I’m not officially enrolled at TMU, but I came to Japan from Italy to work on my Master’s thesis as part of Professor Adam Cronin’s lab. I first reached out to him by email, and he was incredibly kind and helpful. He supported me in shaping a project I could work on and guided me through everything I needed to prepare for coming to Japan. 

So far, my experience in Japan has been amazing. At first, it was a bit tough. I didn’t know the language or the customs, so daily life could be confusing. But the people around me, especially in the lab and at TMU, were always ready to help. I live in the International House, where the staff are really supportive, and there are also services like counseling available, which made me feel more comfortable. 

The biggest challenge has definitely been the language barrier. Sometimes I needed to read things in Japanese or communicate with people who didn’t speak English, but everyone I met was really patient and kind. TMU also offers Japanese classes for international students, which is a great way to learn and connect with others going through the same experience. 

Working in the lab has been one of the best parts. The team is great, and I always feel supported by my supervisors. Being surrounded by people doing all kinds of research is really inspiring, and I enjoy the collaborative atmosphere. 

Even though I’m not a full-time student at TMU, I’ve felt very welcomed. Everything is well organized, there are a lot of services to support students, and I always found someone willing to help when I needed it. Based on my experience, I’d definitely recommend TMU. It’s a great place to do research, meet new people, and grow both personally and academically.