From People’s Republic of China
- Name
HUANG Yifan - Country/ Region of Citizenship
People’s Republic of China - Graduated from
Peking University - Department
Department of Modern Mechanical Engineering (Master’s)
Privately-financed student (nominated Partial Tuition-Waiver Scholarship and Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students)
How did you find out about Waseda University?
Waseda University is quite famous in China, so I have known Waseda since I was 12 or 13 years old. However, I found this program for international students last year. Some of my friends told me that some universities in Japan offered programs taught in English for International Students.
Why did you choose Waseda University?
I am very interested in Robotics and Japan is one of the countries that are famous for Robotics. Within Japan, I definitely wanted to live in Tokyo other than other cities. Then I decided to choose Waseda.
How did you get information for our program?
My friends told me about the program and I checked the website of Waseda as well. Japan is quite different from other countries. For example, in many countries, school begins in September but here it starts in April (and September). So I checked every single detail about the admission to Waseda on the website.
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?
Yes, the main concern was about language. Last year, after I applied for Waseda, I came to Japan and traveled around Kansai Area to see if I can handle the language barrier. Generally speaking, many people in Japan don’t speak English. When I asked for help in Osaka, people were eager to help, however, it turned out to be difficult because of language barrier. So I really concerned about that before I came here.
Have you had any difficulties when you started a new life here?
When I tried to open my bank account in Japan, they asked me to speak in Japanese in order to get a credit card so I needed to ask my friend for a help. I had to ask many people for help since I needed a lot of information to start a new life. However, most of the information I got was in Japanese so it was really hard for me. I was in an exchange program in the United States about 2 years ago and I needed to get information there too but that was all in English so the things were much easier for me. I think it is a big difference.
I have many friends in Tokyo so they helped me a lot. Everything is getting better after I learnt to speak some Japanese. I was studying Japanese for 3 months after I decided to come here and I am still learning. I think, maybe it is easier for Chinese to study Japanese because we recognize KANJI (Chinese Characters). I think the main problem is still the language barrier but I mean if I want to work and study in Japan I have to learn Japanese. Hope that most of the problems will be solved after I can handle Japanese.
How is your life in Japan and Waseda?
So far it’s good. Life is busy because I have a lot of work to do in my lab. It is fine because I learn a lot from that. And I am looking for an internship in summer so I do not have a lot of time to get relaxed. I feel that I have been learning a lot so far. In my lab, KOBO, more than half of the students are International students, and I get along with many Japanese students as well.
I rent an apartment and live alone because I did not want to take a train every morning. I walk to campus every day. It only takes about 20 minutes so it is very convenient. The food here is good, though more expensive than China. I make breakfast on my own every day and usually eat at the Cafeteria on Campus or restaurants with friends for lunch.
What do you do in your free time?
I do not have too much free time actually. I go jogging in the morning. I used to play football and tennis a lot in China so now I am looking for some friends to play together. I play the guitar after work, and am looking for some music circles as well.
Besides traveling to Kansai Area last year, I also went to Izu during the golden week holidays. I visited hot springs, sea coast and “Nanadaru” (the famous waterfall). Next time, I would like to visit Sapporo or Fujisan (Mt. Fuji). I may climb Fuji-san in summer with friends.
How are the relationships with your supervisor and lab members?
My supervisor is very busy because about 50 students are under his supervision, so usually I receive research instructions from the assistant supervisor and other Ph.D. students. We get along really well and our lab members are planning a short trip in summer.
Outline of the research
I work in an actuator group. In short, we are focusing on design, control system and potential application of a new type of actuator. The new design can improve the safety level of robotics during interaction with human-beings. In past three months, my job is to build up the mathematical model on matlab and optimized each critical parameters by simulation. As we have finished the design, I start working on control system and machine learning now.
What is your career goal after your degree completion?
I do not want to go for a Ph.D. immediately after I graduate. I plan to find a job and work in Japan for a few years. After then, I will see whether if I want to change the place to work or go for a PhD. If possible, I want to find a job in robotics.
Short message to the prospective students
in English
Since the day I arrived in Waseda University, besides being depressed by the placid life here, I feel grateful for the comfortable environment, within which, I can seize my time on working and follow my heart at same time. Absolutely, I was surprised and disappointed about the tiny campus and crowded trains, but that is how the life goes on in a metropolis city like Tokyo. Furthermore, if I can choose, I will choose the city like Tokyo to live in for thousands times. In Tokyo, there are countless opportunities, so you can always find the chance to show your value. In Tokyo, there are every single kind of individuals and groups in the world, so you can always find a bunch of friends who share same interests with you. In this titanic and extremely organized city, every existence has its own place, and of course, there is one waiting for you.
in Chinese
从来到早稻田大学开始，在遗憾于生活略有波澜不惊的同时，更在感激这里给了我舒适与自在的学习与生活的环境。这里充满了一种既要争分夺秒有可以遵从内心的氛围。对于实在是过于精致的校园和拥挤的电车确实有些抱怨，不过这也是在东京这种大都市学习要付出的代价。当然，如果可以选择，我一定会选择生活在东京这样的都市中。因为，在这里，存在着各种各样的机会，只要你愿意去追寻，总可以找到施展自己才华的舞台。在这里，存在着各种各样的个体及组织，只要你愿意去发现，总可以找到属于自己的知己。在这个硕大而又拥有极度秩序的城市中每件事物都有自己的位置，当然，也会有一个独特的位置安静地等着你。
