From Republic of Korea
- Name
SONG Yelim
- Country/ Region of Citizenship
Republic of Korea
- Graduated from
Sungkyunkwan University - Department
Department of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (Doctoral)
Privately-financed student (nominated Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students)
How did you find out about Waseda University?
I knew about Waseda University when I was in Korea because it was also famous in my country. Moreover, I had been checking this university since I was a high school student. This is because I was interested in and wishing to study at Waseda University. Since my sister came to study in Japan earlier, luckily I could get much information from her.
Why did you choose Waseda University?
I first knew about my supervisor through recommendation by my previous supervisor at the master’s program, and I searched his information at the website for Waseda University before choosing a professor. I soon decided to receive his research instruction without any worries since I am able to obtain a degree under cooperation with NIMS.
How did you get information for our program?
The website for Waseda University was the most helpful. Then I could get much information by asking some Korean students at Waseda and making inquiries of the admissions office by e-mail.
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?
I was concerned about tuition fee the most before coming to Japan. I worried that I could afford to pay tuition fees, my rent and expense for food so on every semester even if I got a salary from NIMS, my organization.
I was also concerned that it might be difficult to start studying new areas of research because I chose a different department from the master’s program.
Have you had any difficulties when you started a new life here?
I did not think that I had difficulties since I had traveled in Japan several times. However, there were some difficulties with visa application and paper procedures at a city office when I came to Japan as a foreign student. But I managed to solve the problems shortly because many people helped me a lot.
How is your life in Japan and Waseda?
I usually do research at NIMS in Tsukuba City as a NIMS-Junior since the PhD program does not have classes. Tsukuba City has many parks and beautiful nature. At NIMS, I enjoy studying everyday because professors and researchers kindly instruct me in research when I have a trouble.
What do you do in your free time?
I usually take a rest at home, go shopping or eat out for delicious Japanese cuisine. But I like hot springs the most because it relieves me of tiredness for a week.
How are the relationships with your supervisor and lab members?
Students at my laboratory are all international students from Egypt, China and South Korea (me). We have nice experience and opportunity in taking about our own countries and eating those local foods etc. as well as doing research.
My supervisor is very kind and cares about me when I have trouble with research or some dangerous experiments.
Outline of the research
My research is about the AlN single crystal. AlN single crystals are a candidate for a substrate in short wavelength optical devices and high power devices. However, current representative AlN single crystal growth methods are required hard conditions, like high pressure and high temperature. Therefore I choose the Liquid Phase Epitaxy growth method. This method has the advantages of lowering growth temperature and pressure once I find suitable materials for flux. The purpose of my work is to find a way to grow high quality standing free AlN single crystal substrate.
What is your career goal after your degree completion?
I plan to do postdoctoral study for one or two years if I have opportunity. Although my career goal is to become a researcher, I have not decided the place to work whether it would be in Japan or Korea yet.
Short message to the prospective students
in English
There are many students who hesitate to study abroad due to limited information or lack of local language ability. But you will get much information from others and many people are willing to help you if you start preparation with courage.
I often find foreign students who enjoy and adjust to their life in Japan although they did not understand Japanese at all at the beginning. Studying abroad gives you not only a study aspect but also a lot of opportunity to learn and experience many things at the same time. There are various programs and scholarships at Waseda University for those who have financial problems. Therefore you will be able to find an appropriate scholarship if you carefully search.
in Korean
외국에서 공부하고 싶어도 정보가 없거나 언어를 몰라서 고민하는 학생들이 많을것이라고 생각합니다. 하지만 용기를 가지고 준비를 시작하면 이곳저곳에서 정보를 얻을 수 있고, 도와주시는 분들도 많이 있습니다. 일본어를 전혀 모르는 외국학생들이 일본에 와서 잘 적응하고 생활하는 것을 볼 수 있습니다. 외국에서 공부하는 것은 공부이외에도 배울 것이 많고, 다양한 경험을 할 수 있습니다. 경제적인 문제로 망설이시는분들도 와세다 대학교에 다양한 프로그램들이 있고 장학금도 많이 있기 때문에 잘 검색해 보시면, 자신에게 맞는 장학금을 찾을 수 있을 것입니다.
