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<\/a><\/p>\n- \n
- Name
\nSHINMOTO ALVAREZ Rafael Alejandro<\/strong><\/li>\n- Country\/ Region of Citizenship
\nRepublic of Peru<\/strong><\/li>\n- Graduated from
\nPontifical Catholic University of Peru<\/strong><\/li>\n- Department
\nDepartment of Computer Science and Communications Engineering \uff08Master’s\uff09
\n<\/strong>The Nippon Foundation Nikkei Scholarship Honor<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nDid you have any concerns before coming to Japan?<\/h3>\n
Actually, this is not my first time to come to Japan.\u00a0 In 2009 I stayed for 9 months as a research student in Yamaguchi University thanks to an academic and cultural program of Yamaguchi Prefecture.\u00a0 As you may know, there are a lot of Nikkei (Japanese descendent people) in Peru, and they formed associations based on their place of origin, called Kenjinkai.\u00a0 I used to participate in one of them, Yamaguchi Kenjinkai, and they gave me this opportunity.\u00a0 My great-grandparents were from this prefecture.\u00a0 Since that was my first time in Japan, I was very curious and excited about visiting a new country, as well as the place where my family came from.\u00a0 At the end it was a great experience for me, I learned a lot about Japanese society and its culture, and of course some Japanese language as well.<\/p>\n
I didn’t have that many worries before coming to Waseda.\u00a0 I knew I wouldn’t have to experience a strong cultural shock because of my previous experience.\u00a0 Probably I was a little concerned about the language, because even though I had studied Japanese language before coming, I was not yet proficient.\u00a0 But in Waseda, many students and professors can speak in English, so it was not a big problem.\u00a0 Apart from that, I knew that it was not only the language but also the social code, the rules of Japanese society, to respect one-s superiors regardless of age, like the ‘Senpai’ concept.\u00a0 I knew that I could get used to it, but I just wondered how long it would take.\u00a0 But anyway, the idea of studying abroad was so exciting that I actually wasn’t thinking much about those things.\u00a0 Coming to Japan once again was what I really wanted to do.<\/p>\n
How did you find out about Waseda University? And why did you choose us?<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>searched for information about universities in Japan on the Internet, and there I quickly found Waseda University.\u00a0 I also read the rankings of universities in Japan, and noticed that Waseda was always in them.\u00a0 Then, when I visited the Waseda’s homepage and looked for programs and faculty members, I liked it, and after checking the details of the program I decided to apply.\u00a0 I sent emails to many universities, and the first one to reply was Waseda.<\/p>\nHow did you get information for our program?<\/h3>\n
Before coming to Japan, only through the web.\u00a0 After arriving, I had an interview with my professor.\u00a0 He explained me more about his laboratory and the research they were conducting.\u00a0 Then I decided that I wanted to join his lab.<\/p>\n
How is your life in Japan and Waseda?<\/h3>\n
Life in Waseda is very good.\u00a0 I am satisfied with it.\u00a0 Now I am a first year student in the Master’s program so I am still taking classes, but after classes I do research in my laboratory.\u00a0 I come to the university on weekdays mainly.
\nAbout life in Japan, I think I already got used to it.\u00a0 Now that I am living in Japan, I see this as a very good opportunity to learn and get the Master’s degree I want.\u00a0 But I also think I have to take this chance to learn outside of the classrooms too, to meet other people, to visit different places, and to have many different experiences.<\/p>\nWhat do you do in your free time?<\/h3>\n
![\"photo01-200x133\"](\"http:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fsci\/assets\/uploads\/2016\/03\/photo01-200x133.jpg\")
<\/a>If I have some free time and I am not too tired, I like going out with my friends and have a meal or a coffee with them.\u00a0 Sometimes we go to the karaoke too.\u00a0 I also like going on trips and taking pictures, since that is one of my hobbies.<\/p>\nHow are the relationships with your supervisor and lab members?<\/h3>\n
There are more than 30 students in my laboratory, of which surprisingly only 6 are Japanese.\u00a0 A large number of the international students come from China, and others come from different countries around the world, like Myanmar, Vietnam, Tanzania, and Venezuela, for example.\u00a0 Our lab is very international.\u00a0 My professor, Sato sensei, is very nice and talkative, although he is busy most of the time.
\nLast semester, sensei held an off-campus seminar at the university’s seminar house in Karuizawa.\u00a0 We went there all together and had a good time. It was fun.\u00a0 When we are in the laboratory, every one usually focuses on his or her research.<\/p>\nOutline of the research<\/h3>\n
- Country\/ Region of Citizenship