My reason for applying to Nagoya University is, first and foremost, because I want to study and continue to live in Japan after graduation. When I tried to find universities that offer programs in English, I found Nagoya University to be the one with the most diverse selection of programs. I searched for programs in English because at that time, I could not speak Japanese at all (I learned Japanese after I knew I was going to Japan). Fortunately, I received a scholarship here, so I went to Japan, and here I am, a 4th year, and almost graduating.
As I mentioned before, there are very few programs that offer programs taught fully in English. I think I saw some other English-taught programs from other universities in Japan, but I think they do not offer pure chemistry as a major. The closest they get is material science, but I am more interested in chemistry. At that time, I did not know that I would be doing research in quantum chemistry, but I did not want to close my opportunities towards other fields of chemistry. For example, if after entering university, I found out I liked organic chemistry and would like to go research in one such laboratory, I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I enrolled in the material sciences program. Furthermore, Nagoya, with its position close to the center of Japan, is within reasonable distance of both Tokyo and Osaka. This is the cherry on top, as the location would be convenient for my travels.
I currently belong to the Quantum Chemistry Laboratory, led by Professor Yanai Takeshi. This laboratory’s main research involves quantum chemical calculations, where one uses computers to simulate molecules and chemical reactions inside a computer. I joined that laboratory because I like mathematics and physics – perhaps more than chemistry, so I chose to join the most mathematically-intensive – or I would say, the lab that deals the most with physics out of all the laboratories in the chemistry department.
My research deals with simulating chemical reactions inside a computer. I think the most interesting part is when I find new pathways to explain why reactions occur. Our current analysis involves various exotic reactions whose pathways are not well-understood, and our goal is to elucidate the mechanism of such reactions with the power of simulation in computers.
The first advice that I have is to interact with your professors. They’re not scary, they don’t bite, they have more wisdom due to their age, and they are always more than happy to help you when you have any trouble or if you want to discuss anything with them.
The second one is to not “only study” when you come to Japan. While you are coming to Japan to study in an university, it may be good to make time to do some part-time jobs (or in Japanese, アルバイト) because that will help you improve your Japanese language ability and make some connections with people outside of university. Even though Japanese language skills are not necessary in the framework of the G30 program, because the lectures are all completely in English, having high (or even conversational) level of Japanese will be very helpful, as it will make your daily life easier and more enriching than if you can’t speak Japanese. Furthermore, if you can’t speak Japanese, you can’t really talk with your lab members or your Japanese professors. Of course, they can speak English, but by being able to speak Japanese, you can communicate with and understand them better.
One last thing is to not close the door on collaborative research (when you are in a laboratory). Collaborative research introduces a lot more people into the process and it allows you access to their insight and knowledge on various topics.