Waseda University
Accepted into the Department of Education, School of Education
Why did you choose to study in Japan at the time, and how did you decide on this particular program at Chiba University?
I chose to study in Japan because it is one of the few developed countries in Asia. I believed that by learning advanced ideas here and drawing on Japan’s experience, I could address the social issues in education that I hope to solve.
Another personal reason was that I have always enjoyed anime, so I chose to study abroad in Japan.
Why did you choose ISI?
I attended an international school in China that offered a Japan-focused program and partnered with ISI on related projects. Classes were conducted bilingually in Chinese and Japanese, and I studied Japanese throughout all three years of high school.
I wanted to attend a language school where the proportion of Chinese students was not too high and where I could interact with students from other countries. I thought that kind of environment would help me improve my Japanese even further. At ISI, not only are the teachers Japanese, but the students also come from all over the world, and everyone is required to speak Japanese on campus. I was drawn to this language environment and ultimately chose ISI.
Is there a particularly memorable experience from your time at language school?
I am currently enrolled in ISI’s advanced preparatory class. The teachers help us prepare speeches, and we give a short speech every month. This has been extremely helpful in improving my conversational skills for future interviews. At the very least, I no longer get so nervous that I freeze up like I used to. This has been the greatest help for me.
Could you tell us about the university and program you were accepted into?
I was accepted into the Education Studies Program in the Department of Education at Waseda University’s School of Education. I had been interested in teachers since I was in China. I often had opportunities to interact closely with them, and there were many teachers I admired, which led me to develop a strong interest in educational research. Another reason I decided to study education was that, as a student, I encountered many problems while studying with my peers and wanted to solve those problems and help them.
What was the greatest challenge you overcame while preparing for the entrance exam?
For me, there were two particularly difficult aspects of the university entrance exam.
The first was gathering information and writing my statement of purpose. I was not very good at finding information on official websites, and it was extremely difficult to write something that would capture a professor’s interest. With my teacher’s help, I learned how to write a statement of purpose and was ultimately able to pass the document screening.
The other challenge was that, after coming to Japan, teachers were not always watching over me as they had in China. At language school and cram school, no one monitored me as strictly as they did back home, which was also a major test of my self-discipline. Still, I managed to keep myself on track, resist temptation, and gain admission to my dream university. (Laughs)
What are your plans after graduating from university?
At present, I plan to pursue a master’s degree and continue researching issues related to education. I believe this research will be highly useful when I pursue a career in an education related field in the future.
Do you have any advice for future international students?
In terms of daily life, I recommend finding a place to live close to your school or cram school. I am not good at waking up early, and the morning trains are very crowded.
When it comes to learning Japanese, the most important thing is to communicate actively. Whenever you have the chance, try talking to teachers, store employees, or Japanese people you meet on the street. Through communication, you can improve both your speaking and listening skills at the same time. Actually using the language is more important than practicing on paper or memorizing vocabulary.
What do you think has changed the most about you since studying abroad?
My social circle has grown much wider. When I was living in China, I was a relatively withdrawn child and did not have a particularly cheerful personality. However, since coming here, I have made friends and started traveling with them. I recently went to Nagoya, and last week I visited Yamanashi and saw Mount Fuji. Those trips made me realize how beautiful the Japanese countryside is as well. I also study for university entrance exams with my friends. I have found joy in that process, and little by little, I have become a more cheerful person.
