I’m looking into applying to Sophia University’s MA Global Studies (Japanese Studies) for autumn 2024. I’m wondering if there’s anyone here who studied at this program and can give some advice or information about it.
I graduated my BA from a performing arts university in the Czech Republic. My final grade was a B (my final theatre performance was a B, my thesis was a B, the state exams was an A — this is all listed on my official transcript). However, my major doesn’t have anything to do with Japan or Japanese Studies. It’s purely performing arts, however, my thesis was about anime in the performing arts and how I used anime to inspire my own personal projects. (Yes, I enjoy anime as a storytelling medium and art form. No, I don’t think Japan is “anime land” and I’m not expecting Japan to be “all anime”. I want to go to Japan for a Master’s to live there for a couple years, and honestly, I doubt I would stay longer, not just because of finding visa sponsorship but because of the work culture and other social issues.)
I have reasons for choosing this program. I’d like to learn more about Japanese history, culture, and storytelling (no, not necessarily anime — I’m interested in how Japanese literature or theatre plays can reflect on topics in Japanese social culture, historical time periods, etc). And, of course, I’d like to learn some of the language. It’s not just to “get a Masters”, I really would like to learn more about Japan and explore the country’s culture.
I’ve been seeing on here that Sophia is very selective, and to be honest, I’m intimidated by the research proposal. I know what I might want to focus on — social and historical commentaries in selected works of Japanese fiction. But, I fear that it isn’t “good enough” and that my BA background isn’t, so to say, “academic enough” to get into Sophia. Or that my interest in anime would get me rejected. Unfortunately, even if I don’t talk about anime in my essay, I have to submit my Bachelor’s Thesis which is entirely based on anime in the performing arts.
Does anyone have advice on how to approach applying to Sophia? Has anyone gone to their Japanese Studies program and can give some insight? Or, does anyone know of similar MA programs in Japan? I know there’s a Japan in Asia Studies in Nagoya, but their application deadline is really early and I’m afraid I won’t be able to get everything to them in time.
There’s also another thing that’s strange about Japanese universities — they ask for the original copy of your diploma to be sent from your undergraduate school? Has anyone got experience with this? I asked about this at my old uni and they don’t send diplomas or transcripts, only some kind of confirmation of graduation.
by dosti-kun