SHUYANG ZHANG

Voices of International Students

Nov 09, 2026

Degree Program in Life and Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Technology

From China

What sparked your interest in this university?

Tsukuba first attracted me because of its strong culture of interdisciplinary research. While exploring graduate programs, I found laboratories and projects that combined microbiology with artificial intelligence—exactly the kind of environment I wanted. Since the rapid rise of large language models, I have been especially impressed by how quickly people around me have embraced new AI tools and ideas. Researchers here are open to learning from other fields and skilled at connecting emerging technologies with their own expertise. This willingness to cross disciplinary boundaries often leads to unexpected and fascinating research. I felt that the University of Tsukuba would offer both the freedom and the intellectual community I needed to develop my interests in microbiology, data science, and AI, while exploring new possibilities between these fields.

What aspects of Japanese culture or customs surprised you? How did you adapt to these differences?

One aspect of Japanese culture that surprised me was the highly structured approach to daily life. Although China and Japan share some cultural roots, many systems in Japan felt more formal and standardized than I was used to in China. At first, the detailed procedures for administrative matters were unfamiliar. However, I soon realized that once I understood the rules and followed the appropriate steps, things could be handled smoothly and efficiently. I adapted by observing people around me, asking questions, and learning the procedures for different situations. Over time, this helped me navigate daily life with confidence and made me more patient, organized, and attentive to detail. I now appreciate how shared respect for time, procedures, and responsibilities can make everyday interactions predictable and efficient.

What do you enjoy about Tsukuba?

One of the things I enjoy most about Tsukuba is the enthusiasm for sports and outdoor activities. Since coming here, I have had opportunities to take part in many activities, including skiing, tennis, and surfing. It is also easy to meet people who share these interests and find companions for a weekend trip, a practice session, or a new challenge. Tsukuba's open spaces and access to nature make an active lifestyle feel natural. These experiences have introduced me to communities beyond my laboratory and helped me build friendships with people from different backgrounds. Most importantly, sports give me a healthy balance between the intensity of doctoral research and my personal life, helping me return to my work with more energy, focus, and creativity.

What do you hope to achieve during your time here?

My first and most important goal is to complete my doctoral degree. Earning a PhD has long been a major personal goal because it represents not only academic achievement, but also the ability to pursue a difficult question independently and bring a long-term project to completion. Beyond research, I hope to learn about the cultures, perspectives, and research interests of people from different countries. Through exchanges with international students and researchers, I want to broaden both my scientific outlook and my understanding of the world. I also hope to contribute to the university community by sharing my experience and building connections among students. For me, Tsukuba is the first step toward an international career and a place from which I hope to engage with the wider world.

What do you think makes the University of Tsukuba special?

What makes the University of Tsukuba special to me is the environment it creates for focused and open-minded research. As a research-oriented national university, it is located away from central Tokyo, yet Tsukuba is modern, convenient, and closely connected to Japan's scientific community. This balance allows students and researchers to concentrate deeply on their work without feeling isolated. The university and the surrounding science city bring together people from many regions, countries, and academic backgrounds. Here, it feels natural for individuals with very different experiences to sit together, exchange ideas, and pursue scientific questions with genuine curiosity. That combination of diversity, calmness, and strong research infrastructure gives Tsukuba a distinctive character and makes it an ideal place for people who want to explore new ideas.