Hi again! I’m Parm, a student from Thailand who studied in the Global Scientists and Engineering Program (GSEP), the first international bachelor of engineering program at Science Tokyo under the Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering (TSE). I will be graduating from this program in Spring 2026 and concluding my role as a student ambassador. Looking back, these four years have been full of challenges, growth, and unforgettable memories. In this blog, I would like to share my experiences in GSEP—both academically and beyond the classroom.
Getting started
Moving to Japan was the very first step of joining this program. GSEP students are offered accommodation at the Science Tokyo Dormitory near Fujigaoka Station, where we can stay until our second year. After arriving, I had to register my address and receive my residence card at the ward office, as well as set up a bank account, mobile phone number, commuter pass, and student ID. Thankfully, GSEP has an international student support system. Each new student is paired with a senior tutor who provides support during the first six months. The dormitory also has student assistants who are always ready to help. The dorm became the place where I built my first friendships in Japan. It was a truly international environment. In my group alone, we had students from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, England, and many other countries. We often gathered in the common area for movie nights or parties to celebrate occasions like Christmas. Those moments made my transition to Japan much smoother.
Course work and laboratory
As mentioned, GSEP is an international program, so all classes are conducted in English. Designed as an integrated curriculum combining science, engineering, and management, this program is not limited to any field. In the first year, we studied foundational subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. In later years, courses became more specialized, allowing students to focus on their fields of interest. We were also required to take humanities, English, and Japanese language courses.
If I were to summarize the academic flow, it would be: general science and engineering knowledge, major course, project-based learning, and research. Here are some classes that left a strong impression on me:
- First year – Calculus I & II and Linear Algebra I & II
These are famously known as the hardest classes among GSEP students. However, they laid a solid foundation for advanced subjects and I found that the course instructors were very passionate about teaching. - Second year – Partial Differential Equations (PDE) and Design Project
In the second year, subjects progress toward applications of science and engineering knowledge. In PDE, I learned to solve differential equations using numerical methods and created simple simulations using Python. Design Project was our first major project-based course. We identified a problem within the Institute and developed a prototype solution. If you enjoy this style of learning, you might also consider joining the ASPIRE League program, where you can collaborate with students from other international universities.
- Third year – Engineering Experiment and Project Management
Engineering Experiment involved hands-on lab training across multiple fields. One of my favorite projects was building a radio from scratch – and it even worked without an external power source! In Project Management, we simulated launching a clean energy power plant in Japan. We discussed the type, location, and size of the power plant while assessing the risks, cost, and return.
- In the final year, students join a laboratory of their choice to conduct independent research. I joined the Inaba Laboratory, where I researched the strength of carbon fiber composite joints. Learning how to operate machines in the lab was a very rewarding experience for me.
Many opportunities at Science Tokyo
I am deeply grateful for the financial support available to students. A number of students are selected as MEXT scholars upon enrollment each year. The scholarship covers airfare, enrollment and tuition, and provides a monthly stipend of 120,000 yen for undergraduate students. Moreover, students who advance to master’s programs often apply tuition exemptions, and other scholarships which can provide similar financial support. Privately funded students can also apply for additional scholarships through JASSO or private foundations of which some requires recommendation from the Institute.
Beyond financial support, there are numerous leadership opportunities. Do you remember the senior tutors I mentioned earlier? After your first year, you can also apply for this position and help new students get settled in Japan. Furthermore, there are many teaching assistant (TA) roles you can apply for. I worked not only as an international student tutor, but also as an ASPIRE League TA, a student ambassador, and a video editor for the Institute’s online course on edX (visit our website here!).
There are also many student organizations which frequently hold events for international students. You may want to look into the Science Tokyo International Student Association (S-TISA) if you want to try organizing an event, or if you simply want to join fun activities, enjoy cultural exchange, and make more international friends. I was a member of the Thai Science Tokyo student group and during the annual “Kodaisai” festival held on Ookayama Campus, where students hold events and set up booths, we ran a booth selling Thai food.
Off-campus and extracurricular activities
Field trips are occasionally organized as part of courses or research. GSEP organizes an overnight field trip each year to various museums or industrial sites of Japanese companies. In 2023, I went to Ibaraki and visited the JR Omiya General Rolling Stock Center, Canon Eco Technology Park, Tsukuba Space Center, and Asahi Printech. It was fascinating to see large-scale industrial operations and learn about their role in society.
In my third year, I joined the Traditional Technology and Intercultural Collaboration course, where we visited a blacksmith in Chiba to observe Japanese sword-making. I was also invited to JFE Steel to compare traditional and modern steel purification techniques. Outside of class, I participated in exchange events with Japanese students and took trips to the Izu peninsula with the Shinano Ikueikai organization and to an English camp in Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture. Our Institute has strong ties with local organizations which support international collaboration, so you can find lots of information about opportunities to connect with the community.
My Japanese learning experience
I arrived in Japan with a very little knowledge of Japanese. Even simple tasks like shopping or going to the barber felt difficult. However, by the end of my fourth year, I had passed the most advanced “N1” level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and was able to communicate with my lab members and handle tasks in Japanese in my TA position.
I learned the fundamentals of Japanese in class. The compulsory Japanese classes for GSEP are very beginner-friendly, but offer opportunities to progress early to more advanced levels in subsequent years. However, I improved the most through hands-on experiences. My hobby is travelling: I visited 38 out of the 47 prefectures in Japan! This required a crazy amount of trip planning. By searching information on Japanese websites and making reservations, I ended up with a greatly expanded vocabulary.
I also work part-time. My first job was as a waiter in a Thai restaurant. Although many of the staff were Thai, speaking with customers helped me practice conversational Japanese. Later, I interned at Ebarashoji as a sales engineer and worked as an event interpreter for Thai organizations. These roles expanded my business vocabulary and professional communication skills. Nevertheless, I still had to read a lot of books and practice for the JLPT exam. Luckily, there are mock tests to take and Nihongo space to practice speaking with Japanese students.
Although Japanese is not mandatory for GSEP, they are many opportunities to improve your language skills and it can make your life much more enjoyable in Japan. Moreover, it is very beneficial if you are considering pursuing higher education or a career in Japan.
From now on …
I hope you enjoyed reading about my four-year journey, and that this blog provided some helpful insights if you are considering joining GSEP. This marks the end of both this blog and my role as a student ambassador. However, my journey at Science Tokyo is not over yet—I will continue into the master’s program next spring. Goodbye for now, and hope to see you again!
