Grad Life in Japan

GRAD LIFEIN JAPAN(or no life?)

@LUNATICNEKO

2014.08.23 / BARCAMP BANGKOK 2014

Agenda

Basics of NAIST

Pictures and Awesomeness and Loldeer

Q & A

Who am I and where do I go?

@LunaticNeko

Graduated from: Kasetsart University (CPE)

Studying: Nara Institute of Science and Technology (Information Science)

Also known as: NAIST.

Website: lunaticneko.com

What is NAIST?Nara Institute of Science and Technology(奈良先端科学技術大学院大学)

(I can pronounce it but don’t ask me to write)

A small graduate-only national university

Three schools:◦ Information Science

◦ Biological Science

◦ Materials Science

Where is it?

TokyoKansai Area

Where is it?

How do I get in?First off, NAIST is a graduate-only school. You need some BS to get in.

Un

der

grad

Sch

oo

l

NA

ISTMEXT

(Embassy Recommendation)

Private Application

MEXT IPGP(University Recommendation)

Find & Contact Professor Negotiate Funding Options

Skype Interview (informal)

Submit Application to Prof. Prof. Sends paper application to student affairs

Remit ¥30000 exam fee

You also need: TOEIC score

*If your TOEIC is high enough your prof.can “vouch” for you.

Private Application

On-Site Interview in NaraExam content:- Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, etc.- Presentation of research plan

After you’re accepted:

Wait for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Apply for Visa

Get Visa & Go to Japan!

1 week

1 week Thai Airways offer extra 10kg (total 30kg)baggage and discounts for students.Please call THAI directly for details. Noendorsement is implied in this message.

Let’s go to Japan

At Kansai Airport, just take a bus ticket to Nara Gakuenmae.This is the recommended route for first-time travelers. If you’re seasoned and don’t have luggage, you can use the train which is cheaper.

Wait for that bus.If you’re having trouble keeping up, remember you don’t have to take notes.

Take a bus. You can purchase a ticket or pay directly. (Ticket is easier.)

But where should I get off the bus? Don’t worry. It’s easier than you think.The name of the stop is “narasentankagakugijyutsudaigakuindaigaku”, full name of NAIST. Just remember the picture instead.

The Sacred Reservoir.Actually just a pond. Not many fish remain.

What you need to live in JapanLegally speaking you need a bunch of stuff. You need others, too.

A valid Visa

Residence CardInsurance Card

& Move-in proceduresAt: Airport Immigration

At: City/Ward Office

Lodging

Provided by NAIST

Utilities

Gas and Phone. Let’s talk about phone.

Getting a Phone in JapanThere are three major phone carriers in Japan:◦ NTT Docomo

◦ Au by KDDI

◦ Softbank

Here’s my recommendation:◦ If you use iPhone, go Softbank

◦ Otherwise use Docomo

Softbank internet plan is unlimited. FUP at 7GB. The fee is about 4500 Yen per month.

Rundown of ExpensesWhat How Much (Yen) Notes

Dormitory 10000/mo Fixed rate, 11m2 room

Phone 4500/mo Softbank iPhone plan

Utilities 1500~4000/mo More if you have aircon

Food 600~1000/d Cheaper if you cook

Enrollment 282,000 (one-time)

Tuition 267,900/semester Can be waived

Examination 30,000 (one-time)

Free for MEXT Students

For 10000 yen you get this room

ท่ีฉีดตดูก็ไม่มี!

Let’s take a look around.I ’LL BREAK WITH FAQ OCCASIONALLY.

Welcome Party(that’s how you dress in Spring)This is one of the few times you can get back at NAIST if you think the tuition is expensive.

In case NAIST officials are present: I’m just kidding sir/madam.

Sakura in Campus (wear a medium jacket)If you arrive in Spring Term, you will see the sakura the first thing when you get there.

Well we get our own party soon enough.

Takayama Science Plaza

Great Temple at Mt. YoshinoBest place to walk and see Sakura

FAQ, Part 1.Do I need to understand Japanese?◦ Only basics. If you know how to greet and thank

people and say the name of food it’s enough.

How much TOEIC score do I need?◦ At least 400. But, to maximize your advantage at

NAIST you should have 750.

FAQ, Part 1.Can I learn Japanese there?◦ Yes. Refer to the following plan:

What about culture?◦ We have a Japanese Culture class taught by English-

speaking teacher. We also have excursions.

Type of Class Cost Location

Group Free NAIST

Private 250 Yen / 1:30-hour session Ikoma City

Nara Friends Party (led by sensei)Sports attire OK. We biked there (20km)

A village near NAIST (July. about 30°C)

Finally couldn’t take the heat.(September. 34-40°C+)

How we study in NAISTSchool year is divided in quarters.

20 credits in coursework

Thesis

Two seminar talks (20-30 minutes)

How oldies kill their time: Hiking!Mt. Ikoma Amusement Park

Osaka from Mt. Ikoma

The security guard is patient.This guy got five parking citations for his bike and it still isn’t impounded.

Here’s my bike.

Bicycle rules in JapanRide on the road except told otherwise.

Helmet required for riders 13 or younger.

You must register your bike for theft prevention.

Price list:◦ “Cross” or Hybrid (like mine) => 25000~30000 Yen

◦ Road Bike => 60000+ Yen

◦ Electric-Assisted Bike => 70000+ Yen

***DRUNK RIDING IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE***

Where can I ride?*Local destinations near NAIST:◦ Gourmet City (2km) => Supermarket

◦ AEON Mall (3km) => Supermarket + Stores

◦ Gakkenkitaikoma Station (3km)

◦ Keihanna Garden (7km) => Very beautiful autumn

◦ Ikoma City (8km) => Banks, etc.

Mostly mountains. Practice with borrowed bike first before deciding to buy.

Keihanna Memorial Park (November)

King’s Birthday Party at Thai Embassy

I think it’s Christmas Party somewhere.

FAQ, Part 2.So how’s actually the climate there?◦ Nara is generally warmer than Tokyo.

◦ Prepare clothes for all weather.

◦ Snowfall is rare but it happens.

SNOW?! Really?

0

10

20

30

40

50

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temperature Levels in Nara (from Wikipedia)

Record High Average High

Average Low Record Low

You bet.

Nara National MuseumOne of the few buildings with western architecture

Todaiji

Deer at the Nara Park

If you want more snow, go north and go skiing. (Nagano Prefecture)People say snowboarding is cooler, but I think skiing is classier ;)

FAQ, Part 3.*How much is skiing?◦ Referring to Thai Students in Japan trip …

◦ The fee is about 30000 yen for a 3-day trip.

◦ I can’t ski: We teach for free.

◦ Wear: Heat tech + long john + jacket

◦ Bring: Gloves + goggles + snow jacket (rental gear are bad)

◦ Thai Students in Nara community are expert snowboarders.

FAQ, Part 3.So how do you get living support?◦ TA, RA, extra project work from teachers

◦ Scholarships from Private Foundations (Panasonic, KDDI, Iwatani Naoji, etc.)

TA Job is cumbersome.Programming Exercise

… and can get dirty really fast.Rover Experiment: Trace the line with LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3

But don’t worry. We still have enough time to eat takoyaki.

… and go to conferences … (Niigata Pref.)Are you hungry?

… conferences …I just realized I took NO pictures of that conference.CRAP. SORRY SENSEI.

Work Culture in Grad SchoolHow about the work culture?◦ Actually quite relaxed. No fixed hours for students.

You’re free to work as early & as late as you want.

◦ I mostly stay at dorm.

The lab and your advisor hold meetings.

Generally if you complete your work you’re free to do whatever you want.

There’s a cat café in Ikoma too.

Advantage of Studying in JapanYou WILL graduate in 2+3 years.◦ If not, you’re KICKED OUT of the dorm.

Cheap tuition fees◦ Thai students get 50% off.

Simple education process◦ No need to fight the Graduate School Office

◦ Everything is up to your advisor.

Also:

Mecca of Cat Café.There’s Gundam Café too.

I think I ran out of ideas.

Let’s start a Q&A. Please ask away.

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