★We asked alumni about the special English course.
４．What benefits did you find?
Able to study and graduate using English, especially for those who are not good at Japanese.
As a foreigner, you can learn both English and Japanese. For your future as a scientist, English is essential.
No need to study the Japanese language before enrolling in the study.
It’s very friendly to whom don’t speak Japanese as their native language. English is very often in academic communication as nearly all papers are written in English, and the master thesis could be easier to finish. The burden from language could be erased to some degree, so someone could devote themselves to the real thing with more effort.
We can establish the connection between international students, don’t so depressed about Japanese study obligations, and can focus on their main studies.
It is unique for accomplishing the study within the stipulated duration. It is attractive to global students for the English language.
Wider social and research networks (together with Japanese students and International students) could be established.
Need not have to study the Japanese language and thus spend more time developing the understanding of the science or subject matter.
Good for publishing papers in English journals and presenting research at international academic conferences.
５．What is your profession after graduation?
Research assistant.
Own business.
Research Officer.
Teacher in University.
Postdoctoral Research Associate.
Unemployment (stay home mom).
Analytical services (Technical consultant).
advanced R&D engineer.
Company researcher.
Researcher (研究開発部）in a Japanese company.
Officer (Senior Technical Specialist).
Biology teacher in high school.
PhD. student.
Clinical translational scientist.
Venture capital investing.
Management of scientific research projects and foreign affairs.
６．What have you found to be effective at Hokkaido University from an employment standpoint?
During my Ph.D., I learned a lot from writing a basic protocol, designing experiments and troubleshooting. Those skills are very crucial when you look for jobs. HU students are relatively well-trained.
I think the most effective was society.
Teaching and practice of scientific research activities.
Excellent research facility and standard.
Various experiences at HU (studying abroad, Networking, lab life).
Open discussion for research.
Advisor, professors, research facilities, environment, everything is very ready and very good.
Educational process (We can meet our supervisor almost every day, so it is easy to communicate and discuss research, senpai always helps kohai, etc).
Reception of individual, technical and social skills through the pedagogic procedure of HU.
Teaching the expectations and rigors of research.
Due to the experimental farm being well established, a deeper and more systematic study is possible.
The financial and human support in the research collaboration; also with the availability of scholarships.
I learned laboratory techniques that are relevant to my field and had the chance to work in a multicultural environment.
Scientific research attitude, Lab management methods, experimental methods, international environment, etc.
I learned how to think and how to solve the problem at HU. The great support from my supervisor let me know how to be an advisor, and how to make a team work together.
７．Please let us know if you have any comments or requests for Hokkaido University (or the Graduate School of Agriculture).
HU is a great place to study and prepare students for academic and research sectors. More activities/programs should be planned to encourage and help foreign students to learn Japanese in a faster manner, other than the Japanese language classes currently provided by the university.
I strongly recommend the HU graduate school of the agriculture program. You will learn from basic science to apply to a variety of animal food. It was my best time learning new things and became to grow up as a scientist.
Wish there were more classes and research group meetings conducted in English for both non-international and international students together to share knowledge and language.
HU should encourage open discussion in the English language.
I feel that the language barrier is by far the biggest obstacle to obtaining the best possible education at HU. Most events, research seminars, and announcements are in Japanese, so foreign students often lack exposure to important scientific advances and networking opportunities.
I think it would be necessary to establish a network for the English program. Collect the current information (job and email) from the Alumni and send them to us. It may be helpful to make a great link.
In my eyes, HU and the Graduate School of Agriculture were perfect.
