Welcome to the Student Voice Series. This series interviews students in our English-medium programs. Once a month, the International Admissions Office releases 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
Tran Khanh Linh from Vietnam
College of Policy Science,
Community and Regional Policy Studies Major (CRPS), 2nd Year
Scholarships Received:
MEXT Scholarship Graduated High School:
Foreign Language Specialized School
Hobbies:
Dancing, Playing the piano, Listening to music, Learning languages
Why did you select the Community and Regional Policy Studies Major (CRPS) at RU?
I knew that the school environment helps students a lot, with very good facilities and learning equipment, especially the OIC campus, where CRPS is based, which was built only a few years ago. Before, during, and after the application process, the school office also helped me a lot. The school and the program also offer many scholarships, especially MEXT scholarships for students in 5 countries in Asia, including Vietnam, helping them to become independent in their study abroad life without too much financial help from their parents.
I also saw on the school's website that the CRPS Program offers many opportunities to interact with Japanese students and intensive Japanese classes. This is completely consistent with my dream of choosing to study abroad in Japan, as I also want to further develop my Japanese language ability and exchange knowledge about Japanese university students' culture or learning styles.
How did you find out about RU and this program?
I found out about RU and this program through the University's website, the Japanese University Fair in 2018 and 2019, through friends, seniors in high school, and the introduction session of RU at my high school.
Did you get help from your siblings to look for a university overseas? Whose advice impacted you the most to choose this university?
I got help from my twin sister while we were preparing for the interview part, and also proofreading. However, I received the most help from my dad, as he also studied in Japan before. He introduced and encouraged me a lot to apply to RU and CRPS.
About your studies...
Outline your course and studies. Give us an overview of your studies and course schedule from the 1st year to now.
As the course is about Policy Science, we learn a lot about problems around the world, our different perspectives as students from different countries, and which kinds of policies should be applied to solve them.
Interestingly, we can learn about policies that were made, and come up with our own new solution, such as writing a policy brief.
I have been taking two to three classes a day, with an average of 19 credits per semester. It was busy at first, as I was not used to the University's way of learning. But after a period of time, everything just went on track, and I was able to study hard for all the classes.
How are your relationships with your supervisor, and classmates?
I love my classmates and professors. Even though lots of my friends are not in Japan yet due to the coronavirus and border restrictions, I still have chances to talk with them in class, through SNS, or events. There are lots of events which are held by PMSG (Peer Mentor Supporters Group), the student council of CRPS, so we join them and play games or just chat with our friends.
The professors are nice and friendly, and they not only help us with our assignments, but we can also ask them even private questions for help, and they can offer some solutions from the University. I was struggling in my first year, not being able to handle my time and health due to stress, but the professors and even people from the student office also offer helped and gave me advice. I think this is one of the best things we have in RU.
Eating Vietnamese food with international friends at the dorm
As I am in the second semester of the second year, I need more knowledge regarding what I want to research for my thesis. I am planning to take classes related to urban planning and business.
As I also want to do job hunting in Japan, Japanese is essential, so I will take a business Japanese class. I am thankful that our university offers this class, as it is very difficult for international students to learn 敬語 (honorifics) and specific business Japanese vocabulary on our own.
As I am living in a dormitory of the school, OIC International House, I have the opportunity to interact a lot with international students majoring in CRPS, RM students (mostly Japanese students helping international students in daily life or paperwork in Japan), or other Japanese students, as well as international graduate students and university students of other disciplines. People come from many regions as diverse as Asia or Europe, so the cultural exchange is very interesting. Living in the dormitory is also fun, with many activities, such as last November when we had a trip to Kyoto City. We also celebrate birthdays for members in the dormitory, have cultural exchange through dinner parties, and celebrate special occasions such as Christmas.
Birthday party at the OIC dormAt school, I not only go to school but also participate in extracurricular activities and one of the school's clubs. Currently, I am a member of the Kansai Wall Street Club (277 members), with students from not only Ritsumeikan OIC but also other campuses and universities. Although because of Covid, we didn't have too many activities. Everyone still tried to maintain the school's rules such as wearing masks, social distancing, and I was also able to perform a few times.
Dancing contest and events with my circle - Kansai Wallstreet
I am also currently doing two part-time jobs on campus. I am working at the BBP (Beyond Borders Plaza) as a management staff member, and we hold cultural exchange and foreign language study events. I learnt a lot from doing English and Japanese translation, and creating plans or posters for events.
A BBP event poster that Tran Khanh Linh madeAs for the library, I work as a library staff member and do jobs such as reorganizing books, managing the Peer Learning Room, and project activities such as making events and pamphlets. Recently, I also created the first English library tour for English-medium students, and I was glad that so many students came to support me.
Reorganizing books as a library staff member at the OIC library
A poster from Tran Khanh Linh's first English library tour for English-medium students
Find out more about Beyond Borders Plaza and Library
I used to study all night and could not balance my schedule. But after a period of time, I realized that having enough sleep is very important to effectively study.
My tip is to always note down and schedule your assignments and deadlines, plus study between classes throughout the day. It might sound weird, as between classes you should get some rest. However, I usually feel motivated after classes, so getting a rest for 15 minutes and then studying during the break times is very effective for me. Then in the evening, I take long breaks for entertainment, such as playing the piano, practicing dancing, or watching dramas.
I love the food in the cafeteria. My favorite dish is onsen-egg with okra. I think it was voted as the favorite dish among students of OIC. I also love the 100 yen breakfast as it gives me full energy for the whole day, and it is cheap. That's why I typically have a 100 yen breakfast before classes and eat less at lunch, to save money!
What is your career plan and goal/dream after graduating from RU?
My ultimate goal is to apply for a job in Japan at a company that has a branch in Vietnam. I am planning to start applying for jobs from the 3rd year, like a normal Japanese student, and this is quite difficult as my Japanese is not as good as native speakers. At the same time, I am also trying to earn as many credits as possible in the first 2 years, so that by the 3rd year I will have more time to practice and apply for internships and jobs. If I am lucky enough to get a job, I would like to work in Japan for a few years to gain experience, and hope to be transferred to the company's branch in Vietnam to work.
Find out more about Carrier Paths at the College of Policy Science
Message in English/ Vietnamese
I think that it is important to believe in yourself, know what you want, and have a plan. Then you can definitely do anything. Plan from the small things like the application schedule, then the certification exam schedule, and know what you want to study and research. Then I think getting into CRPS and RU will not be difficult, and you can also have the chance to receive a scholarship! Good luck to you guys!
Chị nghĩ rằng mình chỉ cần tin vào bản thân, biết mình muốn gì và lên kế hoạch thì sẽ làm được. Hãy lên kế hoạch từ những việc nhỏ như lịch apply, rồi lịch thi chứng chỉ, biết mình muốn học và nghiên cứu gì, thì chị nghĩ vào được trường sẽ không khó, cũng như các em còn có cơ hội nhận được học bổng! Chúc các em may mắn!
Chị nghĩ rằng mình chỉ cần tin vào bản thân, biết mình muốn gì và lên kế hoạch thì sẽ làm được. Hãy lên kế hoạch từ những việc nhỏ như lịch apply, rồi lịch thi chứng chỉ, biết mình muốn học và nghiên cứu gì, thì chị nghĩ vào được trường sẽ không khó, cũng như các em còn có cơ hội nhận được học bổng! Chúc các em may mắn!
