Student Voices (Ms. Tu Weixiao)

Ms. Tu Weixiao　※Using “Pre-arrival-Admission”

There is now extensive debate over how use of cosmetics containing ingredients prone to cause inflammation can negatively impact the condition of our skin and general health. In order to resolve this issue, I was determined to engage in research aimed at synthesizing molecules high in safety, that will not damage the body or skin when applied as cosmetic ingredients.
With chemistry majors having been ranked as key fields of expertise in Japan over the years, I figured that studying at a Japanese university would enable me to attain numerous outstanding skills. More specifically, my goal was to apply chemistry to development of cosmetics outstanding in safety and effective in supporting female beauty. Such aspirations led to my decision to study in Japan.

By region, I personally prefer the Kansai region than the Kanto district. My impression is that people in Kansai are more direct and open in character, with that atmosphere resembling my own native area. Based on that, and my desire to promptly adapt to a new environment, I focused on Kansai region universities as my personal schools of preference.
Among the pamphlets received from Japanese universities, the introduction for Kwansei Gakuin University was particularly attractive. I instantly fell in love with the lovely campus, and accessed the school’s website to gather further information on the atmosphere, professors, seminars and laboratories. Based on those findings, I selected the faculty department specializing in the field in which I am most interested.

As a science student, I took the EJU tests in the Japanese as a Foreign Language, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics Course 2. An area differing from the College Entrance Examination Center testing in China is the absence of a biology test. I might mention that the universities I was most interested in attending did not include biology among their required subjects. During my high school level studies of science in China, I found biology to be the most challenging subject. As a result, the absence of biology on the EJU was a major advantage for me personally.
For that matter, the EJU Chemistry and Physics syllabus was nearly the same contents as my studies in high school in China. As a result, I began full-fledged independent self-studies for those tests from about one year before the EJU scheduled date.
In terms of my science studies, I got a firm grasp of the contents of the textbooks widely used by Japanese examinees. In my preparations, therefore, I was able to correctly answer all of the questions for the editions of the test from 2010 to the most recent versions.
Because the calculus sections of the EJU Mathematics Course 2 covered areas that I did not study in high school, I used YouTube of classes teaching such subject material. After that, I practiced by responding to questions that appeared on those tests in the past.

The university curriculum has been totally different from high school. First of all, there are no fixed classes, enabling students to choose the subjects they want to study. Along with that, we also rotate around to different classrooms for each course. Once weekly inorganic and organic chemistry experiments are activities that I never performed in high school. As a result, each session is a fresh and enjoyable experience. When studying specific themes and writing reports, I personally search out reference materials in the library, on the Internet and other sources. I carefully study the data found in this way, then draw up a plan to address my ideas .
Since this was the first time I have ever studied abroad, I was nervous and worried about how things would go. For example, I figured that it would require considerable time to become accustomed to life in Japan. In reality, however, I was able to make Japanese friends, with two of them particularly helpful when I encounter difficulties. They stay by my side at all times, and thanks to them I am truly enjoying life here.
I have also learned how the academic affairs at Kwansei Gakuin University are divided into detailed categories, with a wide range of assistance available for international students in both our studies and everyday life. Whenever something comes up, the proper office supported me with detailed responses. This is a great help, and I am very grateful for such support.

With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, strict immigration restrictions went into force in Japan. To avoid being impacted by that development, I took the EJU in my own country, and then applied for admission to a university in Japan. This system was the most convenient and appropriate method available. If choosing to sit for the EJU in Japan, it would have been necessary to study at a Japanese language school in Japan for one to two years, and pay the tuition costs for such learning.
Using the pre-arrival admission system, I was able to save certain amount of money. What’s more, with a large number of universities adopting the Pre-arrival Admission method, it is a great advantage for students beginning preparations for the EJU well in advance in their own countries. In my case, it was possible to directly enroll in a Japanese university after graduating from high school without attending a Japanese language school.

First, I recommend clarifying the directions of your own interests and desires, and then apply to universities on that basis. Then, gather admissions information for each school, check if they are truly suited to your needs.
Next, work hard to find schools that appear to match your plans, do everything possible to be accepted there. As I noted above, by using the Pre-arrival Admission system, you can save lot of time and cost for the examinations.
All in all, begin early and intensively with your preparation for your overseas study.