Student Voices: Graduate Programs

Graduate School of Social Sciences
Graduate Program in Economics

I studied at the Nanzan University Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) for one year in 2019. During that time, I was able to lead the kind of student life that would not really have been possible in my own country, and so, thinking that I had more opportunities in Japan to create a brighter future for myself than is the case in my own country, I decided to go on to pursue postgraduate studies at Nanzan University.

I would like to work in the Japanese recruitment industry in future and, to that end, as part of my master's studies, I am now carrying out empirical research on foreign labor working in Japanese companies. To be specific, I am using a software package called Stata to analyze data on foreigners working in Japan and the companies that employ those workers.

For me the most appealing thing about Nanzan University is its multicultural environment. I really like that I have so many opportunities to grow by interacting with classmates of different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds in terms of experience. I feel myself growing because every day, I experience new perspectives and stimuli. And that isn't just in classes – we are able to become familiar with the culture of a range of countries through the Japan Plaza and Stella, which were set up to facilitate international exchange. I love these places. We can hang out there and play games when we don't have classes, or on days when we don't have classes, we can meet other foreign students there and just relax with them.

Before I came to Japan, I was a little worried about the process of looking for a job here, but after I arrived, I found out that at Nanzan University there is a Career Support Program for foreign students and that the Career Support Office offers a service in which students can seek advice if they feel uneasy or are worried about any aspect of the job-hunting process. I am really happy that I made the decision to return to Nanzan University.

When considering a study-abroad experience in Japan, I imagine that there might be lots of things that might make you feel uneasy or worried the prospect of living in Japan. That will be particularly true if you have never lived by yourself. But at Nanzan University the Center for International Affairs provides all sorts of support to foreign students to help them get used to university life in Japan. Being able to easily talk to someone about things that come up in everyday life that make us feel uneasy or troubled makes a big difference in terms of leading a worry-free life as a foreign student. I never hesitate to consult the staff at the Center for International Affairs, even over relatively small things. They are always quick to offer support and that helps me lead a worry-free life as a foreign student.

If you are considering embarking on a study-abroad experience in Japan, before you come, I recommend that you learn a little about Japanese culture and prepare so you can interact using some Japanese. There are many Japanese students in the classes, so if you know something about Japanese culture and can speak a little Japanese you will find it easier to interact with your classmates, make friends and lead an enjoyable life as a student.