MENUHan Jiao, 2nd year Ph.D. student, Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI)
Date of Interview: January, 2023
Before Coming to Kyoto University
Kyoto University in Japan has won the most Nobel Prizes in Asia and the most Fields Medals. Because Kyoto University has given birth to numerous geniuses and is internationally known as the "cradle of scientists,” it has always been my dream university. Kyoto University has a liberal academic style, which is also attractive. I was eventually awarded a Chinese government scholarship and became a Ph.D. student at the Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University.
Life at Kyoto University. I was at the Uji campus of Kyoto University. Although I was far from the city center, I could also easily go to some supermarkets or scenic spots for shopping or sightseeing due to the convenient Japanese transportation. And I passed the motorcycle license test to explore Kyoto on a motorcycle. It should be emphasized that Kyoto is beautiful! The lab's teachers and students are amiable and often discuss research problems together.
-What did you enjoy most during your time at Kyoto University?
Interesting research and ramen!
-What were the biggest challenges you met?
The biggest problem is still the research itself. The turbulence problem has plagued scientists for centuries and has been called the last puzzle of classical physics.
-What did you work on to overcome the challenges?
Read a large amount of literature to understand the basic system of turbulence research, and then start with some easily solved problems to complete the Ph.D. thesis little by little.
-How smooth was your experience adjusting to life in Kyoto?
I was worried that it would be challenging to communicate with my classmates because of the language issue. Still, I found out that most of my classmates are international students, and everyone speaks English well. There are a lot of Chinese characters in Japanese, so I can easily find my destination when traveling or shopping.
Life during COVID-19. I didn't feel the impact of COVID-19 on my life too much.
-What were the beneficial/challenging aspects of life during COVID-19?
I only need to use my computer to do my research, and I could even use my computer in the lab from home via remote control software.
Research at Kyoto University
My major is Earth and Planetary Sciences, with a specific research focus on turbulence. My supervisor, Professor Tetsuya Takemi, has been engaged in turbulence and CFD research for decades and has been a good guide for me. In urban areas, turbulence plays a vital role in the dispersion of pollutants. Many cities in China have serious pollution problems, so the research I have done is also of some relevance.
-What do you hope to do after graduating from Kyoto University?
Return to a university or research institution in China to continue my research.
Message for Future International Students
Kyoto University has a unique approach to training international students, and Kyoto itself is a very suitable place for international students to live and relax, so you will be glad to choose Kyoto University to study abroad.