university. In other words, a language school can be said to be the final stage where you can systematically improve your Japanese proficiency before officially entering a university.

Therefore, I would like to advise all of you who will be enrolling from now on to cherish this period and not to attend classes just for the sake of attendance. The language school itself is actually a very valuable resource, and if you don't utilize it well, it is truly a waste of time.

Furthermore, ISI has resources for many schools, and dedicated teachers provide career guidance. For instance, they will analyze which schools you should take exams for and how to plan your path to higher education. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to try consulting with the teachers in charge. I'm sure they will help you!

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