Title might be too overdramatic, but let me elaborate:
Studying in Japan has been my life goal for a very long time now. A lot in my life has changed (positively) since that dream popped up in my head and I wanted to make myself proud and follow that dream.
Im from an upper class family in Central Europe. My dad is a university professor (statistics/math) and was a professor at an ivy in the us, and I developed an interest very early on for mathematics and got quite good at it. Naturally my family thought I’d go on to study in these top universities, and I will apply for them, but they aren’t my main goal. I want to study fundamental mathematics at either Waseda or Nagoya in an English program and then go on into academics.
So here’s my question: as someone who’s pretty gifted in maths (I don’t want to brag here just trying to make my point) and could probably get into top universities around the world, will an undergrad at these universities in Japan have a big negative impact on my future. I can’t know where I’ll want to do a masters yet, but if it turns out to be outside of Japan, like US or Europe, I don’t want my degree in Japan to ruin my chances. Would love whatever inside information y’all could give me.
Tldr: will a stem uundergrad in Japan have a negative impact on a fairly smart kid‘s chances at continuing to study in the West?
Thanks a lot in advance
10 comments
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
—
**Will an undergrad in Japan possibly ruin my future?**
Title might be too overdramatic, but let me elaborate:
Studying in Japan has been my life goal for a very long time now. A lot in my life has changed (positively) since that dream popped up in my head and I wanted to make myself proud and follow that dream.
Im from an upper class family in Central Europe. My dad is a university professor (statistics/math) and was a professor at an ivy in the us, and I developed an interest very early on for mathematics and got quite good at it. Naturally my family thought I’d go on to study in these top universities, and I will apply for them, but they aren’t my main goal. I want to study fundamental mathematics at either Waseda or Nagoya in an English program and then go on into academics.
So here’s my question: as someone who’s pretty gifted in maths (I don’t want to brag here just trying to make my point) and could probably get into top universities around the world, will an undergrad at these universities in Japan have a big negative impact on my future. I can’t know where I’ll want to do a masters yet, but if it turns out to be outside of Japan, like US or Europe, I don’t want my degree in Japan to ruin my chances. Would love whatever inside information y’all could give me.
Tldr: will a stem uundergrad in Japan have a negative impact on a fairly smart kid‘s chances at continuing to study in the West?
Thanks a lot in advance
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/movingtojapan) if you have any questions or concerns.*
So you don’t want to work in japan, just study? Then I’d just study at a US or EU university and do a study abroad semester in Japan. If you care about the prestige of unversities 東京大学 is a good one.
No, a degree from Japan will not ruin your chances completely, but it’s a pretty bad option (especially English programs because they aren’t viewed as rigorous in Japan) if you aren’t going to live your life in Japan in the long term. If you want to just experience Japan for a few years in your twenties, you can always do your best in getting into a good school in EU/USA, then get a masters in Japan, since your school’s reputation for a master’s degree isn’t AS important as your undergrad, generally speaking for most subjects.
Please correct me if I’m wrong about the master’s for math in particular because I’m not 100% sure about that. Regardless I’m sure that your undergrad reputation is a lot more important than your master’s.
If your plan is to stay in academia an Ivy is going to be much better than a Japanese school, as the connections and alumni associations will be invaluable
I did an undergrad in Japan and went to grad school in the US (Note: I am Japanese), also in math. IMO, a Japanese undergrad alone does not hinder your chance of acceptance.
However, the problem for me was research experience. Unlike the US, where there are plenty of research opportunities like REU or UROP, I didn’t get any research experience while my undergrad. Some math programs don’t even require a senior thesis, and mine was one of them.
I believe this hindered my chance of getting into better schools. I’m content with the school I’m in, though.
This wouldn’t be a problem if you go to a grad school in Japan since the entrance exam determines everything, but if you want to move out, you might have to actively look for research opportunities while undergrad or stay until your master’s and then move out. Doing masters in Japan and then studying abroad is pretty standard among Japanese people doing Ph.D. abroad.
If you are extremely smart (thinking about IMO gold), then it does not matter much.
Otherwise, go to top US (or French/EU) school with good math department. You can do exchange program for Japan during your undergrad.
Maybe we can talk about this
not ruin but definitely delay
“I want to get into academics.” Your undergrad choice isn’t the biggest deal really as long as you stick to Tier 1 universities. Going to Nagoya or Waseda isn’t going to ruin jack shit. The biggest factor you are missing is the connections you could make.
Nothing is going to ruin your life. I mean people at the University of Kagoshima have published major math papers …
Don’t do your undergrad in Japan.