I think it is a liberal faculty with a wide range of options.

I spent all three years of high school studying, but I also enjoyed playing sports, so before COVID became widespread, I was active in the soccer club. There were times when I got tired from soccer and ended up sleeping during class. Also, since my school was by the seaside and had dormitories, I experienced living in a dorm. After school, I often played in the sea with friends, so I feel like I had a fulfilling school life.

Before entering university, I wanted to study in the field of sciences for my future, but I was unsure which major to pursue. I felt that choosing the Schoole of Fundamental Engineering would allow me to study broadly without limiting my options. Subsequently, I chose the Department of Electronic Physics Systems because it integrates material, photonics, quantum, and system design fields, enabling me to learn a wide range of foundational subjects that suit my interests. Another reason was that the department’s research laboratories cover diverse areas including not only physics but also optical communication, information, and biology, which appealed to me.

Regarding my research laboratory, which focuses on fields involving Fourier transform, I have had few opportunities to study deeply this area before, but I feel there are many stimulating aspects where I can apply the knowledge I have cultivated so far and make new discoveries. Additionally, since it is a newly established laboratory with a small number of members, I find it easy to communicate with my professor and feel that the distance between students is close, making it a comfortable environment. Moreover, as we are in the process of setting up the laboratory, I believe we can create an environment conducive to conducting research that suits our interests.

I feel that the system of FSE allowing students to study a wide range of disciplines without narrowing down their options in their first year is beneficial for those who are not yet clear about what they want to study. For those who have a specific department in mind or a research laboratory they wish to join, if they work hard during their first year, they can aspire to enter their desired field based on their efforts. Therefore, I believe it is a liberal faculty with diverse options while also allowing students the freedom to pursue their interests.

I have had various experiences such as hanging out with friends from my department and going on trips. I also love traveling, and I have visited various places with my family, learning about the local customs and rules of each region, which I believe has deepened my knowledge. Furthermore, I enjoy being active, participating in a soccer club, and taking on part-time jobs, which has allowed me to gain experience in the workforce and expand my community involvement.

I plan to pursue a master’s degree in the future and aim to work in a profession where I can apply the knowledge I have gained through research after graduation. While I am considering careers that utilize my research skills, I also feel there are other options available, and I hope to explore what suits me best moving forward. My professors have suggested progressing to a doctoral program, but at the moment, I am not considering it (lol).

In university entrance exams, everyone tends to have subjects they are good at and others they struggle with. However, sometimes changing your perspective on the subjects you struggle with can unexpectedly make you start liking them. Personally, I struggled with English since high school, but I had the opportunity to go abroad for a short period where English was the only common language. I engaged in conversations in English earnestly because of this, and I found communicating with people from different countries enjoyable. As a result, my discomfort with English disappeared. Things you feel uneasy about can surprisingly become strengths, so trying them out could widen your horizons in life.

Thank you for providing me with this opportunity. Through this interview, I was able to reaffirm the reasons why I chose to pursue the Department of Electronic Physics Systems and clarify my research interests. There are many other fascinating aspects within the Department of Electronic Physics Systems that I am interested in, so I encourage you to visit and experience it firsthand. I hope this interview effectively conveys the strengths of the Department of Electronic Physics Systems at the School of Fundamental Science and Engineering, Waseda University.