| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Master’s in Computer and Information Systems, The University of Aizu |
| COMPANY |
| A Japan-based semiconductor company and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of flash memory and solid-state storage solutions. |
| SUMMARY |
| After developing an interest in Japan through a workshop, this Indian student pursued her passion for computer science and artificial intelligence by enrolling in a master’s program in Japan. In this story, she shares the challenges of being an international student, such as communicating with limited Japanese and balancing research with part-time work and internships. With support from FAST OFFER, she started job hunting and ultimately secured a job offer as a NAND System Evaluation Engineer. Her story is proof that international students can successfully build a career in Japan. |
Coming to Japan as an International Student
I’ve always known that getting work in Japan’s IT sector after finishing my master’s degree wouldn’t be easy. But one thing I would tell you is that it’s worth it! From adapting to life as an international student to balancing my master’s research with part-time work and an internship, every challenge became part of my journey.
Ever since I attended a workshop about Japan in high school, I’ve been intrigued by what it’s like to live and work in Japan. As someone in IT, I was also excited about the idea of joining Japan’s IT industry since it’s considered one of the best. I finally took a step toward making this dream come true when I enrolled in a master’s degree at The University of Aizu.
How I Improved My Japanese as an International Student in Japan
I came to Japan in the spring of 2025 with limited Japanese. Right away, I realized that my N5-level Japanese isn’t enough for me to truly assimilate. I had studied Japanese through textbooks and online resources before coming to Japan. I knew vocabulary and grammar, but actually speaking to people and understanding conversations was another level that I couldn’t crack when I first arrived.
However, I gradually improved by listening to Japanese people talk to each other and picking up phrases that I heard in everyday situations. Over time, I became more comfortable communicating. Here are some of the things I did to continue improving my Japanese:
- Dedicated a specific time every day to learn Japanese. To prepare before coming to Japan, I studied on my own using books and YouTube videos. I dedicated at least one hour a day to Japanese, although on some days, I studied for three or four hours. After around two to three months of self-study, I passed the JLPT N5. Some resources I used are the Minna no Nihongo textbook, the Nihongo Sou Matome textbook, and the Nihongo No Mori YouTube channel.
- Focused more on practical speaking. After arriving in Japan in March 2025, I became busy with my master’s program and part-time work. Later, I also moved to Tokyo for an internship. Because of these commitments, I was not always able to take the JLPT exams I had planned for. At one point, the exam slots for the level I wanted to take were already full. Instead of waiting and doing nothing, I decided to focus more on practical speaking.
My Experience as an International Student in Japan: On Cultural Differences, Being a Vegetarian, What I Love About Living Here
Adjusting to the weather
One of my first challenges was the cold weather. Back home in India, where I lived, the weather was generally hot and humid. When I arrived in Japan in spring, it was much colder than I was used to. I even got sick shortly after arriving. But now, I love and appreciate the change in scenery that comes with the seasons.
Cultural difference between India and Japan
One cultural difference that stood out to me when I first arrived in Japan is the way people interact with each other. In my experience, people in India were more talkative, and it was common for people to speak openly with each other. In Japan, I initially found people to be quieter and less likely to start conversations. Since I was also not fluent in Japanese at the time, this made the difference feel even more noticeable. But now that my spoken Japanese is better, I can participate in more conversations. Learning conversational Japanese is really important!
Being a vegetarian in Japan
Food was another adjustment. As a vegetarian, I found that I had to cook most of my meals at home and could not always depend on restaurants. I also found vegetables to be expensive, which made managing my meals another part of adjusting to daily life in Japan.
What I love about living in Japan
Despite these challenges, I gradually became more comfortable with life in Japan. One thing I particularly enjoy is the convenience and sense of freedom I feel in daily life. I love being able to go to a convenience store even late at night. I also enjoy exploring Japan’s castles and shrines and trying the desserts here.
Living in Aizu has also shaped my experience differently from visiting a bigger city like Tokyo. Aizu feels quieter to me, with fewer places to go, so I often visit shrines and Tsuruga Castle in Aizuwakamatsu. On the other hand, during my internship in Tokyo, I enjoyed having many more places to explore. Tokyo left a strong impression on me, and I found the city beautiful and lively. I also enjoyed visiting Yokohama, especially the Minato Mirai area and the port side.
Working Part-Time and Doing an Internship While Studying in Japan
While pursuing my master’s degree, I looked for a part-time job to help support myself. I worked part-time as a software developer, mainly focusing on back-end development. It was my first opportunity to experience a professional office environment in Japan and learn how Japanese workplaces operate.
I learned the importance of arriving early, managing responsibilities, and communicating clearly with team members. We had daily morning meetings where we discussed our tasks for the day, as well as weekly meetings where we reported our progress. I also had the opportunity to interact with full-time employees and receive tasks directly from them.
Later, I also completed an internship in Tokyo. The internship was conducted mainly in English, so my Japanese language skills were not a major requirement. My work involved testing APIs, analyzing responses, and reporting my findings to my team. At first, understanding the company’s codebase was challenging. However, as time passed, I became more familiar with the work and was able to contribute to the team.
These experiences helped me develop practical workplace skills fit for the Japanese work culture. I felt ready to go job hunting!
The Challenges of Job Hunting in Japan With Limited Japanese
As graduation approached, I began thinking seriously about how to work in Japan after my master’s degree. However, even with my experience and educational background, I had a difficult time securing a job on my own as a foreigner.
My beginner Japanese level made the process difficult. I was rejected by several companies during document screening. With some companies, I was only able to progress to casual interviews. That was frustrating!
I knew I had the technical background and experience in my field, but on paper, my JLPT level was still N5. Then, while searching online for job-hunting support for international students who wanted to work in Japan after completing a master’s degree, I came across FAST OFFER International. I checked whether the program supported international students (they do!) and decided to apply.
How FAST OFFER Helped Me Secure Work in Japan After My Master’s Degree
FAST OFFER connected me with career opportunities that I had struggled to find while job hunting on my own. Aside from that, they also assigned me a career advisor to coach me through the interview process.
My career advisor sent me examples of interview questions that I might be asked. True enough, during the actual interview, many of the questions were similar. Most of the interview questions focused on my research, which is about Japanese sign language recognition. I was asked why I chose certain methods and models and why I selected them instead of other options.
There were also personal questions. I was asked why I wanted to work in Japan and whether my family supported my decision to live here. My biggest advice for other international students who want to work in Japan after a master’s degree is to prepare specifically for the questions that are likely to come up in Japanese job interviews. Instead of only studying general interview advice, gather possible questions and practice answering them.
Staying Calm is Key When Encountering Challenges During a Job Interview
I had three interviews with three different departments over three continuous hours. The first interview went well. Then, during the second interview, my system crashed twice. I was nervous, but I tried to remain calm. I immediately returned to the call and even changed my laptop so I could continue. Then, during the third interview, my system crashed again. It was not what I had expected to happen on such an important day.
Still, I returned to the interview as quickly as possible and apologized. Fortunately, the third department selected me to continue. My final interview went smoothly, with no more technical problems.
Securing a Job Offer: Working in Japan After Completing My Master’s Degree
When I received the job offer, I was beyond happy! I had been applying to companies on my own and experiencing rejection. That made receiving this opportunity even more meaningful! Through FAST OFFER, I was given opportunities despite having only an N5 certification.
The position I secured is as a NAND System Evaluation Engineer. While the role is not the same as the AI developer positions I initially imagined, it is related to my technical background and gives me the opportunity to continue learning. That was important to me. I have always been open to learning new things, and I am looking forward to the training and experience I will receive in my new role.
Lessons You Can Learn from My Job-Hunting Journey as an International Student
- Japanese language is incredibly important when building a life and career in Japan. Even if you have strong technical knowledge, communication is still essential.
- Do not let your language limitations stop you from trying. I believe that you should not let your current JLPT level stop you from trying. My Japanese was far from perfect when I started job hunting. I had an N5 certification, and I struggled to communicate when I first arrived in Japan. But I continued practicing, gaining experience, and learning.
- The most important things were staying calm, remaining positive, and being willing to learn. Job hunting in Japan was not easy, and there were many moments when things did not go according to plan. From rejection during document screening to technical problems during an important interview, I faced several challenges.
- Your next opportunity might be closer than you think. For international students who are also hoping to work in Japan after a master’s degree, my journey is proof that your current situation does not have to define where you can go. Keep learning and preparing for every opportunity!
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