Laboratory Life ②: Classes, Seminars (ゼミ), and Publications - From Zero to a Japanese Thesis

This article is part of theCh3: Life in a Research Laboratory"Part 2 of the series

Academics and Socialization

• ①Welcome to the New Student Training and Research Laboratory
• ②Classes, ゼミ and Club Presentations ← Current Location

Leisure & Entertainment

• ③Fuji-Q Highland Day Trip
• ④Tamagawa Hanabi Dai
• ⑤Fukuoka Driving Tour

Social Culture

• (6) BBQ under the Cherry Blossom Tree
• (7) Architecture Department Basketball Tournament Incident
• (8) Rituals of the New Year's Eve Party and Drinking Party

Highlights of this article

• Three types of classes at TUT: Japanese classes, English classes, and real experiences in major courses.
• Seminar (ゼミ) operation and paper presentation skills
• Preparation process and practical experience for the presentation of the AIJ (Architectural Institute of Japan)
• From "Isuzu" to "Japanese Paper Publishing"
• Practical Tips and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Guided Reading and Reading Suggestions

This article chronicles my academic growth during my year at TUT. If you are going to Japan to study for a master's degree or participate in an exchange program, this article will help you:

✅ Learn about the types of classes and learning styles at Japanese universities.(Japanese Classes, English Classes, Major Classes)
✅ Mastering the operation mode of the seminar (ゼミ)(How to prepare a report, how to deal with the supervising professor)
✅ The complete process of learning to publish(from paper writing to presentation)
✅ Overcoming Language Barriers(Practical experience from zero base to Japanese thesis)

It is recommended to read the Quick Checklist first, then complete it step-by-step according to the schedule, and finally refer to the FAQ to solve the frequently asked questions.

---

Quick Checklist (required before the start of the semester)

• 📋 Preparing for Class Selection 
  • Confirmation of credit requirements (exchange students are usually required to complete 10-20 credits)
  •  Understanding how the course selection system operates (T2SCHOLA)
  •  Take the Japanese Placement Test (if you need to take a Japanese class)
  •  Discuss course selection with the instructor
  •  Confirmation of seminar (ゼミ) time (usually 1-2 times per week)
• 📋 Must Do Items in the Semester
  •  Prepare for self-introduction (1-3 minutes each in Japanese and English)
  •  Understanding the override mode of operation and reporting frequency
  •  If you have a presentation plan, discuss it with your supervising professor in advance (at least 3 months in advance).
  •  Prepare thesis writing tools (Word, Matlab, etc.)
  •  Creating a note-taking system for reading papers (organizing good sentences, monikers)
• 📋 Preparation for the Academy Presentation (if applicable)
  •  Confirmation of the Institute's submission deadline (usually 2-3 months in advance)
  •  Writing abstracts of papers (Japanese or English)
  •  Production of presentation slides (about 15-20 pages for a 12-minute report)
  •  At least 3 rehearsals (timed, corrected, rehearsed)
  •  Prepare Q&A responses (anticipate questions that may be asked)
  •  Confirmation of attire (formal suits)

---

Three Classroom Experiences

Although I was an exchange student participating in the ACAP program, I took some professional courses taught in Japanese (e.g., Structural Dynamics of Buildings) and took additional Japanese courses on my own to accelerate the improvement of my Japanese skills, and I also wrote my graduation thesis at the suggestion of my teacher.

📚 Class Type 1: Japanese Language Classes

Why do you recommend Japanese language classes at TIT?

In my personal opinion, the Japanese language program at EIT is highly recommended. The school system is based on Japanese Language Proficiency Test(JLPT), assesses the need for Japanese language proficiency for foreign students, and arranges appropriate and challenging courses.

My Learning Path::

• Pre-academic: Isuzu and basic grammar only (N5 level)
• 3 months after coming to Japan: Pass N2 level exams
• Advancement Program: Enter a more advanced Japanese course to learn diction and intonation.

Course Content and Materials

The Japanese lessons are very practical and covered:

Course Type	Content	Applicable to
Basic Japanese	Fifty notes, basic grammar, everyday conversation	N5-N4 Level
Intermediate Japanese	Reading Comprehension, Listening Training, Essay Writing Practice	N3-N2 Level
Advanced Japanese	Presentation phrases, intonation training, use of honorifics	N2-N1 Level
Academic Japanese	Essay Writing, Research Paper, Professional Terminology	N1 or above or graduate student

The textbooks I use

The following is the textbook that I used in my Japanese class at the University of East Science and Technology for reference:

Textbook Name	Applicability	distinctiveness
Intermediate	N3-N2	Covers grammar, speaking and listening, suitable for all-round learning.
Nihongo Sotomatome N2聴解	N2	Specialized in hearing training, with lots of practice questions.
Pre-Intermediate Japanese General Training by Topic	N3-N2	Theme-based learning to strengthen reading and writing

You can purchase the study book from the following link:

💡 Learning Tips::

• At least 1 hour per day: Continuous learning is more effective than learning a lot at once.
• Making Good Use of Research Office Resources: Ask for your help in correcting essays and practicing conversations.
• Language Exchange: Practicing Chinese and Japanese with Japanese students.
• Learn Japanese by watching Japanese dramasRecommendations: "Legal High", "Naoki Hanzawa", etc.

🌐 Class Type 2: English Classes

Why learn English in Japan?

Maybe some people will laugh at me:

"How can anyone learn English in Japan? It's ridiculous."
"Japanese people don't speak English anymore. Do you want to go there to learn Japanese English?"

At first, I was skeptical, but I thought that in the future I might need to publish in English or write papers in English for international journals. I had never written a paper in Taiwan, so I decided to go through the classroom first.

I didn't realize that my attempts had turned my impression of Japanese English lessons upside down.

Two English Classes That Changed Me

Course 1: Academic Writing

Lecturer: Foreign male lecturers (native English speakers)
Course Duration: One semester (approximately 15 weeks)
Course Content::

• Complete structure of the paper from Abstract to Conclusion
• How to cite literature (APA, IEEE format)
• How to write a research methodology (Methodology)
• How to Present Data and Charts

The most touching partThe lecturer was willing to take the time to correct my entire thesis, giving me sentence-by-sentence corrections and comments. This kind of attention is rarely seen in English classes in Taiwanese universities.

💡 Learning ExperienceThis course has taught me how to write academic papers in English, which is very helpful for applying to graduate schools and submitting articles to international journals.

Course 2: English Presentation Course (Presentation Skills)

Lecturer: Returned female lecturer (Japanese, but received her doctorate in the U.S.)
Course Duration: One semester (approximately 15 weeks)
Course Content::

• How to Design a Powerful Slide Show
• How to Control the Pace and Timing of Publishing
• How to deal with Q&A
• Group Discussion and Mutual Evaluation

The best part.She's the type. Simple, powerful and to-the-point presentation I was amazed and it had a great impact on the way I delivered my speech or presentation in the future. In addition, she also has group discussion activities, so that the lessons are not rigid and you can learn through laughter.

Since the number of students is small (about 10-15), she takes special care in each student, which is my ideal English class for university.

💡 Publishing Tips::

• The first 30 seconds are the most important.: Capture the audience's attention with a question or statistic
• Only 1 key point per slide page: don't stuff too many words
• Practice until you can close your eyes and say.: At least 3 rehearsals
• Prepare Q&A Response: Think about the questions you might be asked and prepare your answers.

---

🏗️ CLASS TYPE 3: MAJORS (PROFESSIONAL CLASSES)

Besides the Japanese and English courses, the most important course is my major. Even though I was an exchange student, I took most of the required courses for my Master's Degree with my fellow researchers, such as:

• Structural Dynamics(Structural Dynamics)
• Vibration control and isolation(Seismic Control & Isolation)
• Structural Design(Structural Design)

The Importance of Program Language

In the process, I found that most of the assignments were related to the Programming Language Related. Therefore, if you know some programming languages (e.g. Python, Matlab, Fortran) before you come to Japan, you can really reduce your academic burden.

Memorable assignment: Hysteresis Loop

One of the assignments that's been giving me a headache for a long time is Production of Plastic Circle DiagramsThis task is programmed in Matlab. This task involves writing a program in Matlab to simulate the repetitive loading behavior of the structure under seismic forces.

Difficulties encountered::

• I don't know Matlab syntax.
• I don't understand structural mechanics.
• I don't know where to start.

Solution::
Fortunately, I met a very capable person in the classroom. Dr. TaiwanAfter several discussions, we finally managed to run the graph in Matlab. After several discussions, we finally managed to run the graph in Matlab and accomplish something that even the people in our lab couldn't do.

💡 Learning Experience: Don't be afraid to ask for help when you are in trouble. Japanese laboratory culture encourages mutual help, and older students are usually very willing to guide you.

In retrospect, I am really grateful to that senior for his help. It also made me realize thatCross-Research Laboratory Communication and Collaboration It is a very important part of a research career.

---

Seminars (ゼミ) - Core Activities of the Laboratory

Perhaps in Japanese research laboratories, one often hears Japanese people say:

"I'm sorry, but I have to leave now."

Or say:

"We're screwed. We don't have the data for Zim ready yet..."

I was so dumbfounded that I didn't know what they were talking about, so what exactly is "ゼミ"?

📖 What is ゼミ?

Overwhelming(ゼミナール, Japanese abbreviation of Seminar) refers to the mode of learning in universities and other institutions of higher education in which a small number of students conduct in-depth research or discussion on a specific topic under the guidance of a professor or lecturer. In Japanese, it is also called "research association" or "SeminarThe main features of "ゼミ" are as follows The main features of Zemi are as follows:

Features	Description
small class size	Usually consists of 5-20 students to facilitate in-depth discussion.
Topic in-depth exploration	Conduct in-depth research on specific research topics through literature surveys, experiments, etc.
Active Learning	Students take the initiative to advance their learning and develop independent thinking through presentations and discussions.
Close relationship with professors	Professors can provide detailed guidance to individual students' learning progress and problems.

To put it simply, ゼミ is a kind of ゼミ similar to Taiwan's ゼミ. Seminars maybe book club The activities of the program are organized in a variety of ways, depending on the professor's area of expertise and research topic. There are many different types of activities, depending on the professor's area of specialization and research topic. Below is a brief comparison of the differences between ゼミ and regular classes:

Project	General Classes (Teaching)	Overtime (seminar)
Number of persons	30-100 persons	5-20 persons
formality	Teaching one-way lectures	Student Report + Discussion
Interactive	less	Frequent and in-depth
Scoring	Examinations or assignments	Report Performance + Discussion Engagement
Time	Fixed (1-2 times per week)	Fixed but flexible

🏫 Sato Laboratory's ゼミ

There are two types of ゼミ in the Sato Research Laboratory:

Type 1: Book Club Zemi

goal: Fundamentals of Learning and Skills

Mode of Operation::

• Read books on vibration science together, assign specific chapters to presentations, and take turns presenting each week.
• The other is programming and software learning, such as Fortran95,ANSYS,Matlab

My Experience::
Since I need to use Fortran95 to write structural analysis programs, I joined the Fortran95 ゼミ. Every week the instructor teaches new syntax and examples, and we need to finish our work and report back at the next ゼミ.

The following are my notes (handwritten and dense) from when I was desperately trying to learn and understand Fortran95 syntax:

💡 Learning ExperienceI think I'm not smart enough, plus my senior's original code is related to Simulink, so I chose to use it. Matlab to complete my research. This also reminds me:Choosing the right tool for you is more important than following blindly.The

Type 2: Teacher's Discussion ゼミ

goal: tracking research progress and solving research problems

Mode of Operation::

• The professor points out each student's research question and confirms the progress of the research.
• Patiently correcting mistakes and adding new knowledge
• After each discussion, set a time for the next ゼミ.
• Mark the free time slots of teachers on the whiteboard so that students can ask questions whenever they have problems.

My Experience::
Since Mr. Honda and I are co-researchers, he often accompanied me during the discussions to make them go more smoothly. Before every ゼミ, Mr. Honda would accompany me to rehearse and revise my weekly report word by word to make sure that my Japanese expression was correct and professional.

📝 My First ゼミ - The Experience of Being Faced with Reality

One Year Ago: The Professor's Question

I remember the first time I was ゼミ, the professor asked me:

"Do you want to write your paper in English or Japanese?"

At that time, while I was still thinking, Mr. Honda, the senior beside me, said:

"Now that we're in Japan, let's try using Japanese."

I said hesitantly:

"Seriously, I only know the Isuzu and basic grammar, and I haven't even passed the Japanese test yet..."

The schoolmaster added:

"In Japan, if you write an essay in Japanese, we can help you to correct the sentences accurately. On the other hand, if you write in English, we are not native speakers, so we can't say with confidence that the sentences are correct. Now that you are here, you should learn the best parts. I believe in your qualifications, there is no problem!

I was actually very skeptical at the time, but I blurted it out in that atmosphere:

"I've decided to write my thesis in Japanese! I'd appreciate your help!"

First Zemi: Corrected by Professor

I handed in my weekly Japanese newspaper with fear and trepidation and tried to express my research results in Japanese. The teacher said at the end of the class:

"This Japanese is too much like a schoolboy. No."

At that time, I thought to myself:

"Oh, shit. I guess I'm gonna get read to again..."

The teacher suddenly laughed:

"In Japan, because of the fixed sentence pattern, the term 'the world's writings are a big copy' is just a substitution of nouns. Come on, let's fix it."

Japanese Essay Writing Skills Taught to Me by My Professor

I didn't realize that my professor was slowly teaching me how to write Japanese essays:

skill	methodologies
Sentence Vocabulary	Read a lot of essays first, copy good sentences into your own notes, and then learn to revise them into your own sentences.
particular typeface	Font and figure sizes need to be corrected, adjusted according to the thesis requirements, and standardized.
Background knowledge	Read the relevant books and ask your teacher if you don't know anything.

On that day, they were so impressed with my lack of understanding. Knowledge of vibration-resistant construction Stop and give me a good lesson. That was the end of the three-hour seminar for three people.

It is very tiring but I have learned a lot. It is hard to squeeze two years into two months, but what I feel is the excitement of growth in a short period of time.

Assistance from Mr. Honda

As for Mr. Honda, every time I talked to a teacher's ゼミ, he would first let me rehearse with him, listening to my report while helping me to revise the weekly report word by word.

💡 Thank you.I could not have completed my Japanese thesis without Mr. Honda's patience and guidance. He is not only my senior, but also my mentor and friend.

💡 How to Prepare a Zero Report?

Based on my experience, the following are practical tips for preparing a ゼミ report:

1. Video production techniques (Japanese version)

skill	Description
Clear title	One key point per slide, with a strong and concise title.
Chart Priority	Presenting data in charts and graphs is easier to understand than words.
Font Uniformity	Japanese papers usually use "MS Meicho" or "MS ゴシック".
Simple color	Avoid too many colors, black, blue and red are recommended.
Literature Cited	Cite sources at the bottom of each page

2. Methods of reading and organizing literature

• Setting up a note-taking system: Organize with Evernote, Notion, or handwritten notes!
• copy a good sentence: When you see a good sentence pattern or a famous term, make a note of it immediately.
• Classification: Categorized by research topic (e.g., "shock-absorbing structures", "shock-absorbing devices")

3. Rehearsal and time control

• At least 3 rehearsalsThe first time I showed it to myself, the second time I showed it to my seniors, and the third time I showed it to my professor.
• Control Time: Usually the overtime report is 10-15 minutes, don't exceed the time limit.
• Videotape yourself: Record on cell phone to check speed of speech, posture, and eye contact.

4. Skills in responding to queries

• I don't understand.Don't pretend to understand, honestly say "すみません, もう一度勉強します"(I'm sorry, I'll study harder).
• Recording problemsRecord the professor's or senior's questions and answer them next time before you go over.
• Prior Preparation: Think about the questions you might be asked and prepare your answers.

---

Conference Presentation

In addition to research, it is also important to publish the results. Sato Laboratory regularly participates in two conferences per year. The Architectural Association(Architectural Institute of JapanShort Title AIJ):

1. National Architectural Association: Students from all over Japan will travel from all over the country to attend the designated venue.
2. Kanto Branch Architectural Society: mainly for students in the Kanto region

🌏 What is Society Publishing?

Published by the Society(Presentation) is the process of presenting one's research at an academic symposium and receiving questions and discussions from other scholars. It is a very important part of your research career because...:

• ✅ Presentation of research results: Let other scholars know about your research
• ✅ Undergoing Academic Examination: Identifying Research Blind Spots through Q&A
• ✅ Expansion of the human network: Meet professors and students from other schools
• ✅ Add value to your resume: The student's publication record can be written in CV.

🇯🇵 National Architectural Institute (AIJ) - Kyushu Fukuoka

Basic Information

• Time: August 2016
• Location: Kyushu University (Fukuoka)
• participant: I spoke with Mr. David
• Report Language: English
• Report Topics: Theory and application of seismicity

division of labor and cooperation

• Mr. David: Theoretical Framework of the report.
• mePractical Application

Research Grants

The Laboratory provides us with Full grant, included:

Project	Amount
Round trip ticket (Tokyo ⇔ Fukuoka)	Approx. 25,000 yen
Hotel fees (3 nights)	Approx. 30,000 yen
Daily meal subsidy	About 10,000 yen
Total	Approx. 65,000 yen

💡 Notes on Reimbursement: You will need to keep your round-trip ticket stubs, club participation tickets, and proof of lodging (on a school-specific form for the hotel to fill out) in order to receive reimbursement.

Day of publication

Even though it was hot, everyone was still dressed in suits Official entrance. After the presentation, you will change back into your casual clothes and join the celebration banquet.

What I've learned::

• I was very nervous about presenting in English for the first time at the Japan Society.
• But with Mr. David, it's a lot less stressful.
• A professor asked a question in Japanese during the Q&A session, but fortunately Prof. Sato helped to translate it.

🗼 Kanto Branch Architectural Institute (AIJ) - From Zero to Japanese Thesis

One year later: On the stage of the Kanto branch meeting

The March 2017 publication is actually my exchange year's study of culminate in a masterpieceThe whole thing is played out here.

A year from now, I'll be standing Japan Construction Association Kanto Branch Meeting On, publish your own Japanese ThesisI was able to present a 12-minute paper in Japanese, and honestly, I learned a lot from the hard work of practicing.

Post the day's challenge

After the announcement, a few teachers asked some questions, but in fact, my Japanese was not good enough at that time:

• I don't understand some of the Japanese.
• Some of the answers I got were incomplete.
• I can only say "今後も引き続き検討します" (I will continue to explore in the future) and end my session.

Acknowledgement from your senior sister

Even so, after the presentation, teachers and older siblings came up to me to talk about it:

"Your presentation was really great! (Prezente, this time on Suzurashii desu!)

I'm not going to get a hundred percent, but that's what keeps me motivated.Decided to continue graduate school in JapanThe

📋 Preparedness Checklist for Club Presentation

Based on my experience, here's a complete checklist for preparing for a club presentation:

1. thesis writing schedule (for example, published in March)

Time	assignments
December	Identify a research topic and begin a literature review
January	Complete research methodology and begin experimentation/simulation
Early February	Complete the first draft of the paper and submit it to the supervising professor for correction.
Mid-February	Revised according to the professor's comments and completed the final version
End of February	Contributing Institute (online submission)
Early March	Make a presentation slide and start the rehearsal.
Mid-March	Day of publication

2. Highlights of the slide show

• Pages: 12-minute report of about 15-20 pages
• font: Use "MS Ming Dynasty" or "MS ゴシック" in Japanese papers.
• Chart: Data is presented in graphs and charts, which are clearer than words.
• quote: cite sources at the bottom of each page

3. Q&A preparation skills

• Anticipation: List 5-10 questions you may be asked.
• Prepare Answer: Write a short answer (Japanese and English)
• I don't understand.If you really don't know what you're talking about, just say "すみません、今後も引き続き検討します".

4. Dress and Etiquette

• Clothing: Formal suits (black or dark blue for men and suits for women)
• bow: Bow 30-45 degrees at the beginning and end of the report.
• eye contact: Don't just look at the slide, look at the audience!
• Time ControlThe Japanese value punctuality very much, as it is strictly limited to 12 minutes.

🎓 The Value of Learning

Participating in the Society is not only a platform for presenting research results, but also an important opportunity to communicate with other schools and expand my network. Through these activities, I have learned:

• ✅ How to make a professional presentation in English and Japanese
• ✅ How to Handle Academic Challenges and Criticisms
• ✅ How to Stay Calm Under Stress
• ✅ How to network with other scholars

With the increase in the number of times, I have been able to confidently present myself on different international stages.

---

V. Growing from Zero to One

📈 Breakthroughs in Language Barriers

Initial frustration and self-doubt

• First time overtime"I was told I looked too much like an elementary school student in Japanese."
• First time reading an essayIt takes 2 hours to read a page, and I still can't understand it.
• First time writing a weekly newspaper."The red color of the river has been changed by my senior.

Help from seniors

• Mr. Honda.: Revise my Japanese weekly newspaper word for word
• Kida"It's okay, take your time," he said.
• Prof. SatoI was patiently taught how to read papers and write essays.

The Key to Continuous Improvement

• Read at least 1 paper a day: Accumulation of professional terminology
• Write at least 1 weekly newspaper: Practicing Japanese Writing
• At least 1 report per month: Overcoming Tension

Results

• 3 months later: Passed N2 test
• 6 months later: I can write the weekly newspaper in Japanese (though it needs to be revised).
• 12 months later: Can publish papers in Japanese

🎯 Academic competence enhancement

Changes in the speed of reading thesis

• beginning period: 1 page 2 hours
• 3 months later: 1 page 30 minutes
• 6 months later: 1 page, 10 minutes
• 12 months later: 1 paper (10 pages) about 1-2 hours

Growing Writing Skills

• beginning period: It takes 3 hours to write a 1-page weekly report, Man Jiang Hong.
• 3 months later: It takes 1.5 hours to write a 1-page weekly report, with fewer revisions.
• 6 months later: 1 hour to write a 1-page weekly report, with little or no revisions
• 12 months later: Completion of a 30-page Japanese thesis

Cultivation of critical thinking

Through the ゼミ and will publish, I will learn:

• Questioning Assumptions: Do not blindly trust the literature, but test the evidence.
• Logical Reasoning: research conclusions must be supported by sufficient evidence
• Acceptance of criticismCriticism as an Opportunity to Improve

---

Conclusion

This year's academic training has helped me grow from a student who "only knows the Isuzumi alphabet" to a researcher who is able to write papers in Japanese and publish them in academic journals. The process was full of challenges and frustrations, but also full of achievements and emotions.

If you are going to Japan to study for a master's degree or participate in an exchange program, I hope this article will help you understand more about Japanese academic culture and learning styles. Remember:Language barriers can be overcome, and academic skills can be cultivated. The key is to remain humble, take the initiative to learn, and have the courage to take on challenges.The

In the next post, I will share my leisure life in Tohoku University: the world-class roller coaster challenge at Fuji-Q Highland, the romantic fireworks at the Tamagawa River Fireworks Festival, and a small driving trip to Fukuoka. Please look forward to it!

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Readers

---

Related Resources

• Nihongo Talking Room ILA Japanese Language Center
• Student Support Center - Institute of Science Tokyo
• 2016 General Meeting of the Architectural Society of Japan [Kyushu]
• (Kanto Branch Information) FY2017 (88th)

---

Read Next

Let's go, let's read the next one!

Want a little refresher on the last one?

Or go back to the EP1 catalog for a different story?

---