Dr. Like An, Graduate PhD student (Department of Geophysics), now a postdoctoral researcher in Hokkaido University

Date of Interview: June, 2025

Before Coming to Kyoto University
I grew up in Sichuan, China. The experience of the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake first sparked my interest in earthquakes. Despite my interest, my opportunities were limited during my undergraduate and master’s studies. Nonetheless, I remained determined to pursue my passion. When I was fortunate to be admitted to the Ph.D. program in seismology at Kyoto University under the supervision of Prof. Bogdan Enescu, I was excited and nervous. Having my background mainly in Geology, I was expecting my Ph.D. to be challenging, but I was also looking forward to such a challenge, and also looking forward to the beauty of Kyoto city.

Life at Kyoto University

-What were the biggest challenges you met?
During the three years I spent at Kyoto University, there were two major hardships I had to overcome. The first was the challenge of publishing my first paper in a peer-reviewed journal, which is a crucial milestone for all researchers. The second was revising my thesis to meet the graduation requirement, which was another significant milestone.

-What did you work on to overcome the challenges?
The solution to both challenges is time. To overcome the challenges, I was committed to spending more time every day and every week. But I also learned that balance was the key. Being a workaholic wasn’t the right thing for me. Thus, I took breaks when I needed them.

-What did you enjoy the most during your time at Kyoto University?
Despite the challenges, there were various things I enjoyed equally during my time at Kyoto University. The most rewarding and exciting moments were when I had research breakthroughs. Apart from research, I enjoyed playing soccer and chatting about topics from culture, politics, to animals, plants with colleagues and faculty.

-Research at Kyoto University
Kyoto University is known for its “Freedom of Academic Culture”, which is something I truly appreciate. Such a principle allowed me to explore my research at my own pace. Whenever I need guidance or support, I knew my supervisors, collaborators, and the whole university will be there.

What did you do after graduating from Kyoto University?
During my 3rd year, I was sure that I wouldn’t want to leave the research world behind, therefore, I applied for postdoctoral positions. Currently, I’m continuing my academic journey as a postdoctoral fellow at Hokkaido University, furthering my passion for earthquake research.

Message for Future International Students
Studying abroad is one of the most memorable and beneficial experiences of my life. There surely will be ups and downs, but eventually everything will fall into place. The ups will become our cherished memories and the downs will help shape us into stronger people. So please make the best use of every opportunity, embrace the challenges, and don’t forget that every step you take is a part of a longer journey.