Life is full of choices, and sometimes a person may even need to decide between two equally good options. Knowing that there is no take two in life, Chong Shin Yit, 21, a Cambridge A Levels graduate from INTI College Nilai who completed the programme in 2018chose a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pursue his studies overseas.
Chong Shin Yit stands before the Clock Tower Centennial Hall at Kyoto University.
After Shin Yit completed his A Levels with remarkable results, he was offered to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering either with a local public university or at Kyoto University, Japan. He, of course, picked the option that excited him the most – the chance to live and learn in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Adding to his opportunity to study abroad, Shin Yit also received a scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Upon securing this scholarship, all of his tuition fees were waived, and he also received a monthly allowance throughout his period of study in Japan.
Presently in his second semester of Year Two for the International Course Programme of Civil Engineering, Shin Yit recalled how he was selected for this programme. The selection phase was split in two. Phase one was based on his academic performance in the A Levels’ examinations, where he clinched an A* (A-star) for Mathematics, A for Physics and Biology, and a B in Chemistry.
Additionally, he needed to demonstrate his English proficiency by meeting the university’s IELTS requirements. Fortunately, as an international student, there were no requirements for his proficiency in Japanese.
“I think my Japanese proficiency was close to zero before I arrived in Japan, and I did not know many Japanese words,” chuckled Shin Yit, who hailed from SMK Bukit Mewah, Seremban.
“The course is primarily being taught in English, so proficiency in Japanese is not really required,” he added. Phase two included a short interview session which tested Shin Yit’s knowledge in mathematics and sciences.
“I had to work very hard during my A Levels, but I am glad that my grades were sufficient for me to enrol in this prestigious university,” said the young man who hopes to start his own engineering firm in the future.
Chong Shin Yit (3rd from right in the 3rd row) poses with his classmates from the International Course Programme of Civil Engineering at Kyoto University during their former lecturer’s farewell party.
Acknowledging that A Levels widened his horizons and helped him realise his dream, Shin Yit elaborated, “Pursuing my A Levels helped me a lot as this internationally recognised programme allowed me to apply to any university across the world. I have always dreamt of meeting different people and experiencing new cultures in other countries. Completing my A Levels was a big stepping stone towards achieving that dream!”
Sharing on how he managed to secure a scholarship from MEXT, Shin Yit said, “It wasn’t really that hard. After requesting for a recommendation, all the procedures were handled by the university. Shortly after applying, I received news that I had got it! This scholarship has been very helpful financially because it not only waives my tuition fees and provides me with a monthly allowance, but also creates opportunities for me to meet other international students in Japan who are also a part of the scholarship programme. It has helped me meet bright minds from all over the world.”
Describing his life at Kyoto University, Shin Yit shared, “The academic experience is fun and stimulating. The class sizes are typically smaller because students from each department are split into smaller clusters or groups of about 20 to 30 people, depending on their faculty. The university has great facilities and equipment such as laboratories, libraries and seminar rooms.”
“The biggest culture shock for me was the abundance and scale of club activities in Japanese universities,” he further explained, sharing that while there are only a handful of official sports clubs or societies such as the soccer club, orchestra club, Aikido club and so on, there are also many smaller clubs!
According to Shin Yit, clubs that are smaller in scale are commonly named “circles” and provide a community for people of similar interests such as movie sharing, paragliding, gaming, Manga (a Japanese term for comics) and Anime appreciation or even just having an afternoon nap.
“You name it and they will have a club for it! I was so shocked when I discovered that there are at least 200 clubs and circles in Kyoto University alone!” exclaimed Shin Yit.
Living in the cultural capital of Japan, Shin Yit feels blessed as there are plenty of beautiful sceneries and tourist sports around Kyoto.
“I’ve had plenty of chances to visit the rest of Kyoto, and discovered that it is not only a good place for learning but also for living and experiencing Japanese culture. It is a very relaxing place. My friends and I often go to the river delta to relax and unwind. I like Japan very much because of the blend of traditional values and modern science. In many parts of Kyoto, there are temples and shrines, some of which have been built centuries ago and recently restored. Furthermore, the four seasons in Japan are really beautiful, with all sorts of sceneries to be seen,” Shin Yit said.
Sharing how he integrated with the local society, Shin Yit said, “It was very difficult to socialise with my Japanese classmates and friends at first because I was not fluent in Japanese and they could barely converse in English. After brushing up on my Japanese I can now understand and socialize with them much better.”
Having learned the language for one and a half years, Shin Yit’s Japanese proficiency has improved greatly. He can now speak, read and write Japanese at an advanced academic level.
“I plan to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Exams in 2021. During our third year, we get to intern at engineering companies in Japan. While some companies offer English support, I want to be able to communicate in Japanese well to fully integrate myself into the Japanese corporate world,” enthused Shin Yit who dreams big for his future.