I think the appeal of our university is that it allows students to find so much fun that they think, "I'm glad I chose to study Science and Engineering."

In the School of Fundamental Science and Engineering (FSE), students are nott assigned to a specific department in their first year. Instead, we take classes based on common curriculum among entire faculty. It is in their second year that they are assigned to a department. One of the attractive aspects of FSE is that this system enables students to consider which fields they are interested in and what career path they wish to pursue, while gaining fundamentals that span a wide range of fields.

In many universities, students choose their department at entrance exams, so their major is decided as soon as they enroll. When I was in high school, I wanted to study in the field of science and engineering for no specific reasons, and I was unsure about which specific field to specialize in. The system of FSE seemed perfect for me.

Even for students who already decides major before entering university, unlike me, FSE is highly recommended. There is a significant possibility that students might find a substantial gap between their pre-enrollment expectations and the actual content of their major once they start studying specialized subjects in university. I hope that everyone can take the time to carefully consider what fields they truly want to study and find a major that they are genuinely satisfied with.

In the Department of Computer Science and Engineering(CSCE), where I am enrolled, we specialize in studying computer science. One of the department’s appealing features is that we can take courses that are distinct from the typical lecture-focused ones.

In our classes, there are many opportunities to engage in hands-on learning, such as writing actual programs and analyzing and interpreting the results. This allows for a deeper understanding compared to the usual classes. Additionally, some courses are conducted entirely in English, which is an incredibly valuable experience for students attending a Japanese university. Reflecting on my own experience, I often have to read textbooks and research papers written in English for my studies. Thanks to these English-taught classes, I have become more comfortable obtaining information directly from primary sources without relying on translations.

While the content learned in class is, of course, important, the methods of learning and what is also crucial. I encourage you to experience the unique courses offered by our department and to realize how they can significantly change your approach to and perspective on learning.

Although I had the option of going to graduate school, I’ve decided my mind to get a job after graduation. I am going to work as an engineer. The turning point for trying this job is the programming class I took in the first year. This class was my first encounter with programming, and I have been deeply engrossed in it for four years.

I believe that finding something you are genuinely passionate about and truly interested in is extremely difficult in life. During my time at university, I found programming, which is what I love so much that I decided to make my living by it. Like this, as I experience various things that may happen in my life from now on, my goal is to live my life in such a way that I can find something that moves my heart, rather than just doing things.

“Waseda University has many students who are willing to take the initiative in their studies. Especially in FSE, many students have interests in the fields of science and engineering. However, even students who enter the field with a vague interest can, through classes and research, discover the excitement of science and engineering and come to feel that they made the right choice. This is one of the attractions of our university.

Moreover, university is not just a place for learning but also a place for meeting new people. At Waseda University, you can encounter people and deepen friendships through sharing your academic passions and enjoying common hobbies. Maybe you are now facing difficulties while preparing for entrance exams, but I hope you will make the most of your college life after admission. Good luck!”