Engineering Graduate Education

[Wingmaker]

Hello all,

I am currently applying Monbukagakusho postgrad scholarship to pursue Master's /Ph.D. in RF Systems Engineering in Japan. One university which I plan to approach if I get nominated is Tokyo Institute of Technology. Tokyo University seemed too hard to obtain admission.

I am a Chinese from Malaysia, and have zero Japanese language ability. Again, if, so luckily I manage to secure the scholarship, I will be given 6-month Japanese language training.

So I would like to ask if this 6-month period of Japanese language learning be suffice to study such specialise topic mentioned above in T.I. Tech.? Besides, I like to hear more accounts from people that have knowledge or have studied in this institute before such as their graduate education quality, professors, research facility and outputs, and so on.

Anyone's comments, opinions and sharing are very much appreciated.

[dreamer]

Hum... I don't know if it will serve you but I have seen many foreign student arrive in France to study a specific topic without any previous knowledge of French, and their intensive french course only lasts 2 months. Amazingly enough, their grades are among the best of the Uni. Of course, do a lot of extra work but by what I mean is:
If they can do it in 2 months, don't you think you can do something better in 6 months?

[epigene]

I don't know much about Monbukagakusho scholars, but if you're accepted, it means that the Japanese ministry recognizes your talent and potential. With your academic aptitude and enthusiasm to learn a new language, I think you'll be able to acquire the language for your area of study.

In fact, science (including engineering) is a universal language, and knowledge of the field will help you a lot in learning Japanese counterparts in scientific terminology. In this respect, acquiring Japanese in science is easier than gaining Japanese mastery in the humanities.

Good luck and enjoy your stay in Japan!

[Elizabeth]

Besides, I like to hear more accounts from people that have knowledge or have studied in this institute before such as their graduate education quality, professors, research facility and outputs, and so on.
Anyone's comments, opinions and sharing are very much appreciated.

You might consider contacting members Cyberryo and Euske who have
related some of their experiences as grad students while at TTI in the below thread. Best of luck !

http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22811&

[Wingmaker]

Thank you for all the replies. Anymore comments and opinions are welcomed.

[cyberryo]

Hi Wingmaker,
I don't think you would have a problem doing your graduate program after 6 months of Japanese language. I remember that they allow English thesis for the graduate program. When I was there, I have Malaysian Chinese friends doing Civil Engrg Masters and they didn't have any problem too. But you do need to tone your expectation in terms of smooth communication with fellow Japanese master students as their spoken English may not be fluent enough. Still, it is a good chance to brush up your Japanese too.
Ken