Student Interview with Zhang Ruiheng | ISI Japanese Language School

Zhang Ruiheng

From China
JUQ, a college preparatory school within the ISI Group

Graduate School of Economics, University of Tokyo
Graduate School of Business Administration, Hitotsubashi University
Graduate School of Commerce, Keio University
Admitted

Hello! Could you please introduce yourself?: Hello everyone! I'm from Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. I enjoy outdoor activities such as badminton, hiking, and mountain climbing. I began considering studying in Japan while I was in university. In November 2023, I first got in touch with a teacher from JUQ in China and started planning my studies in Japan. I then came to Japan for July 2025 admission and got accepted to the University of Toky, Hitotsubashi Uni versity, and Keio University in September.
When preparing to study abroad, did you also consider studying in Europe or North America? What were the key factors that influenced your choice of universities?: The first reason I chose to study in Japan was that I wanted to experience a culture I had always liked and see what it was like to live in a different environment. Compared with Europe and America, I felt that Japan's way of life was a better fit for my personality. Another reason was that studying in Japan is relatively cost-effective, so I decided to come here.

When choosing which universities to apply to, I based my decisions primarily on my career goals and grouped them into different tiers. If I was accepted to one of my safer-choice universities, I planned to look for a job in Japan after graduation. If I was accepted to a more competitive university, I felt I would have the option of either returning to my home country or pursuing a career in Japan.

I chose to study Business Administration because it was closely related to my undergraduate major. I also realized after completing an internship that I was more interested in management than in finance, which I had studied during my undergraduate years. So in a way, it was a transition into a different field of study.
Receiving admission offers from these three universities just three months after arriving in Japan is an achievement that most people would never imagine. For the benefit of other students, could you walk us through your exam preparation schedule in detail?: While I was attending a TOEFL language school in China, one of my instructors introduced me to JUQ, a Japanese preparatory school.
November 2023: Consulted with a JUQ instructor and began planning my study abroad in Japan
July 2024: Passed the JLPT N1 and achieved my target score on the TOE리
September 2024: Began studying specialized subjects in Business Administration through online courses
June 2025: Arrived in Japan and began taking classes in person.
August 2025: Took the graduate school entrance exams.
September 2025: Received admission offers
Graduate school applications in Japan require Japanese and English language skills, as well as a research proposal. Could you tell us how you prepared for each of them in detail?: Japanese: I had always been interested in learning languages, so I began studying Japanese during my summer vacation in 2022. I scored 147 on the JLPT N1 in July 2023. I scored 147 on the JLPT N1 in July 2023.

English: I had studied for the TOEFL for a while when I was in my second year of high school. After learning that English test scores were required for graduate school admissions in Japan, I spent two months preparing at home during the summer of 2024 and earned a score of 104 at the end of August.

Research Proposal: In November 2023, as I planned my study abroad with an instructor at preparatory school, I also established the general direction of my research and began reading relevant academic literature. In February 2024, I completed the first draft of my research proposal in English, which was approximately 2,500 words. By July 2024, I had completed a draft of the Japanese version, consisting of around 3,000 words. From September 2024, I began taking specialized courses. By June 2025, I finalized my research proposals by refining their length and content based what I had learned in my coursework and the specific requirements of each university, preparing a tailored research proposal for each school. From my own experience, I would say that it is never too early to start preparing your research proposal. You do not need to have a strong background in your field in Japanese from the beginning. As the core concepts are the same, reading a wide range of relevant literature is very helpful.

Contacting Professors: Among the universities I applied to, Keio University was the only one that required applicants to contact a professor in advance. The contact information for each professor is listed on the graduate school’s official website. The professor I contacted as my first choice replied that they would not be accepting new students that year. The second professor explained that my research topic fell outside their area of expertise. It was only after reaching out to a third professor that I was finally able to secure a supervisor. As my experience shows, things do not always go as planned, and the process can take around two weeks before and after. Therefore, if the application guidelines require you to contact a professor in advance, it is best to send your email as early as possible.

Written Examination: I began studying specialized subjects in September 2024, and had exactly one year to prepare for the written examination held at the end of August 2025. I spent the first ten months learning all the required subject knowledge, and the final two months solving past examination questions.

Interview: After completing the written examination for my first-choice university, I began writing interview scripts. Based on the experiences of former students compiled by my preparatory school, I prepared interview scripts tailored to each university's interview style. In total, I spent about ten days preparing.
Could you tell us in detail what types of questions were asked in the entrance examinations at each university?: 1. Yokohama National University: The written examination at this university tended to be relatively challenging and often tested detailed knowledge. This year's exam included questions on international business management, requiring a broad understanding of the subject. There were two interviewers, and the interview began with a self-introduction, followed by questions about my undergraduate thesis, my reasons for changing my field of study, and why I had chosen my prospective supervisor. After the written examination, I wasn't very confident about my answers. Although I felt I performed well in the interview, I was ultimately not admitted.

2. Hitotsubashi University: The written examination featured a six-page Japanese text on statistical error, along with four questions based on the passage. Personally, I felt that the exam focused more on the ability to analyze and interpret the text than on the depth of specialized knowledge. Since I was applying to an MBA program, the interview was quite different from those for graduate programs, and the questions were much more specialized. The two interviewers asked a number of detailed questions about the two internship experiences I had discussed from my undergraduate years, placing a strong emphasis on my practical skills.

3. Keio University: The written examination consisted of two English articles—one on economics and the other on corporate social responsibility (CSR)—requiring quick and accurate English reading comprehension. Compared with Yokohama National University, where the interview covered a broad range of topics, Keio University focused primarily on the finer details of my research proposal. One question I still remember was when a professor asked which scholar had first proposed a certain concept. If you don't know the answer to a question, it's much better to be honest with the professor than to mumble or pretend you know.

4. The University of Tokyo: The written exam consisted of a text analysis section based on a passage containing both English and Japanese, as well as four concise questions on international business and statistics. Since the analytical questions were closely connected to one another, I recommend reading both the passage and all of the questions first before answering. Doing so will help you better understand what the examiners are really looking for. The interview was conducted by a panel of four interviewers and was based on my research proposal. To my surprise, many of the questions focused on fundamental concepts and practical issues, such as how I would ensure the validity of my data collection.
What was the biggest challenge you faced while preparing for the entrance exams?: The first challenge was the lack of positive feedback while preparing for liberal arts entrance exams. Unlike high school or university exams, where you take frequent tests and receive clear scores, liberal arts entrance exams usually provide only relatively vague model answers. Even when my answers differed considerably from the model answers, I often felt that my own reasoning was still valid. To deal with this, I found two approaches to be effective. The first was to ask my prep school instructors for feedback. The instructors were able to objectively point out the problems in my answers. If they found flaws in my reasoning, I learned not to cling to my own views but to accept their feedback. The second approach was to avoid getting caught up in individual questions, focus on understanding the underlying ideas and thought processes behind them, and organize those ideas into my own mind maps. In other words, the key is to understand the core concepts and how they are connected to one another. In the actual written exam, even if your thoughts are not perfectly organized, as long as they are relevant to the question and remain within the scope of the discipline, the professors will evaluate your answers objectively. Ultimately, the most important thing is to trust your own reasoning throughout the exam and continue building your knowledge step by step.
The second challenge was the loneliness that came with studying alone. Studying and reviewing requires an environment free from distractions, which means you inevitably spend a great deal of time by yourself. For that reason, I recommend finding hobbies outside of studying. I go to the gym every day, and even the smallest improvements give me a sense of accomplishment. I also call my close friends back home and catch up on each other's lives.

The third challenge was dealing with pressure from other people. As the saying goes, "Hell is other people." To be more specific, many of my classmates had already received admission offers from universities in Europe or the United States as early as March. Even if everything went well with my summer entrance exams, I still had to wait until August or September for the results, which inevitably created a sense of pressure. To be more specific, many of my classmates had already received admission offers from universities in Europe or the United States as early as March. Even if everything went well with my summer entrance exams, I still had to wait until August or September for the results, which inevitably created a sense of pressure. I believe this is a part of the growth process that everyone has to go through. It takes a certain amount of life experience to truly realize that we live our lives for ourselves. If you can come to terms with yourself without going through this kind of struggle, then I think that's something to be grateful for. If you do find yourself struggling with these feelings, the only solution is to honestly confront yourself and ask what you truly want. In that sense, the loneliness of studying abroad can also become an opportunity to engage in a meaningful dialogue with yourself.
Some people say, "Students with a strong academic background like yours don't need to attend a prep school at all." What do you think about that?: I still believe that attending a prep school is worthwhile. Personally, my experience at prep school was both enjoyable and relaxed.

First, regarding the curriculum, I enrolled in the one-on-one course, and what I appreciated most was Professor Chen's teaching style of respecting students' independence and engaging with them as equals through discussion. For example, when I worked on past exam questions, he would say, "Finish writing your answers to at least ten questions first, then schedule another lesson. We'll go through them together and see whether there are any issues with the knowledge you've applied or the way you've approached the questions." Also, for example, when I was feeling overwhelmed and couldn't study as effectively, I could discuss it with my instructor and reduce my lessons to once a week while extending the length of each session. We would then review all the questions I had worked on that week together. The lesson schedule and content could be adjusted flexibly to match my learning progress and physical condition. As I mentioned earlier, there is no single "correct" answer in liberal arts subjects. Even if my approach differed from the model answer, as long as my reasoning was logical, Professor Chen would objectively point out any weaknesses while still acknowledging my own way of thinking. For that reason, I believe Professor Chen's teaching style is an excellent choice for students who value independent learning and prefer two-way communication and discussion over one-sided instruction.

Next, regarding the learning environment, the prep school has many private study rooms, and the facilities are clean and modern. I particularly liked this quiet and modern study environment because it allowed me to concentrate fully on my studies.
Looking back on your journey to admission, what would you say are the three key words that best describe your entrance exam?: 1. Perseverance: Never give up on your efforts. If you keep going with perseverance, your hard work will eventually pay off.

2. Patience: It's about staying calm and trusting the process. Focus on doing what you can, instead of worrying about whether it's your time to wait or to make your move. What's meant to come will come.

3. Luck: Luck is always a part of the entrance exam process. I'm truly grateful to have met so many kind and warm-hearted teachers and classmates along the way.

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