Mr. Im has been studying steadily at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School with the aim of of going on to a graduate school in Japan, and he passed the exam for entering the Graduate School of Political Science and Economics at Meiji University.

We asked Mr. Im, who has always been studying with an exemplary attitude, about his study methods and his life as an international student studying in Japan.

Which class was most helpful for you with preparing for the graduate school entrance exam in Japan?
I think that the optional subjects related to graduate school admission were the most helpful. Of course the lessons of the other optional subjects also helped to improve my Japanese proficiency; however, I think that taking the optional subjects related to graduate school admission was indispensable for learning how to write my research proposal, which would directly affect the outcome of the entrance examination.

Please tell us about the key to your success.
I know that everyone has their own way, and my way of studying might not be the most efficient one, but I just kept studying every day and I think that helped me the most. On weekdays I studied at school in the morning and went to the library after lunch to study, and on weekends, I studied at the library from its opening until its closing time.

Please tell us about the teachers of Tokyo Galaxy you want to give thanks to.
Firstly, Ms. Nakagawa, who taught me enthusiastically even though my Japanese was very poor right after coming to Japan; and Mr. Kumazaki, who helped me with my interview practices, cutting back on his lunchtime. I sure am grateful to all the teachers at Tokyo Galaxy, but those two teachers are especially memorable and I would like to thank them.

What made you decide to enroll in Tokyo Galaxy?
Since I decided to study in Japan immediately after finishing my military service for two years and four months, I did not have enough information about studying abroad compared to the other people. The people at Tokyo Galaxy’s South Korea Office kindly explained me in detail about what I should prepare before going to Japan and the curriculum of the school, and I decided to study here.

Which of your skills have improved after entering Tokyo Galaxy?
I came to Japan without even knowing Hiragana, so I think my Japanese ability has improved greatly since I entered Tokyo Galaxy. All of my skills, listening, writing and speaking, were so poor, so I would say that my Japanese skills were cultivated by the lessons at Tokyo Galaxy.

It has been about an year and a half since you came to Japan. How is your life now compared to when you just arrived?
I couldn’t even read the hiragana written on the signboards, so I was always afraid of being spoken to, and I got nervous at stores because I was worrying if I would be able to answer properly when the store staff said something to me in Japanese. I really can’t believe this, but my Japanese improved so much and now I’m being complimented on my language ability. So I’m living without any problems.

Please give some advice to your juniors planning to go to graduate school in Japan.
I recommend you to study English and prepare for the JLPT before coming to Japan if you have time to spare. If you do so, you can put more effort into preparation for the graduate school entrance exam. I have heard that many Koreans majoring in business administration or economics are hoping to go on to Japanese graduate schools, but most of them are giving up on the way. I believe that if you continue to work hard to the end without quitting, you will always get good results. I’m wishing you the best.

What are you planning to study in graduate school?
I’m going to conduct a study on the population aging issues and the countermeasures against them. I may not be good enough, but I have a desire to do something for South Korea, my home country, which is facing the arrival of the “super-aging society”.

Our interview with Mr. Im ends here. Mr. Im has always shown a strong will to make a plan, put it into practice and achieve his goals. He was participating actively in class discussions, positively affecting the other students.

We believe that he will continue to have a positive impact on people around him when he begins his postgraduate study in Meiji University.
Thank you very much for the interview.