Pia Mader
I am always open towards new challenges to improve my knowledge and to gain new experiences. Studying in Japan was therefore very appealing to me, as it is famous for placing a great value on education, and for its high working attitude. Hence, I was thrilled to hear about the DD program offered between the Kansai University and my home university Justus-Liebig-Universität. In addition, Kansai University is highly regarded and well equipped in many areas.
Since the chemical focus of KU partly differs from my home university, I can expand my chemical knowledge with the courses offered and learn from highly experienced professors. This made this international experience even more intriguing for me.
I am also learning a lot in the laboratory during my stay here. My research in the working group of Professor Sanda is in line with my previous interests. However, it is still something new for me. Doing research in the field of polymer design and creation, I can further enhance my scientific skills and obtain new experience as a chemist.
Next to the high value of education, the Japanese culture provides further interesting aspects. Especially in my dormitory, I like to talk with the other residents about cultural differences and enjoy them while for instance cooking together.
In conclusion, I see this exchange program as an opportunity to grow professionally, as well as personally.
After this exchange, I will return to my home university in Germany to complete
my master’s degree. Afterwards, I plan to get my doctoral degree in chemistry.
Whether I will return to Japan, I can’t and don’t want to rule out in any case.
Rene Sebastian Rekers
hen I first heard of the possibility for this double degree program at JLU, it was like a call. Going abroad is something, a scientist is often recommended to do. The new experiences one would get, the difficulties that must be overcome and the miracles, one might experience are all possibilities to grow. Personally, culturally, scientifically… taking this challenge is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience a different part of the world. During only 2 months, I have seen many new things, met kind and interesting people who I hope to maintain good contacts with for the future. Good science is living from people connecting, bringing together different ideas and appreciating each other. In the end, we are all humans, we are all curious.
Well-founded cultural understanding cannot be learnt by only reading books, it can only be learnt by doing. So, I recommend this program to everyone else, passionate to learn, willing to work, and keen to grow. It is a unique chance to see the world and enlarge one’s perspective of how things are different from the usual habits. Sometimes maybe even peculiar, and still just normal for others. I can just say, it is a unique experience, like a rock-climbing tour you will remember for the rest of your life.
And btw… It’s the most effective way to get two master’s degrees in one study.
Raphael Neisius
I applied for the Double Degree Program of the Kansai University, because it was a unique opportunity to combine the long-term visitation of a foreign country with my academic career. Already in Germany I encountered aspects of Japanese culture that rose my interest into the country, namely its Comics,History and Kendo. With this study visit, I expect to observe and learn from Japanese culture, while I advance in my academic field. Since communication is crucial in a globalizing world, I train my Englishspeaking abilities and gain Japanese-speaking abilities during this stay, that I will maintain in future.
After my stay in Japan, I will finish my master’s degree under joint supervision of both universities in Germany. Afterwards, I will start my doctor’s degree for the field of natural sciences. If feasible, I already thought about a return to Japan as part of a semester abroad, during my doctor studies. I intend to become a chemist in the field of physical chemistry, working presumably in the photovoltaic industry.
I recommend the participation in these exchange programs, because you receive deep insights in a country of your choice, and you develop yourself a lot.
Julia Toews
I have applied for the DD program with KU, because in the field of chemistry, international cooperation is indispensable. After hearing about the DD program for the first time, I was excited about the idea of studying at Kansai University; Japan is one of the leading countries in the field of chemistry and the scholastic offerings at Kansai University are second to none. I am working in the laboratory of Professor Ishikawa and as there is a phenomenal variety of equipment, hence I am very happy that my research work will be conducted there.
Of course, I am also very interested in getting to know Japan and the culture. The Kansai region is known as the cultural and historical heart of Japan, so there’s no better place to get the full Japanese experience and immerse myself in the culture than at Kansai University. Furthermore, I want to grow as a person and increase my horizon. After returning to Germany, my newly learned knowledge will help me having new perspectives on my research work and this will be a benefit not only for me, but also for my home university.
With all the acquired insights I will write my master thesis and then graduate in the fall of 2023.
Double Degree Program
A double degree is a study program based on an agreement between Kansai University and an overseas university in which both universities award their own degree to participating students who satisfy each university’s requirements for degree conferment. The Graduate School of Science and Engineering is currently implementing a double degree program with partner universities in the master’s programs.
