When I was approaching graduation at university in Korea, I became interested in breeding production and decided that I would like to study Japan's advanced aquaculture technology in particular. I thought that if I came to the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology I would be able to study the subjects that interested me with leading professors in the field so I decided to study abroad.

When I started my research here there were many things that were different from my university in Korea but I was able to learn analysis methods that were not available at my old university and I am having a really great time.

I knew that Japanese culture was quite different from Korea and have been having a hard time since I actually started living here. I am quite shy so it was difficult to get to know Japanese people. And, of course, my Japanese wasn't great so I didn't catch what people were saying to me and I couldn't get people to understand what I was trying to say. However, I think that Japanese culture is great because it places emphasis on order and compromise and not bothering other people.

Marine products are extremely important as part of the solution for future food supply issues. However, catches are getting smaller globally year after year and aquaculture is becoming indispensable. After I graduate, I would like to contribute to the field of aquaculture in Korea using what I have learned at TUMSAT.

My favourite class is Japanese. I really recommend the Japanese language classes at TUMSAT. The most difficult thing is finalizing my own research plan. I want to be a teacher after I graduate.

I was a bit worried about the food before I came to Japan but it is actually really good and I haven't had any problems. I sometimes worry about my health because I am really busy all the time but I am making sure that I get enough sleep. Life in Japan is convenient and fun so don't worry about coming to study here.

I decided to study in Japan because I wanted to study in my specialist field and I also wanted to study Japanese. The Japanese classes are good fun and the teachers are really nice. But I find it difficult when I talk to Japanese people. I want to keep on studying Japanese in the future and when I graduate, I want to go on to the doctoral course.

Before I came to Japan I thought that life would be difficult what with the high prices and the fact that my Japanese wasn't good but I have had a lot of fun since I got here. There are a lot of places to visit in the Tokyo area and it's really great fun going shopping with my friends.

If you are thinking of studying in Japan, I would advise you to work hard on your Japanese. A fun life awaits you here.

I decided to study here because TUMSAT has a long history and because the research environment is so good. The most fun thing is the experiments. I am really happy when I manage to solve a problem. Learning Japanese is difficult, especially conversation but the teachers and the older students in my research lab are good to me. I am hoping to go on to the doctoral course after I graduate.

Before I came here to study, I was a bit worried things like differences in lifestyle between Japan and China but since I arrived, I have found Japanese life to be interesting and every day is a fulfilling experience. I have been to a lot of famous places like Odaiba, Kamakura and Takao-san mountain with my friends and I will always remember the autumn leaves at Takao-san mountain. I sometimes miss my family in China and I feel sad but when I do, I call my parents or talk to my friends.

For people who are going to study in Japan, Japanese language is really important. Make sure you study hard. The research is sometimes difficult but have faith! I'll be working hard, too!

I majored in marine biology at university in China and became very interested in marine science. Japan is an advanced country and the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology is a top-level university in the aquatic products field. I decided to study in Japan to learn about the culture of a foreign county as well as to learn an even higher level of science and technology. I think I would like to go on to study on the doctoral course once I graduate from the Master's course.

Life in Japan is very pleasant. Japanese people are very polite and the streets are very clean. It is a bit of a shame that holidays in Japan are so short as I don't have enough time to go back to China.

Good luck to everyone who is thinking about studying here in Japan.

I heard about the JCK Program when I was thinking about continuing my study of oceanography and thought it was a good opportunity so I decided to study in Japan. TUMSAT has a lot of information and data related to oceanography and, as someone who wants to be an oceanographer in the future, it really interested me. The university also has 6 boats and there are opportunities for on-board training which are very useful. However, not only is it difficult to conduct experiments as they take a really long time, but because TUMSAT is only a specialized university, there are not many opportunities for club or sports activities.

I had no special interest in Japan before coming here but once I arrived, I got interested in Japanese food, culture and the characteristics of the people. Japanese ramen noodles, in particular pork broth noodles, are really good! When Japanese friends go on a trip, they always bring me back a present. I was amazed at the way everyone sticks to the rules and keeps their word. And even though my Japanese is not great, people listen to everything I have to say and try really hard to understand what I mean. Sometimes I am not sure how to handle this kind of consideration but I accept it as a part of Japanese culture.

I would like to say 'where there's a will, there's a way' to those who are thinking about studying at TUMSAT. If there is anything I can do, I am willing to help.

I wanted to broaden my horizons and see more of the world outside China so I decided to study abroad. TUMSAT has a well-established, well-known graduate school. On top of that, TUMSAT is on the cutting-edge of science and technology which is developing at breakneck speed these days and it has many skilled teachers. I thought the university would really help me to bring my latent energy to the fore.

Japanese is difficult and I am still not very good at it so I get very nervous when I am talking to the people in the lab. But I am working hard in my Japanese class because it is good fun studying Japanese with students from other countries. After I graduate, I think I would like to go on to the doctoral course.

Japan was an iconic country for me with its beautiful scenery and rich cultural heritage. The streets are clean and life in general is very convenient. But prices are very high.

I would like to say 'there is no such thing as failure. You can't fail if you are trying. You only fail when you give up,' to students who are going to study abroad. Good luck.

TUMSAT is extremely famous for oceanography and fisheries science and I decided to study here to learn about leading Japanese marine development and environmental conservation technologies. I learn something new every day from a number of excellent teachers. The research and the Japanese language are hard work but learning Japanese is interesting. It's also fun to spend my time off with students from a number of different countries. After I graduate, I am thinking of either working in Japan or going on to the doctoral course.

Life in Japan is really comfortable and Japanese people are really kind. The older students and the Japanese tutors help out with many things not only connected with studying but with life in general so there is nothing to worry about.

I have met a lot of people at TUMSAT and have learned a lot as well. It really is a great university.

Japan is an island country surrounded by the sea and it has been actively conducting marine-related research for a long time. I decided I would like to come to Japan to study advanced marine technology. I thought that the best place to study my specialist subject of marine system engineering would be TUMSAT. Everything is in place in the research lab study environment and the atmosphere is really warm. But my Japanese is really bad so it's really hard interacting with Japanese people. I am studying Japanese really hard but it is quite difficult. I would like to go on to the doctoral course after I graduate.

Japan's economic development is advanced and ocean development technology is also excellent so there are a lot of things to learn. I am thinking of getting a part-time job in my free time. That way I will be able to make some money to cover everyday expenses and have the opportunity to further my understanding of Japanese society.

Japan is well known for its excellence in shipbuilding technology which is my specialist field so that is why I decided to come here to study. The best thing about studying here is that I have become friends with a lot of students from other countries. I have joined the soccer club which is where I met my friends from America, Nigeria and Korea. The most difficult thing is, just as I thought, communication in Japanese. Lots of Japanese people are shy and they don't much like speaking English to foreigners. My Japanese isn't very good yet so I sometimes feel that it's hard work.

You should definitely study Japanese hard if you are going to study in Japan. If you are Chinese, you shouldn't have any trouble with kanji characters but you should focus on reading, writing, listening and speaking.

（※本人作成中）

I studied navigation at university in Korea and decided to study abroad in Japan as it is famous for its excellence in oceanography. It's a shame that there are not many classes on my specialist subject in day to day research and classes but the teachers are really passionate about their subjects and teach them with great care. I am going to join the army once I graduate and go back to Korea but after that, I would like to go on and study for a doctorate.

My impressions of Japan haven't changed much since I have been here but I was surprised that relationship hierarchy is not as strict as I thought it would be. I haven't had any other problems in my everyday life here.

If you are thinking of coming to Japan to study, you should definitely study Japanese really hard before you come!

Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology's research into marine foodstuffs is on a top level globally and as I thought that I would like to study leading Japanese food processing technology and to increase my knowledge of marine foodstuffs, I decided to study in Japan. My teachers are really enthusiastic about their subjects in everyday classes and research activities. However, although I can use English in the study and research of my specialist subject, there are also lectures in Japanese and I find them really difficult because my Japanese isn't up to scratch. Once I graduate, I am going to take the doctoral course and then I will go back to China where I want to contribute to the Chinese foodstuffs industry.

My impressions of Japan haven't changed since I came here. It is a beautiful country. It's fun to come into direct contact with traditional Japanese culture like receiving gifts of money at New Year, playing the traditional Hyakunin Isshu card game of 100 selected poems, seeing the families praying for their children's healthy development during the Shichi-go-san festival (for 3 year old boys and girls, 5 year old boys and 7 year old girls) at Asakusa Temple. But it is difficult to get by here because prices are higher than I imagined they would be. I am working hard at my part-time job. And the frequent earthquakes make me nervous.

I recommend that people who are thinking about studying in Japan study Japanese conversation as much as they can before they come here and that they learn a little about life and culture in Japan.

I came to study in Japan because I wanted to learn from the Japanese about their strict but serious attitude to work. TUMSAT has the latest facilities and experiment equipment and the people in my lab are really nice. However, life in general isn't easy because it is difficult to access my scholarship fund. I would like to go on to the doctoral course once I have graduated.

Before I arrived in Japan, I was under the impression that Japanese people were serious and kind of stuffy but, to my surprise, I have met only active and friendly people. Life is also convenient in Japan but money-wise it is hard and I think I am going to have to find a part-time job.

For people who are going to study in Japan - work hard at studying Japanese before you come!