Students & Alumni

Abigail Chaya Hasyanita

Republic of Indonesia

MEXT University Recommended Scholar

Why did you choose Ritsumeikan University？

I chose Ritsumeikan University because I believed that the university could provide me with conducive research and learning environment that could support my academic goals. Additionally, Ritsumeikan University is also known to be one of the universities in Japan with a high exposure of international student communities and I would want to expand my connections with people from all over the world in the university.

About study in Ritsumeikan University

I entered Ritsumeikan University in September 2021 and at that time the pandemic was still happening, so I spent one semester studying remotely from my home country. It was difficult yet manageable because the university provided us with a various range of learning resources to use. In March 2022 I was able to come to Japan and joined the on-site classes and activities. I was also able to meet my classmates directly and got to know them beyond the screens. The rest of the study tenure was spent with a mixture of preparing my research, doing job-hunting, and doing activities outside the academic world.

Theme of Master Thesis, About reality of research

My master’s thesis theme was about geothermal resources in my home country, Indonesia, and the important factors that determine the energy development. I chose the topic because I had always been interested in renewable energy development in Indonesia. In doing the research, I am grateful that both my supervisor and sub-supervisor have always been helpful in supporting me in developing the research. Additionally, the peers in my lab gave me feedback every time I presented my research on a regular session, so it also helped me to hone my research more. Because of the support I received, the difficulty I faced, such as gathering the data, calculating the results, to writing my thesis, could be solved in time.

Story about the difficulty that you faced

The final year of master’s study was the most difficult phase to me because not only did I need to work on my research, but I also needed to start job-hunting since I wanted to work in Japan. In addition to the academic and career challenges, managing time efficiently became crucial. Balancing research commitments with job applications demanded meticulous planning. The pressure intensified as I aimed not only for academic excellence but also to secure a position aligned with my professional aspirations in the Japanese job market. Eventually, with the support I received from Ritsumeikan University for both my research and job-hunting situation, I was able to graduate and received a job-offer in Japan.

Recommending points about Ritsumeikan University

I strongly recommend Ritsumeikan University for international students who are seeking post-graduate study after bachelor’s degree and wanting to deepen understanding in global economic situation as well as gaining international exposure. Additionally, Ritsumeikan University will support the students on the plans after graduation, be it working in Japan, returning to the home countries, or continuing the study to PhD.

Career path after graduation

I received a job-offer from one of the largest global accounting firms working in the division of corporate finance in Tokyo. I attribute this to Ritsumeikan University, especially the career center who had been a great support in helping me improving my resume and practicing interviews.

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