Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: Hello, Mr. Lin Wenlai, can you briefly introduce your alma mater Jiamusi University? This school sounds strange.
Lin Wenlai: OK. Jiamusi University is located in Jiamusi City, Heilongjiang Province, China. It can be said that it is the northernmost university in China with beautiful scenery.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: The northernmost? Is it clear between day and night? I heard that Mohe, the northernmost river in China, can see things clearly at midnight.
Lin Wenlai: Hehe, this statement is a bit exaggerated. Jiamusi is the same as other places in China. The city is outside the Arctic Circle, so day and night are very distinct.
Japanese New Overseas Chinese News: So you grew up in Zhejiang, south of China. Why did you go to the northernmost university in China?
Lin Wenlai: The main reason is that when I entered the university, I didn't fill in the volunteer form very well. In addition, I also consider the tradition of learning Japanese in Northeast China. And at that time, one of my classmates was admitted to Jiamusi University, thinking that a fellow classmate would not be too lonely even if he was far from home.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: What do you think of this university after four years of university?
Lin Wenlai: If I were asked, I would say it is a university with a "northeast flavor".
New Overseas Chinese News of Japan: So, when did you come up with the idea of studying in Japan?
Lin Wenlai: In my sophomore year, my classmates and I participated in a Japanese speech contest organized by a Japanese exchange group and won the prize. We took this opportunity to go to Japan for 8 days and went to Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. I have a good impression on Japan, so I have the idea of studying in Japan. But in my senior year, I got a job in a company that I thought was very good at that time, so I gave up the idea of studying abroad and went to work in Shanghai. But after working for more than half a year, I began to feel that this job was not as ideal as I expected. I think we should learn more, and the idea of studying abroad revived, so I began to prepare for studying abroad.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: Please tell us how you went through the formalities of studying abroad.
Lin Wenlai: OK. There are many intermediaries in Shanghai, and I have traveled almost everywhere. Because I am a Japanese major, everyone thinks that I have no problem studying abroad like this. Some intermediaries also recommend universities, but the fees are high. After investigation, I think I can also apply for graduate students, so I want to apply for it myself first. Since February, I have been browsing the web pages of Japanese universities on the Internet and getting in touch with professors who are interested in their major.
I wrote many letters, and some professors answered them. In May, I focused my attention on an economic history professor at Kyoto University. Because many professors reply simply that they have something to deal with. Every time the professor wrote back, he was very specific and gave me a lot of advice. I think it would help me a lot if I could follow the professor, and the signboard of Kyoto University attracted me, so I finally chose this professor and applied for the postgraduate entrance examination of Kyoto University in 10.
"New Overseas Chinese News of Japan": So, did you encounter any difficulties in the process of applying for graduate students, including your own experience of studying abroad? After all, you applied for studying abroad on your own.
Lin Wenlai: Not when it's thrilling, but there are still some minor difficulties. At first, the professor agreed to accept me as a guarantor in Japan after I went to graduate school. This guarantor has no actual guarantee meaning, just a contact in Japan. But I didn't know anyone in Japan at that time, so I looked online to see if anyone would be my identity guarantor. Fortunately, one of my predecessors agreed to be my contact in Japan after hearing about my difficulties.
After completing the postgraduate admission procedures, the next step is to face the problem of finding a house. It is difficult for foreigners to rent a house in Japan, not to mention that I am not in Japan. The professor also has experience in studying abroad, knows the difficulties of international students, and recommended many houses to me. However, these houses are either too far away or too expensive, so I hesitated. I thought about it and went back to find that the house had decided to leave. The professor also helped me to apply for the student club of Kyoto University, but it is difficult for even regular students of Kyoto University to apply, let alone informal students like me. When I went to Japan a month ago, my accommodation problem had not been solved.
However, I am very lucky. A senior student at Kyoto University heard about my difficulties and contacted his landlord for me. The landlord is Japanese, and several apartments are rented to international students. After several contacts, I feel that the landlord is very kind, and I have solved my housing problem before I can book his house, and I have lived there until now.
The monthly rent of this house is 30,000 yen, which is about 17 square meter. There is no need to pay a gift deposit for one room and one living room. Originally, I needed a guarantor, but since I just arrived in Japan, it is impossible to have a guarantor, so I simply don't need it.
"New Overseas Chinese News of Japan": This condition is very good. It seems that you are really lucky to meet people all the time.
Lin Wenlai: I think so, too, but pies don't fall from the sky. I have a very positive attitude and don't rely on the intermediary, whether I apply for graduate students or find a house by myself. I think this is also a gift from heaven.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: How did you feel when you first arrived in Japan? Is that what you think?
Lin Wenlai: Because I have been to Japan a few years ago, I also have an impression of Kyoto, but there is still a little contrast. Because I spent a year in a metropolis like Shanghai, compared with it, Kyoto is a very quiet and leisurely place. At first, I even thought Kyoto was more like the countryside, and some of them were just Buddhist temples. But after living for a long time, I still think Kyoto is very suitable for life.
"New Overseas Chinese in Japan": After I arrive in Japan, I will start taking classes when I am a graduate student. How do graduate students attend classes?
Lin Wenlai: In addition to the seminars taught by professors, graduate students can also give lectures to undergraduates. But because they are not ordinary students, there is no requirement for credit units, and everything depends on consciousness. I chose business and economic history related to my major, and some courses that interested me. I chose English and Japanese at first, but later I found that the progress of the class was very slow, so I just learned it myself.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: Is there any shortcut to re-enter the graduate school? Many people say that going to college after becoming a graduate student is just a formality.
Lin Wenlai: This is a misunderstanding. I don't know about other schools, but Peking University is definitely not like this. The Economic Research Department of Peking University has no interview, and whether it can pass or not can only be decided by written examination. Grading is graded by several teachers in groups, and no one can guarantee that your professor will correct your paper in time. When I didn't go to Japan, I thought graduate students would have an advantage in entering the university, but the first time I met the professor, he told me that he couldn't help me and I had to work hard on my own. This once gave me the idea of changing my major.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: Want to change majors? Don't you like your chosen teacher major very much?
Lin Wenlai: I dare not say nothing. Economic history sounds a bit boring. But more importantly, the Economics Research Department of Peking University has only one exam every year. At the beginning of September, I just came to Japan after taking the exam. In other words, if I don't pass the exam, I have to wait another year. It's too long for me, and Peking University can take the business test four times a year, so I wonder if I can take the business test first? Anyway, let's go to college first, but in the end, I haven't changed, because I don't think I can be so half-hearted. After all, I came to Japan because this teacher decided to accept me. In addition, I read a lot of professional books after choosing economic history, and began to be interested in this major. I also study hard and am sure that I can pass the exam.
"Japan's New Overseas Chinese News": Have you considered what to do if you fail in the exam?
Lin Wenlai: Yes. I feel that I still have a long way to go. Even if I can't get into economic research, I can still get into business and MBA, so I put down my baggage and prepare for the exam.
Japanese New Overseas Chinese News: Then please tell us about your preparation process.
Lin Wenlai: Just like the general exam, first improve the ability of professional knowledge and chew professional books. Then collect all kinds of information and do a set of past questions. I didn't have a job during the months of preparing for the exam. Every day except eating and sleeping is reading and studying.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: That's very hard. When is the qualified list?
Lin Wenlai: On September 15, I attended a seminar in Kochi, and my classmates called me to inform me that I was qualified. At that time, I was also very happy and felt that my efforts for such a long time were not in vain.
"Japan's New Overseas Chinese News": Congratulations, how many people passed the exam and how many passed?
Lin Wenlai: About 150 people took the exam and 40 people passed it. Over the years, the proportion is similar, about one third.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: I want to ask some questions about life. Just now you mentioned that there was no part-time job when preparing for the college entrance examination. So, do you usually work?
Lin Wenlai: Hmm. I found a job one month after I came to Japan, ordering food in an Italian restaurant.
Japanese New Overseas Chinese News: How did you find this job?
Lin Wenlai: On June+10, 5438, the second month I came to Japan, I saw a job advertisement in this restaurant near my school. I didn't dare to go to the store and ask directly, so I made a phone call and got a job in Japan.
"Japan's New Overseas Chinese News": If you usually take this job, how much can you earn a month?
Lin Wenlai: 800 yen an hour, only one day a week, a little more than one month 10000 yen.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: That's rare. It's just a feeling of work.
Lin Wenlai: At that time, because I just came to Japan, I mainly studied, so I didn't have much work. Now that I have been admitted to the university, I have increased my working hours. It is estimated that you can earn about 50 thousand yen this month. There may be more in the future.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: That's almost enough for one month's living expenses. You have been in Japan for a year. Where have you been to play in Japan?
Lin Wenlai: If you want to travel, you haven't really traveled yet. Just look around Osaka and Kyoto and you will be free next month. I want to go to Fukuoka.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: Don't you want to go to Tokyo?
Lin Wenlai: I went to Tokyo when I was a college student in China, and I felt similar to Shanghai, so I didn't expect much. However, Disney Tokyo is an exception, and you must go to play when you have the opportunity.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: Are you satisfied with your present study abroad?
Lin Wenlai: Compared with the pursuit when I decided to resign and study abroad at that time, there is still a little gap. It is also very hard to prepare for the college exam, but I still like the life I choose, and I am satisfied from this point.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: Do you have any plans to graduate from college in the future?
Lin Wenlai: There is no clear plan at present. First of all, I think I will live in Japan for a while, maybe I will continue to study for a doctorate, maybe I will work in an enterprise, maybe I will meet someone I like and get married. More realistic possibility, I think it is more likely to work in Japan.
"New Overseas Chinese News of Japan": My question is basically over. Do you have anything else to say?
Lin Wenlai: I hope all international students coming to Japan can realize their dreams, including myself. And of course, you.
Japan's New Overseas Chinese News: Hehe, I am no longer an international student, but thank you for your blessings and wish you a smooth sailing.
Notes of the reporter of Japan's New Overseas Chinese News
Direct application for graduate students in domestic public universities is a very popular project. In the brainwashing rhetoric of the intermediary, graduate students seem to be a shortcut to go directly to college. You don't need Japanese and English skills, nor do you need professional knowledge. As long as you hand it over to the intermediary for tens of thousands of RMB, you can buy the entrance key to the first-class universities in Japan.
In fact, as long as a little online investigation, you can find that such a good thing is impossible. An undergraduate who has no language ability will only wait for his study abroad after he arrives in Japan. Once the professor finds out that this student is not the graduate student he applied for, he will treat him coldly and be labeled as dishonest. It will be even more difficult to enter the university in the future, which will also have a bad influence on China students' application for graduate students in the future. After all, nobody likes the feeling of being cheated.
So is it difficult to apply for it yourself? Lin Wenlai's example gives the best answer. As long as you have good language skills and a positive attitude, it is not difficult to find a professor who accepts you. However, graduate students don't mean you can go to college. Graduate students were originally a special system set up by Japanese universities for the convenience of researchers, which has nothing to do with the original admission system. It is really misleading to say that graduate students are the only way to enter a big college. As long as you study in graduate school, you can easily enter a big college.
Every foreign student wants to realize his dream, and realizing his dream is based on hard work. If you want to apply for graduate students, please try to improve your language ability. Good language skills, you can apply for graduate students yourself. If you don't have good language skills, even if you let others apply for you successfully, you will suffer in the end.