From Spain
- Name
FIALLOS OLIVEROS Carolina
- Country/ Region of Citizenship
Spain - Graduated from
University of Barcelona
- Department
Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience (Doctoral)
Privately-financed student
How did you find out about Waseda University?
My Japanese friends and some teachers at the Japanese language school mentioned Waseda University several times when talking about education in Japan and I read more about it when looking for Japanese universities on the Internet.
Why did you choose Waseda University?
I was interested in the research carried out by my professor’s lab and I could talk with him and some of his students after participating at the university open campus. I liked the atmosphere here and the possibility of studying what I like without worrying about my Japanese level. Other universities with interesting research projects only offered Japanese-based programs, which would have been too difficult to follow.
How did you get information for our program?
An informative session about Waseda University and some of its programs was held at the Japanese language school where I was studying. Then, I was given further information through the Admissions Office and the University website.
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?
Before coming to Japan under Student status, I had come several times to study Japanese for a short time or just to travel around. However, I had never lived abroad for more than one year and I was not sure I could easily adapt to the life in here. I was also worried about the possible differences in the educational system and my capacities to follow a doctoral program in Japan. Luckily, I am gradually adapting to everything and the cultural or educational differences are not that big.
Have you had any difficulties when you started a new life here?
Not really. Sometimes I felt that my Japanese language level was not enough to do some procedures by myself, but I could always rely on my friends’ help and the patience and kindness of Japanese people, so I would not consider that kind of situations a real problem.
How is your life in Japan and Waseda?
It is very nice; I really like it! Sometimes I am so busy I do not have time to do all the things I would like to, but it is only a part of growing up and acquiring more responsibilities. I am not always having fun, but neither working or studying the whole day; normally there is a balance that makes me feel happy with my life in here.
What do you do in your free time?
Until last month I had a part-time job and I used my limited free time to go to the gym and relax. Now I have more time to meet my friends, walk, go shopping or study Japanese.
How are the relationships with your supervisor and lab members?
Everybody in the lab is kind and friendly and my supervisor is always willing to listen to your queries. If you have any doubt or problem you can always ask your supervisor or any lab member and they will kindly help you.
I normally communicate in English, but since most of the members are Japanese I also have the chance to practice some Japanese.
Outline of the research
Basically I am studying the nervous system development in Zebrafish embryo. I am using the genome-editing tool CRISPR/Cas9 to analyze the possible effects that the lack of concrete genes could have in its development.
What is your career goal after your degree completion?
I will take these years to decide what kind of work fits me better and where I want to perform it. I thought I would end up working in a laboratory somewhere in Europe, but I would consider also working in Japan.
Short message to the prospective students
in English
Studying abroad is always a good opportunity to broad your horizons and grow as a person. Either if you are looking for new experiences, want to live in Japan or the studies you want to follow are not given in your country, going out and living in a different culture can bring us a lot of things.
Studying at a well-recognized university such as Waseda, besides the language and adaptation support we can have better opportunities to improve our future. Therefore, I really recommend to take the chance and study here.
in Spanish
Estudiar en el extranjero es siempre una buena oportunidad para ampliar horizontes y crecer como persona. Ya sea por estar buscando nuevas experiencias, por querer vivir en Japón o por que los estudios que queremos realizar no se dan en nuestro país, salir y vivir una cultura diferente nos puede aportar mucho.
Estudiar en una reconocida universidad como Waseda, además de facilidades en cuanto a idioma y adaptación podemos obtener mejores oportunidades para nuestro futuro. Por lo tanto, recomiendo de veras arriesgarse y tomar la oportunidad de venir a estudiar aquí.
