RasyaI’m back in Japan for my PhD! Here’s my 2024 recap. Wishing the best year in 2025 too!
p/s: I wanted to post this on early January this year but December it also okay lah. Right?
January
Took JLPT N1 again after 9 years (because my supervisor requested it) and of course I passed. *flipped hijab*
It feels weird that in Japan, I only get a measly small certificate indicating I passed but in Malaysia or any other countries outside Japan, we received a proper certificate.
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RasyaFebruary
So in April 2023, I applied to MEXT Postgraduate Scholarship and the whole process is so looooong. It took a year for the final result to be announced, and in early February 2024 finally the result is out! And I passed! I’m going to be back in Japan! Yay!
We also had a dinner celebration and got a huge certificate. The dinner is not bad, but I feel like bazar Ramadan food tastes better.
p/s: If you want to apply for MEXT scholarship, have a look at my MEXT scholarship guide below.
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March
Spent my last time in Malaysia, applying for visa, renew passport, eat tonnes of good food and visiting one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia, Masjid Sendayan.
April – Back in Japan!
A season of spring. New challenge. New school. New future.
I took MAS Airline for a direct flight to Osaka and the in flight meal was a bit disappointing. The fishy smell is too strong. I regretted my choice of seafood meal option.
Anyway, I’m so thankful that my university has a halal food option at the cafeteria and convenience store.
May to September
First semester as a research student is done! Ate lots of food, cooked my favourite Laksa (of course as simple as I can because you cannot get all the ingredients here.
BUT! I’ve tasted so many ramens. Multiple time too in a month because I live in Osaka and Namba is like 40 minutes by train, so I may post a halal ramen review in Japan soon *wink*.
October to February 2025
Started a new fall semester with lots of stress due to the PhD entrance exam. But I did enjoy viewing kokia moss in autumn. They looked so soft, like a cotton candy!
Then, I went to Nagano and Shirakawago during the winter break.
Traditional house with a very comfortable futon.
Obviously, as a student, I’ve to do my part as one, and I did buy quite a lot of books. Some of them are cheap as they’re second hand.
And then boom! The PhD entrance exam. At the age of late 20s, never have I thought of taking an exam again that safe to say going to decide my future. Whether I can continue my study here or not. All foreign students are required to answer in Japanese. RIP Kanji.
While waiting for the result, I decided to go to Shanghai LOL for a trip because I mean, hey! If I’m going to fail, at least I can cry while eating tasty Chinese food in China.
The photos are ehem quite bad, but you’ve to understand why I’m going to China in the first place. It’s for the food and vibe.
Finally, the announcement day has arrived.
Guess whether I pass or not?
I PASS! Alhamdulillah.
Anyway, see you guys in the next post! And wish me luck for my PhD!
