Welcome to the Student Voices Series. The series interviews students at our English-medium programs. Once a month, the International Admission Office will release an interview with our students. We hope these interviews can be helpful to you when thinking about choosing to come to Ritsumeikan University (RU).
Post by International Admissions Office
Khanh Linh from Vietnam
College of International Relations,
Global Studies Major (GS), 2nd Year
Scholarships Received:
Tuition Reduction Scholarship,
Saionji Memorial Scholarship,
Japan Material Foundation Scholarship
I believe that RU was the best choice for me since it is one of the most renowned Japanese universities that provides English programs. It is a truly dynamic international environment, with professors and friends from all around the world, which makes it ideal for the pursuit of my future career.
Moreover, the Global Studies program really caught my attention for its interesting syllabus design. I was impressed by such courses as Global Simulation Gaming, Gender Studies, and Japanese Culture because they are different from those in Vietnamese schools. I genuinely thought that these courses would help me broaden my knowledge, and learn in the most active and realistic way.
All RU campuses are in Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Shiga).
How did this affect your choice to come to this area, out of all the other areas of Japan?
I chose the Global Studies program, meaning I get to study in Kinugasa, Kyoto, at the oldest campus of RU. I would say that Kyoto is a wonderful place, packed with Japan's rich history and traditional culture. Kyoto is quite tranquil and quiet compared to other places, but it is absolutely stunning with the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha, or the golden reflection of Kinkaku-ji on the water. The city has several temples, ancient castles, and also several festivals and delicious food. I had the chance to come to Kyoto before, so I enjoyed the place and wanted to learn more about it. I think this is a city worth living in.
Kyoto is beautiful. This is one I took in Fushimi Inari Taisha
I love parfaits in Kyoto, especially matcha (green tea) flavored ones.
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Whose advice impacted you the most to choose this university?
In the process of choosing a university, I had consulted with my teacher, who knew a lot about Japanese universities. Things that worried me were the program quality and financial aid. After some discussions and research, I figured out RU is a good choice for its high-rankings and multiple scholarship chances.
At RU, I could get tuition reduction based on my academic performance. And later, I also received a one-year sponsorship from the Japan Material Foundation, thanks to RU's recommendation. This has helped my family financially and also encouraged me to continue the hard work.
Consulting with people who have experience can really help when it comes to such an important decision. However, I think each person has their own priorities, so you should really consider your own preferences as well. Some would choose the school for campus activities, modern facilities or good career support. I highly recommend taking open-campus tours (if you have the chance), or finding videos and information about RU on the internet before you make up your mind.
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I always try to arrange my schedule with 1-3 classes a day to avoid over-burdening myself. After classes, I usually stay at school to study at the library or IR lab to finish my assignments.
In my first year, I had my Academic Skills classes, which helped me a lot with academic writing and research. Other classes were fun, too, (but I wouldn't say that they are easy :D). We usually have discussions and presentations in class, so I get to polish my English skills.
Classes from second year are more challenging and require more reading, but if you show your dedication, professors are always there to help.
This is my typical day in the library at the Kinugasa Campus. I would stay here all day if I could.
Find out more about the library at the Kinugasa Campus,
How are your relationships with your supervisor, classmates, and lab members?
I was lucky enough to have a very supportive professor in my first semester. She guided me with my active research on working Vietnamese students in Japan. I still remember going to Kyoto City's International Community House to do my first interview ever. I am so proud of my accomplishment, and I learned so much from her. We still keep in touch until now.
Since I'm in an international program, I can meet many students from all over the world. Everyone is so open, and we get along well very easily. Although the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic might cause some inconvenience due to online classes, I could still make new friends through social media. We usually have group studying sessions on Zoom to help each other out, which makes it less lonely while attending school at home.
In the College of International Relations at RU, class sizes are usually smaller, around 10-20 people in some classes, so that professors can pay close attention to each student's progress. Moreover, since we have different cultural backgrounds, it is more interesting when discussing a specific problem. The environment can also be quite new to someone who studied in public school before, like me. Active and constructive participation is always appreciated, so I feel more comfortable sharing my ideas.
I am taking part in the Oritors, (Orientation Conductors), the group conducting orientation for first-year students. In the school festival last semester, we had a food stall where we made paratha bread, Indian flatbread, and sold it together. We also went hiking to get to know Kyoto. It was so much fun.
Picture from the Oritors and first-year students' hiking. We went to Kiyomizu Temple!
In addition to this, I am also a member of Ritsumeikan Food Bank, although we are still under preparation to make the circle official. We are doing food support to act against hunger on campus, and we want to spread this spirit to everyone.
Staying up late at night is the fun part of university life! I am not a morning person, so when registering for classes, I would prioritize ones in the afternoon to have more time for sleeping. Buses and trains can also be very crowded in the morning, and it is great to avoid that.
I always try to keep notes of deadlines and make plans to finish schoolwork before entertainment. However, when the final season comes, it is better to stay up late studying rather than watching Netflix until 3 am. Whatever you do, remember to get enough hours of sleep!
I love Japanese food, especially sushi, but I don't always eat it. Sometimes when I miss home flavors, I make Vietnamese "Nem" which is fried spring rolls filled with minced meat, mushrooms, carrots, and noodles.
Voila, yummy "Nem"! I cooked them!
Some ingredients can be found easily at Gyomu Supermarket, near my place. There are even some Vietnamese stores around the city where I can buy my favorite chili sauce, fish sauce, and other special spices that Japanese stores do not sell.
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. Always try your best and don't give up!
Chúc các bạn đạt được ước mơ của mình. Cố gắng lên nhé!
