From Federal Republic of Germany
- Name
LOERBROKS Moritz Nicolas - Country/ Region of Citizenship
Federal Republic of Germany - Graduated from
Free University Berlin - Department
Department of Pure and Applied Mathematics （Master’s）
Privately Financed Student
How did you find out about and decide on Waseda University?
I wanted to study a different language and culture after graduating from my home university, and I chose Japan because it was really fascinating to me.
I was going to a language school in Tokyo learning Japanese over a year before I applied, and Waseda has a really good reputation in Japan. I also used to live very close to campus. So I have met people who studied here and got a really good impression.
How did you decide on Waseda?
I wanted to stay in Japan and wanted to make the experience of studying in a very international environment. And especially from the impression I got now, you can meet people from everywhere in the world here. You can also learn a lot about Japanese culture and Japanese language, so from the kind of people I was going to meet and the kind of networking I was going to be able to do, Waseda was the most interesting to me.Also, since I was living here, I had chances to talk to my future supervisor quite often, so I had a pretty good idea what I was signing up for.
How did you get information on Waseda?
I got information on the website and also came here and got some information.
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?
I knew it was going to be a challenge and it was going to be very different, but that was what I was looking for. I guess since I was going to focus on the language maybe I was concerned that I was going to fail leaning how to speak it but it was not a problem.
Did you have any difficulties when you started a new life here?
Paperwork can be a problem, and still is, but now I have found an apartment and live by myself which would have been difficult without speaking the language to a certain extent. But then, if you go to university your living situation will be taken care of, and you will learn how things work, so there is not too much to be concerned about, I think.
How is your life in Japan and at Waseda?
I just started school here and my first impression of the classes is really good. The class size is really small with between 10 and 20 students. There are a few international students but mostly Japanese.
I also really like Tokyo as a place to live. You can always explore new areas of Tokyo. It never gets boring.
Getting a master’s degree in Japan is different. Especially in Europe, everybody gets a master’s degree, and it is pretty much the same as an undergraduate degree. In Japan you get to do your own research which helps you to decide if that is something you want to do in the future.
What do you do for fun in your spare time?
I like to explore Tokyo, and still after a year, there are always new things, even around Shinjuku. For example finding the best Izakaya (Japanese-style bar) where you can talk to local people. I like to go out in the evening and widen my horizon by making friends with international people and with Japanese people as well, it helps with my language skills. During the day I often go for a ride on my bicycle. It is the best way to see new areas of the town. When it is hot outside I enjoy going to the beach in Kanagawa.I also started to play the game of “Go“ (a traditional East Asian board game) after moving to Japan. I really enjoy it. Sometimes on the weekends I go to a Go salon and play with elderly retired Japanese people. I did not come here for Manga, Anime or games. To me, exploring the culture is more about learning the way people think and learning the language the way it is used.
How are your relationships with your supervisor and lab members?
They are really good. My supervisor is really kind and 100% bilingual. So he can help me with the language when other lab members present things in Japanese. He also spends a lot of time supporting me with my research.
Outline of the research
When entering Waseda University I got the chance to join a laboratory for research on computing language and speech. I want to use statistical methods to analyze some language and cultural differences between Japan and western countries in a scientific fashion.
This is a very interesting field for me because it gives me the opportunity to combine my academic background in mathematics with my passion for languages.
What are your plans for after graduation?
If I enjoy the research I do now and feel it is leading somewhere, I could imagine to do a PhD afterwards and probably work in a similar field. I do not know where yet. It will depend on the job opportunities.
Short message to the prospective students
in English
Hello everybody, my name is Nicolas Loerbroks from Berlin, Germany. I am a first year Masters student at the faculty for science and engineering. I want to encourage you to apply for Waseda University. As I entered I have got a very good impression of my professors and there way of teaching and Waseda is well known for its good reputation in Japan and Asia.
Having lived in Tokyo before entering University here I can say that Waseda is definitely one of the most international places to be in Japan. By studying here I therefore get the opportunity to meet people with all kinds of cultural backgrounds which is and should always be one of the most important aspects of studying abroad.
in German
Hallo, ich bin Nicolas aus Berlin. Ich habe vor kurzem mit meinem Master in Waseda begonnen.
Auch wenn es einem vielleicht nicht als erstes in den Sinn kommt in Asien zu studieren, wenn man sich nicht mit Kulturwissenschaften oder ähnlichem beschäftigt, bin ich sehr froh über meine Entscheidung. Ich habe auf diese Weise die Möglichkeit neben meinem Studium nicht nur die japanische Kultur und Sprache mehr und mehr verstehen zu lernen, sondern bekomme durch meine Kommilitonen auch einen Eindruck von anderen asiatischen Ländern.
Daher ist ein Studium hier eine wesentlich intensivere kulturelle Erfahrung als ich es mir in einem westlichen Land vorstellen könnte und ich kann ein Studium hier jedem nur wirklich wärmstens empfehlen!
