I moved to Fukuoka in April 2017 with the main goal of conducting research and consequently obtain a Ph.D. degree. Although life as a researcher is quite busy and stressful, I enjoy the Japanese atmosphere.

The main points I would like to emphasize are below:

Regarding academia
– The University is well prepared and equipped to receive international students (e.g., English speakers are quite common in the administrative and academic environment).
– Laboratories have state-of-art equipment and future tutors are well-qualified as well.
– Japanese government and industries offer many scholarships for international students. You may have the chance to win one.
– Professors, administrative personnel, and Japanese/international students are quite friendly. They usually get together to eat and drink after a hard workday.

Basic points that may help you in your student’s daily life
– Students will have access to a well-equipped dormitory for a cheap price during the first semester (or 1 year if you came as an exchange student).
– Staying in Japan longer than 1 year, you have to move to a new house, in such a case you need to equip it. Students can easily find secondhand domestics appliances and furniture at a reasonable price.
– Bicycle is a quite common way of locomotion in Japan, Fukuoka is plenty of bike lanes. It will help you to save some money on public transportation.
– The University offers a free Japanese language course (twice per week), it will help if you want to get a part-time job.
– By the way, as an international student, in Japan, you are authorized to work up to 28 hours per week.
– In your free time enjoy Japanese dishes, they are quite delicious and healthy.

Joao Paulo Cabral
Graduate School of Design, Department of Design,
Human Science Course