About the Foreign Research Student program

Although I decided to study abroad, I did not have any expertise that would enable me to keep up with the level of studies at a graduate school. I was also feeling a little uncertain about my Japanese language abilities. And so, I decided to start out by attending the graduate school for one year as a Foreign Research Student. Foreign Research Students at Kansai University Graduate Schools are able to take the same classes as the other degree-seeking students, and can also use a variety of facilities. I was able to think about what it was that I wanted to study, while giving myself time to get used to living and taking classes in Japan, and I was also able to meet a professor with whom I wished to further my studies.

About my studies

After attending the school as a Foreign Research Student, I formally enrolled in Kansai University's Graduate School. I am taking courses other than those on psychology, and also, I think that for the classes that I took last year as a research student, my level of understanding of its content has deepened. In the future, I would like to write a doctoral thesis on art therapy, which is what I am interested in.

About student life

When I first came to Japan to study, I had many Taiwanese friends, but now, my ratio of friends is about half Japanese and half international students, and I have made friends with people from many different countries. In the beginning, it was difficult to understand the Kansai dialect, but now, I find myself speaking it, too. Also, at a Japan-Taiwan student conference held every other week, we do presentations and debates with Taiwanese and Japanese students from other universities. We have fun, because we get to meet diverse students and exchange different opinions, and we also go on study trips together.