Sirada from Thailand-2020admission

The ICP program grants me the opportunity to be a Kyoto University student without language barriers. Thanks to this program, I am able to enjoy life in Japan while also pursuing my academic goals. It has been four years since I joined this program. Overall, ICP has equipped me well with theoretical knowledge necessary for research. The program has allowed me to discover myself and determine which part of this field I want to engage in. Furthermore, in terms of daily life, I have made several friends from different nationalities and enjoyed the magnificent scenery and culture of Japan in every single moment!

Academic perspective

The first two years of the program mainly focus on liberal arts, social studies, and fundamental science and math classes. It was unfortunate for me that it was during the COVID-19 season, so that I could not join those classes on campus. Nevertheless, the knowledge I received through online classes has enabled me to join the more advanced and specialized classes in the civil engineering field. The real civil engineering study began in the third and fourth years. We took various specialized classes in the third year, which were very challenging and fun to learn at the

 same time. In the fourth year, we chose our laboratory and the topic of our graduation thesis. Personally, I found hydraulics and hydrology to be the most complicated yet intriguing subjects, so I decided to join the lab related to hydrology. Being able to conduct research in the field you are passionate about is the most enjoyable part!

Friends and daily life

Friends in the ICP program are very supportive, and we always have year-end parties together. When I entered the laboratory in the fourth year, my lab members were also nice and kind. With many international friends, we can exchange our cultures and learn from each other. As for Japanese friends, even though I cannot speak Japanese very well, they are considerate, and we can slowly communicate with each other. I am glad to have met these people during my years in the ICP program.

Life in Japan is really amazing. Japan is a splendid country to enjoy scenery and its fascinating culture. I do not have to worry about the language at all because there are always people here who are willing to help. The only downside is that you might miss some opportunities and connections with people if you cannot speak Japanese or do not have the confidence to do so. But overall, it is another kind of experience worth trying as well.