From Hong Kong
- Name
LAU, Kayan - Country/ Region of Citizenship
Hong Kong - Graduated from
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong) - Department
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering（Master’s）
Ting Hsin International Group, Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp. Scholarship Honor
Why did you choose Waseda University?
I have obtained my bachelors degree of engineering in Hong Kong and I have worked at an international firm for 4 years. And to advance my study, I attempted to search the information for the Master’s course, for example about WASEDA, because WASEDA is famous in Hong Kong, KEIO University, The University of Tokyo in Japan and other universities in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. While browsing their websites, the word `scholarship*’ in WASEDA’s web caught my eyes. It was really attractive. If I have the scholarship, I will not have to worry about the tuition fees, living expenses, or a part time job, and I will be able to concentrate for my study. Then, I decided to apply for WASEDA.
* The Ting Hsin International Group, Tingyi(Cayman Islands) Holding Corp. Scholarship
Did you have any worries before coming to Japan? Have you had any difficulties when you started a new life?
Only thing I have worried about is language. But now I can enjoy my life here in Waseda and Japan. Japanese culture is nice and academics of Waseda are good. The weather in Hong Kong is similar to Japan. Now the temperature is about 10℃ in Hong Kong and it is almost same in Japan. About the food, it is resemble, too.
I think I am doing quite well in my life in Japan, without serious problems.
Thanks to the orientations before the course begun, I could have much information, such as, how to use facilities in the university. And staff members always support me, I think I could easily adapt myself to new life. The orientations are good opportunity for me to meet many students.
How is your life in Japan?
I think that people in Japan are honest and polite. Well, I have working experiences in Shanghai, but there, I can lose my belongings so often. I mean, if I leave something on the desk or else, they are gone. In Japan, I can leave my belongings by the desk without worry. I think it is because of the personality of Japanese.Japanese landscapes in each season are very amazing for me: Momiji in autumn, Sakura in spring, and now I look forward to seeing snow falling in winter. I have been to NIKKO to enjoy Momiji(Autumn leaves), It was beautiful.
I think that Japan and Hong Kong are close in the cultural points. Japanese people are kind and good, and Japan is secured. So, I can enjoy my daily life feeling at ease. I am satisfied with my life.
What are you doing on your free time?
In my free time, I take free Yoga lessons at Okuma Garden House or sometimes take part in the activities held by ICC (International Community Center). As I like shopping and eating, I always search delicious cake shops in Tokyo, especially in JIYUGAOKA, KICHIJYOJI, and KAGURAZAKA.I also do Culture exchanges with Japanese students.
Well, some of private financed students might do a part-time job for the life, but I am a scholarship student (The Ting Hsin International Group, Tingyi(Cayman Islands) Holding Corp. Scholarship), I can take much time for my study, researches and to understand Japan well, without financial worries. I think I am really lucky, and satisfied with my condition.
How is the relationship with your supervisor, with your labs members?
In my lab, NAKAGAWA lab, there are 20 students of 8 Master year one student including me, and others are Master year two students and seniors at undergraduate school. There are international students from Mexico and Soudan. We can communicate in both English and Japanese. I know that Chinese students and Taiwanese are majorities among the international students at WASEDA, but in my lab, it is different.
Professor NAKAGAWA is like a farther or dad, I think. When I ask the questions, he takes time to think about it well, and then answers to me carefully. I mean he is not a person who is aggressive, easily gets angry, but he is a person of patience, and also friendly. I really respect him.
Short message to the prospective students.
in English
Hello everybody, I am Karine Lau from Hong Kong. I am a Master year one student from Faculty of Science and Engineering who obtain the scholarship from Ting Hsin International Group, Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp. Waseda University has rich academic resource and experienced and qualified teachers, providing me with a good learning environment. I wish I could see you in Waseda campus soon.
in Chinese
大家好, 我是來自香港的劉嘉欣。我是透過頂新國際集團康師傅控股有限公司提供的獎學金入讀早稻田大學理工學部的碩士一年級生。早稻田大學擁有很豐富的教學資源及優 良的師資, 為我提供了很好的學習環境。希望在不久的將來也可以在早大的校園幢跟大家見面。
