When I arrived at Narita airport on January 6th,2021, there was a Hello Kitty with a mask on a poster saying‘stay safe for your stay’ and this was my first impression of Tokyo, warm and cute. So does my impression of Tokyo Medical and Dental University. I participated in Japanese classes and dental clinical practice in my first year. With time went by, I learned a lot. These days, with the help of my supervisor I started my research. I am very lucky to have every teacher and friend in TMDU. I have met beautiful sunset, heavy snow, typhoon and cherry blossom here and I am looking forward to feel more in TMDU.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old , but on building the new.” So as the Socrates said.

Before I came to Japan, I was delayed for a long time because of corona virus. The future was so unpredictable but attractive at that time. I was worried but never lose hope chasing my dreams. Fortunately this year I finally came to the TMDU which often appeared in my dreams. Teachers are all really nice and so as the department members. Everything goes smoothly as I hoped. Not only did I meet with a lot of interesting new friends by Japanese class and inter-school activities, but also I learned professional knowledge through wonderful lectures and courses. For me, every day is a different  experience with new progress.

I hold a renewed passion for scientific research with the guidance and help from the supervisor. Although there always be storm and wind in the future, I’ll never be afraid and plunge ahead. I believe all of us should act quickly and seize the time to study, with the knowledge to create our own brand-new, with the knowledge to create a better future. So let’s cherish the present and embrace the tomorrow.

This is the second spring I have had since I landed Japan.  Beautiful cherry blossoms, warm breeze, even gentle drizzles, are the same as last year, but I have thrived at TMDU, not only as a student, but also as a member of the community.

TMDU offers a great academic support. I enjoy the seminar a lot.  At first I felt intimidated by the fact that I have to face lots of difficulties on the academic research, but later, as I learned the sparks of inspirations the seminar has brought to me, I began to build up confidence. And I know for sure what I’ve learned will pave a more solid way for my academic career.

Beside the academic support, I also appreciate a lot the embracing community TMDU has created. I became closer to Japanese culture and made many friends in the Japanese class. I met people from different part of the world and befriended with them at Hanami and other special events the school has organized.

My department knitted me with the school. All the teachers and seniors are so passionate about their research that encourages me to dedicate more into my studies. They have helped me with their open hearts on my study as well as my life. The fear of living in another country shedded away. I felt welcomed, embraced, and cherished.

I am so honored to be a member of TMDU and I will keep pushing on my future doctoral career.

 

A person must often reflect and think about himself when he is young and make corresponding changes, otherwise he will drift with the tide all his life. So I am writing this essay on my first day as a true graduate student, not only to remember the past year in this department, and also to present it to myself as a gift to begin my journey of PhD for the next four years with great expectation.

 When I was an undergraduate, I heard about world-leading medical level in Japan, so I majored in Dentistry and minored in Japanese, during which I developed a strong interest in Japanese culture. When I learned that I could continue my study in such a famous school, I was full of gratitude and enthusiasm.

 Life must meet but not once. Although it’s my first time to go abroad alone, after I came here, I found that all the teachers and classmates here are very kind and warm-hearted. When I’m afraid to communicate with people from different countries, they would like to take the initiative to care about you and be willing to make friends with you. And also, I was worried about the difficulties in life caused by the different language and culture, but obviously I was overthinking it, none of them existed because they are willing to help you in any way they can. I would have had a hard time getting through this special period without them.

 In terms of study and research, it is very important to have an independent, flexible, innovative, forward-looking and broad-minded perspective, then put it into action actively, my supervisor taught me that. There is no doubt that direction is more important than speed. Before l come to Japan, I told myself that the opportunity to become an international student is too precious to waste, I must cherish it and strive to become a bridge between different countries in dental or other fields.

 For the future, whether it is to be a good dentist or to live a good life, I truly believe that the things that can only be paid off through long-term efforts will make a real leap in life. “Thorn” and “throne” are similar words in English, which means that only those who have stepped through the thorns deserve to wear the crown, isn't it?

 In a word, I am truly grateful to all the people and things I have met here. If you are lucky enough to join this big family, you will start the journey of the sea of stars, congratulations.

 

When I was a college student, I got to know that TMDU is an university with the superior dentistry and high academic reputation. With yearning for the university and love for scientific research, I became a research student of Removable Partial Prosthodontics Department in 2020. Unfortunately, The COVID-19 prevented me from entering Japan until November 2020. However, I joined Japanese courses and regular meeting of my department at home. I have been fortunate to meet many new friends and colleagues by these opportunities.

After I got to Tokyo, the real life of studying abroad began. I prepared for doctoral entrance exam, read a lot of research papers, presented my research experience to join the research team. In general, I think it is busy, challenging but interesting and rich.

In the past semester, I enjoyed the research atmosphere in the lab, and teachers and seniors are totally professional in there research field. At the same time, all the people I met here are quite kind to me. Mostly, I do not need to worry about any problems with the help of them.

How time flies. Although I still have a long time to study in Japan, I must cherish the time to learn more and finish experiments and papers rigorously. I hope to have a deeper experience of Japanese culture in the next few years as well. I am look forward to every day in the future at TMDU

Fear, anxiety, hope, and passion were the mixed feelings I felt since I knew I got a fully funded Ph.D. scholarship to pursue my Postgraduate studies at one of the highly ranked universities all over the world in Japan. Nevertheless, I decided to get out of my comfort zone to face my fears to study abroad. Japan is known for its unique culture on the social and historical levels and that’s what attracted me more to get to know it.

Time flies like an arrow, it’s been one year since I arrived japan and I still remember my first impressions about the first day when I arrived. It took my breath with its natural beauty, cleanliness, and the people’s politeness. I’ve passed through many difficult times especially in my first year due to social and cultural differences. They were tough for me, but I’ve learnt a lot of new things and adapted to the new situation which completely reflected on my attitude and self-confidence. I do owe a lot to my international friends and my supervisors who helped me a lot pass through those difficult times. After my first year, I can say that I do love the Japanese people, they’re so friendly and so helpful. They’re hard workers at a professional level in all the majors I knew what pushed me further to learn more and more from them.

I’m really thankful for all the ups and downs I’ve experienced since I came here. Without them, I wouldn’t be the one I’m today and if the time took me back, I would pick up japan again to pursue my studies!

All experience is the wealth of life. At TMDU, I feel an atmosphere of rigor and innovation, teachers’ profound and academic attitude make me feel excited. Everyone here is moving step by step towards their goals, they are excellent and hardworking. In such an environment, you will unconsciously want to work harder.

Students here are from different countries, even though the different languages and cultures, we share and help each other, discuss the progress and methods of the research. In spare time, we always talk about foreign cultures, at the same time, I also try to introduce some Chinese culture and cuisine. The teachers and seniors are very friendly, for us, being in it is as warm as being in a big family. When mentioning some difficulties to overcome in studying abroad, in addition to living habits and language communication, what you may think is how to eliminate loneliness. This problem is well solved, we have lots of opportunities to meet new friends, the college often organizes events on special holidays.

The beautiful Tokyo and pleasant climate are perfect for us to have a relax after a week of study, cherry blossoms, Autumn leaves, fireworks display. Finally, I hope everyone’s life is as bright as fireworks.

First of all, I feel greatly privileged to be accepted as a graduate student of the Department of Removable Partial Prosthodontics. My deepest gratitude goes to all members with a warming heart and welcoming hand. Being a graduate student there became one of my turning points to a better path.

To be honest, I was used to be a weak-minded and easily depressive person, so have struggled much to get a good sound sleep at night. However, since I’ve belonged to the RPD department, I have become a person with responsible, confident, and self-esteemed because of RPD’s members’ kind support, caring, guidance, and encouragement in my Ph.D. journey at Japan. Their behavior and attitudes taught me to appreciate every single gratitude to what I encountered, also changed my mindset to be positive and not reluctant of to be failed; which drives me to a person what I am right now.

As you know, studying abroad is not such an easy journey; trying to adapt to somewhere new far away from hometown and families we love. I would like to say I was lucky enough to get such continuous support from my department’s members during my study abroad in Japan. Through gaining generous support, I could comfortably pass through all the struggles, loneliness, and challenging study in Japan. Furthermore, I’ve gained a lot of experience and knowledge about the research, and the clinical procedures, and had a chance to learn from the expert faculty members with regards to prosthodontics. These are the best benefits that I have ever gained throughout my life.

I am quite inspired by each RPD’ member, who is hardworking, independent, responsible, and always passionate about their work. Studying here for almost 4 years, shaped me into to be such alike of them. I am really overwhelmed with gratitude for their help. I totally believe that my experiences and knowledge earned from Japan would be advantageous for me to confront every battle that will be waiting ahead in the future.

Being a student in a foreign country is one of the most beneficial experiences in life. Students can have good opportunities to study foreign languages and learn good habits and culture from the new lands. Japan is my favorite country, well known for the politeness of the people, and is one of the most technologically advanced and the safest country in the world. I decided to go to Japan for my further studies.

In April 2015, I started to learn Japanese at a Japanese language school and then I joined Tokyo Medical and Dental University according to my plan. I chose the Removable partial prosthodontics department because I heard from my senior that I would get a chance to assist in the clinic and also do laboratory works for real patients. I have always wanted to learn about prosthodontics clinical and laboratory procedures. I began my studies as a research student before I entered the Ph.D. course.

It is a good challenge for studying and working together with different people from different countries. I appreciate that the Japanese are extremely hard-working and punctual. All teachers and students come to the university and start their clinical work from 9:00 to 17:00. After the clinic, some continue to do their laboratory works and some research until late at night. I had learned so many things from my department, especially prosthodontics laboratory skills, which I had never learned before.

One day, I got a chance to make a metal post and core from an assistant professor when I was assisting him in the clinic. I learned how to make the post and core from my tutor and I did very carefully from waxing up to casting and till the end. I was so excited when my teacher tried on the metal post and core. It was a good fit without any problems. After a few months, when I was assisting the teacher, we met that patient again together, he showed me that this patient was using the post and core I made. Though I had made many laboratory works back in my country for patients, I felt so honored because the post and core that I made all procedures by myself could be used perfectly in a Japanese patient.

I am confident that when I graduate from this department, I can perform wonderful clinical and laboratory skills, have creativity in the research field and could implement the knowledge wherever I will be. I want to encourage students from all over the world to experience our removable partial prosthodontics department.

As I said, I do believe in second family. A family that loves. A family that cares. A family that not relate to you. That all comes from the friendship. Friendship is certainly not about who you’ve known the longest. It’s not about how many hours or years you’ve spent together. Especially when you are studying abroad and you are miles away from your family, the friends you have become your second family, the family that you choose. They are the ones you share everything with, celebrate special days with, laugh and cry with, get sick and get well with.

A place where family stays safe and together is called home. As a foreign student, feel safe and relax is the important matter for their studying program. Here in japan, friends are my second family. In this department, all faculty members are second family for me because we made a bond, we made great friendships, we laugh together, we celebrate special days together that creates the family spirit. As a result, we all became like a family then our department became a home where I can feel safe.

Leaves take off green and put on their golden coat. Autumn decorates the campus with a massive scarlet carpet. This is the season I enjoy the best, not only attribute to the comfortable temperature and amazing views, but also because I make progresses in study and engage in conferences and activities. It is gorgeous but short, however, worth expecting.

When chill pierces my skin, deeper and deeper, all the way into my bone, I realize it is winter. Tokyo is bleached out of the red colour of autumn, petals perish. Snow is rare here, but this winter, I see it. I hate winter, it is tremendously freezing, I doubt if I could survive it, I confront the greatest dilemma in study. While I feel wavered and confused, a snowflake dances in the air, into my hand, and then melts. I raise my head and notice even on the coldest days of winter, the sky is blue, the sun is shining. My mentors, seniors and colleagues are those who support me to push through all the pains to become the best person that I can be.

Life is a journey, full of good things and obstacles. I believe eventually, I will pick the sweetest fruit, from the tree that stands at the destination.