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"Take advantage of the valuable information resources available at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app."

Zhiwen Zhang
Home country: China
Graduate School of Media and Governance
Fudan University-´ºÓêÖ±²¥app Double Degree Program (Master's program)

Zhiwen Zhang is a participant of the double degree program with Fudan University, China, launched in 2005 with the Graduate School of Media and Governance, at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app's Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC). The program allows participants to receive a master's degree from ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app in Media and Governance and a Master of Law in International Relations and Public Affairs from Fudan University. Passionate about his research on Sino-Japanese relations, Zhiwen enjoys making the most of the research resources available at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app. Each campus has its own Media Center, each with a different specialization, and together the media centers house a massive collection of around 4.6 million books and journals.

How did you find out about your current program and what made you decide to pursue it?

I got the information about this double degree program from Fudan University, my home university. I chose it because my research domain is Sino-Japanese relations and because of the good support system offered by ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app.

What do you enjoy about life at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app?

I enjoy studying with my advisor, Professor Yorizumi Watanabe, because he is very kind and warm-hearted to me and supportive academically. For instance he introduced some of his acquaintances who can help me with my research, such as by helping me to locate research materials. I also like ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app Media Center very much because it is very convenient for students and because the librarians are very kind.

Please tell us about a challenge that you have faced since coming to ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app and how you overcame it.

Language; my Japanese was poor before I came to ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app, so at first I could not communicate with others outside of campus. However, after learning elementary Japanese for one semester, my Japanese is gradually getting better.

How have you changed as a result of coming to ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app and to Japan, and how have your views of Japan changed?

I think that ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app treats its students fairly. My impression of Japan has changed in that I now realize that Japanese people are much more friendly and kindhearted than I imagined.

What are your plans after you finish your studies at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app? What do you think you will take with you from this experience?

I will look for a job in my field. I think the language skills and research and teamwork methodology that I have learnt at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app will be useful for my future career.

How would you recommend ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app to students in your home country?

I will recommend my friends in Fudan to apply for this program and will also introduce this famous and long historical university to my Chinese friends.

Please give a brief piece of advice for prospective international students at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app.

Work on your language skills and communicate with Japanese friends. Take advantage of the valuable information resources available at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app. Good luck to everyone!

(This interview is from December 2012.)

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