Hi all,
I just submitted my application for the MEXT research student scholarship, and am planning to begin as a non-regular student prior to pursuing a masters related to neuroscience. I was wondering if anyone who has been in a lab over in Japan has any insights about the work/life balance as a student? Many of my coworkers here who talk about their PhD experience have described long hours in the labs, between 5-7 days a week. I’m wondering if this is similar in Japan? And is the time requirement the same over the summers as well? I’m hoping to at least have maybe half a day to a day of free time a week to try and experience Japan outside of lab work and was wondering how realistic that is. Appreciate any feedback!
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**Master’s Work/Life Balance**
Hi all,
I just submitted my application for the MEXT research student scholarship, and am planning to begin as a non-regular student prior to pursuing a masters related to neuroscience. I was wondering if anyone who has been in a lab over in Japan has any insights about the work/life balance as a student? Many of my coworkers here who talk about their PhD experience have described long hours in the labs, between 5-7 days a week. I’m wondering if this is similar in Japan? And is the time requirement the same over the summers as well? I’m hoping to at least have maybe half a day to a day of free time a week to try and experience Japan outside of lab work and was wondering how realistic that is. Appreciate any feedback!
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I studied Masters in Biochemistry in a graduate school in Tokyo for 2 years before getting a job here as a freshman. Yes, it is same here too in japan. You will experience the same thing here. Some of us managed to leave in the evening for part-time jobs but due to the workloads we still come back in the weekends. U will be surprised to see the lights still ON during midnights from the uni lab buildings. (Sleeping in the lab is very common those days) Once in a while, its fine to leave to walk around japan if u want. From my experience and talks i hear from other foreign students i dun think every week is possible to make ur desired trip outside japan unless u r a superman, everybody was so busy with their lab work and running around the uni’s lab.
*if u want to pursue a career in japan, the job hunting season is during the 1.5-2nd year (during my time it was that period, not sure how was it now) and u will lose 6 months time doing that.