Effort and Perseverance, Embracing a Brighter Future: Li’s Journey of Studying in Japan — Accepted to Saitama University’s Graduate School

Hello everyone, I am Li Jiawen, from Shandong Province. I came to Wayo Japanese Language School in September last year, and after a year of hard work, I was successfully admitted to Saitama University’s graduate school this September. My alma mater is Qilu University of Technology, and my TOEIC score is around 600 points.

Why did I choose to study in Japan? The competition for graduate school in China is quite intense, and I hoped that by studying in Japan, I could have more opportunities to apply to better schools at the same level. That’s why I decided to pursue further studies in Japan.

As for why I chose Wayo Japanese Language School, it was mainly due to a friend’s recommendation. I heard that Wayo has a great location and that the teachers are very responsible and dedicated. After studying here for a year, I found that it really lived up to my expectations. The teachers are indeed very diligent and committed, and I especially want to thank my homeroom teacher, Mr. Ozawa. He not only helped me revise my research plan during the application period but also thoroughly prepared me for the graduate school interview. Without his help, I might not have been able to get into my ideal university.

Regarding the preparation timeline, I had been thinking about applying to graduate school in Japan since I first arrived. Although learning is a continuous process, the concentrated study period was only about two months. So, there’s no need to worry too much about time constraints.

In terms of Japanese language learning, students in the humanities field definitely need to aim for the highest level, N1. But for those in science and engineering fields, even if a high-level Japanese language certification isn’t required, skills in speaking and listening are crucial during graduate school interviews. So, I suggest that while studying your major, you also focus on improving your Japanese speaking and listening skills.

If your self-study ability is not very strong, I highly recommend joining a private tutoring school. Although some people may have doubts about private tutoring, it is very difficult to find an effective study plan on your own. Enrolling in a tutoring school that suits you can greatly improve your study efficiency and results.

Finally, I want to give some advice to younger students: after arriving in Japan, the psychological pressure may be greater than the difficulty of the exams themselves. Faced with the high costs of living, education, and private tutoring, you may feel that not getting into your desired university or graduate school equals failure. However, when you look back after some time, these pressures may seem insignificant. The most important thing is to study hard and not worry too much about failure. Keep moving forward, and the process of striving itself is valuable. I hope everyone at Wayo Japanese Language School can be admitted to the university of their dreams!