I GRADUATED FROM JAPAN'S TOP UNIVERSITY 👩‍🎓 | My Experience + How I Got In!! 🗼

[@AllisoninTokyo]

There is no perfect school or situation so you just gotta make the best out of it Also, I couldn't have done this without the support of my family! It can be difficult being an international student ♥

[@Bonniebelle_00__]

I don’t know why yt were not recommending your videos you helped me feel comfortable with choosing Japanese as a second language and promote myself to go gakuen also can we be penpals im working on my Japanese and would love to have convos with someone who also speaks it that way you never feel alone! I’m sure many of your viewers would love a discord chat . Unless Im missing the info that you already have one

[@Rody_le_Cid]

Allisson, thanks for making the video. I know you feel like your graduation was somehow stolen from you but just so you can compare, I also graduated from Tokyo University, a PhD in Engineering (building 2) but I graduated in 2011. Right after the Fukushima earthquake. They were still picking up after the earthquake, at that time there were power failures because of a lack of electricity, no AC only some rooms had a fan etc.. But most of all, there were NO CEREMONIES. at all. It was a somber mood, people had died so nobody was doing any graduation ceremony. I got my Diploma, from my dean of faculty in his office with 3 other students. My lived experience was clearly different from yours since I was part of a research lab with at least 20-30 of my sensei's students, and a support system among students to help each other so the previous 5 years I spent there were different to yours so I 'm not complaining at all, but my Graduation was as eventful as getting a document from a kuyakusho. But in any case, Congratulations!

[@rocketman3770]

@@Rody_le_Cid did you have to pay tuition for your PhD program? I read that it is different from Western countries in that there is no stipend? Are you living in Japan now, how is your experience? Just curious, thanks!

[@Rody_le_Cid]

​@@rocketman3770 I got the Monbusho scholarship, so no I did not have to pay tuition that's part of it, and also a stipend but it's not that high.. I mean, it is enough to live in Tokyo, so that's good, you can pay rent, food, telephone and train, and you get a little extra if you can save money, but they don't pay you to graduate with lots of money at the end, it's enough to live, have a nice time, etc.. In my engineering lab they furnished us stuff too, I could use a laptop, still belonged to the school but I could use it when needed..

[@rocketman3770]

@@Rody_le_Cid Nice, thanks for sharing. Do you plan to stay and live in JPN long-term?

[@nancykay4128]

Hi Allison-thank you for sharing your experiences about grad school in Japan. I just took my first trip there from the U.S. to see my son graduate from Chubu, University near Nagoya. He had studied Japanese both on his own in high school, and then entering college at Ohio University, and applied for a scholarship. He received his MBA on March 23. I went sightseeing him with him in Kyoto to see the cherry blossoms and unfortunately I twisted my knee and fell on the train station steps. Now I’m back home on crutches. It was all worth it though to see him after 2.5 years not being able to see him due to the Covid lockdown there.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Oh no 😭😭 I’m glad you were able to see it even if the ending was a bit unlucky 🥹

[@chelsea917]

I totally understand the struggle with doing university during covid! As an international student from the States, I just finished my undergrad in Scotland, and covid made a good part of my time here miserable. It wasn't all bad, but it definitely did alter university life, like how the curriculum was taught, activities, and connections, and, overall I feel like myself and many other students were left out of many experiences - which is something that I was looking forward to for years before going to uni :/

[@markvader8083]

The journey you experienced to reach your goals is an inspiration to all the young adults out there(know that there always will be good & bad/find a way to make it work/never give up). Congrats!

[@endlessteatime4733]

Congratulations! I think the hakama was the much more interesting choice compared to those normal graduation gowns. I graduated from med school last October so I got a good taste of covid measurements too... My uni had no clue what to do for a while, which is ridiculous because what uni should handle a pandemic better than a medical uni... I digress. What I personally found awful was that I got little to no clinical experience in certain fields that were on my curriculum in 2020. I still lack in pediatry, which is sad because I wanna go into child psychiatry and it's important to have a grasp of pediatry for that purpose. It'll turn out all right in the end, it's just the memory of my last years of uni are a little sour and I'm sure you can relate to this part.

[@AlexTheGamer97]

I feel so lucky that my Japanese Uni is doing in person classes this semester that I’m doing my exchange program. It’s been a much better experience than my home university so far with the atmosphere and community of other exchange students. Congrats on your degree and I wish you the best for the start of your career!

[@AllisoninTokyo]

That's great!!! I'm glad! I think my university is back to mostly in-person now too....too late for me though 😁

[@sand7269]

Don’t underestimate your resilience in this achievement during the pandemic👍. It will take you far. Congratulations 👏

[@katelynn.kensington]

Aw. Your videos are so sweet, genuine and entertaining. I am so glad I met someone who suggested I follow you.

[@Commonsenseisnotcommon8]

I just found your channel last week,as someone who grew up in Japan, on a military base. I now live in Florida, but I’m trying to get back to japan. I love your videos. Congratulations on graduating from your program!

[@lumu42]

I'm very jelly. I tried to do jet but I had a child with a disability and wasn't recommended to go. I would have love to have done graduate school in japan but again with my child it was impossible in the 80's. Congratz. Oh I'm also from florida. GO YOU!!!

[@heatherbradstreet1426]

Congrats! I’ve never heard Florida described so aptly- anti-vibes. Love the content and your honesty.

[@khimstudio]

Congratulations to your graduation! Its the same here for our students during covid period, you are not alone.

[@jonathansakura]

That's epic I'm getting my grad online as i work in South Korea But i would love to do school in Japan for a doctorate possibly in the future I'm also originally from Florida 😊

[@justdhiyo9090]

Congratulation Allison! I have watched your channel to learn about Todai and life in Tokyo since last year. Now I'm pursuing my Ph.D. there, and I look forward to your vlog in the next chapter after graduate school!

[@SuperSakuragirl]

Congratulations on graduating!!🎉🎉 About half of my undergrad was during Covid and I completely understand what you’re saying. I think I was more so disappointed because I knew what a somewhat “normal” life on campus was like. I also was taking a lot language classes and most of them just didn’t translate well to online classes. So I completely understand there were challenges going to school during Covid. Good luck with starting your new job!!

[@hydroz1]

awesome! Congratulations Allison!

[@3210vca]

Allison is a World Citizen who just happens to be an American or someone who's holding a particular passport. The world is hers, so to speak. Congratulations....and yes let's all be thankful that the pandemic is all behind us (for) now!!! Let's all bow our heads to those who persisted and succeeded like this lady and a really deep and sorrowful bow for those who did'nt survive Covid-19.

[@yasmeentabbakh4640]

Ahhh this is so nice to see, congratulations on your success Alison! Wishing you all the best on your next chapter!! ❤️ I have also just started my architecture master’s degree at UofTokyo a week ago and I’m so excited to explore the city. I’m ofc using all your videos as guidance for exploring Japan hahaha 😝

[@jasiknuff]

Congratulations Alli🥰😘 can’t wait to see how everything is changing for you. Take us with you 💖

[@songthanh896]

卒業おめでとう🎓! Congratulations 🎉

[@CBAmakingAusername]

Congratulations Allison, you are amazing. I bet your parents are so proud of you. And you should be so proud of yourself. My daughter graduates in England in July congratulations again x

[@Janderaletr]

Congratulations on graduating!! :) I did a 2 year technical degree here in Sweden for programming during Covid, it was supposed to be full time in person kind of program, but because of covid we only did 1 test at the school, and also we meet up for graduation, other than that we never went to school or met up! I think the classes worked out, I had alot of hicups along the way, teachers not knowing how to plan a distance course, overall it went good, but it was definitely hard! I also feel like some of my courses got completely F-ed because of the distance thing... but hey I got a job, and have been a programmer now for 8 months! I can't wait to watch your life with work and normal life! also early actual cash life just becomes more normal and less of a struggle! more money to do fun stuff!

[@william_rc]

Congratulations 👏🏼🎉👏🏼🎉!!! Looking forward to seeing the next chapter!

[@Wuggyboobeaufuf138]

I did my master's degree from 2019 - 2021 and I had a similar experience to you as far as being Zoom University. I at least got my first year in person, but I sympathise with your frustrations. My graduation ceremony was almost 8 months after I graduated, because of The Dark Times, and I didn't even get an email from my uni about it. I also understand your frustrations about them communicating. Congrats on graduating.

[@chourobidou]

congrats on your graduation Alli!

[@elisabeth916]

Congratulations, Allison! You should be really proud of yourself.

[@ruthnoronha8206]

My nephew graduated medical school in a new York during Covid and you know NY was hit hard. He returned to Toronto Canada (home) all classes were online, exams and all we online. Graduation was on like. They got dressed in their gowns. Sent photos, the photos came up on screen when their name got called. The university officials officiating the ceremony gave their speeches, the guest of honor handed out the ‘certificates’ basically but their graduating class came up on screen at the end. My sister waited for this honour for so long but it didn’t happen in a traditional way but it’s what every one had to accept! So sorry!

[@katherinesmith9951]

Congrats Allison! Love watching your videos about Japan, they help calm me down on tough days or pass the time. Good luck with your future endeavors! 🎉

[@eekdageek]

Congratulations!!🎊 おめでとうございます！

[@timlee7227]

Congratulations and on to the next amazing life chapter 🎉❤

[@mktc99]

congrats, Allison! 🎓 I finished my undergrad during COVID, so understand what it's like going to Zoom uni, my graduation ceremony was also cancelled twice so I just rented the robes and had my own celebration with my family haha

[@bradthomas4798]

I’m sure your parents are very proud of you. You will be an asset to the company you work for

[@mikego7325]

That Kimono is so beautiful. Congratulations on your special day, and thank you for giving us all a glimpse of life (and graduations) in Japan!

[@xinbei5434]

Congratulations! 🎉 I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I discovered your channel. Your videos have been an inspiration for me to consider spending time and living in Japan at some point in the near future 😊

[@yolandayog]

The outfit you wore for your graduation ceremony was really beautiful! You looked very nice. Congratulations on your degree!

[@Allenby2]

Super late but congratulations on graduating! 🎉

[@elkeyes]

It was interesting hearing your experience with grad school. I got my Master's years ago with a hybrid online/in person model so though it wasn't during Covid, it was a bit similar in vibes I think. I appreciated being able to go to the classes periodically and meet my professors and classmates when I could, but the online option meant I didn't have to move to attend full time (I could still work at my job in another city). Congrats again and wishing you the best with your new job! :)

[@bonyo888]

YAAAY Congratulations Allison!!! What an endeavour to get through but hot diggity, you should feel proud of where you're at and all the work you put in! and THE HAKAMA IS AMAZING! It is such a stunning look and you totally owned it!! Here's to future endeavours in the next phase of life!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@kurorune]

thank you for sharing your experience! you looked so beautiful in the hakama ☺️ and congratulations 🎉

[@cedystic]

Congratulations! 🎉 All the best in your new season of life, your videos have been a joy!

[@bennykoh]

Hi Allison, congratulations on graduating from the Masters programme! I have been to University of Tokyo last December 2022 after seeing your earlier videos and I loved it! The elm trees were sooooo breathtaking! I would love to go again!

[@vguy488]

Yay! Congratulations! Take a bow, you've earned it. You're now part of a select group that can proudly state this. Though it may be an pretentious of me: this is only one step of many. Never stop aspiring for greater heights. The road towards knowledge lasts a lifetime. Become wiser than you were yesterday, so that tomorrow you can be wiser still. Cheers!

[@Boomerang_tinyhomes]

Congratulations Allison!!!🥳🎉🥂I hope you achieve all your goals in life!😘

[@peytonsassafrass2207]

Congratulations 🎉 I was born in Japan, raised part of my life in Japan, although I'm a American, I did go to a University in England and in the States, I definitely understand things you went through! You did it, You should be proud! I'm living in the states now, I'm getting ready to travel to Japan for 6 weeks, I'm so excited

[@rosew1]

I am excited for what's next and all the beautiful places you take us too.

[@dianesimoes8943]

Thank you

[@Tsubomi19]

Congrats on graduating! Also wanted to say that I‘ve been thinking since last video that the longer hair looks really cute on you, too!☺️ Also beautiful colour combination of your hakama set!

[@joycenisbet4069]

congrats.a Life Milestone All best future

[@CynthiaPattonArtist]

Congratulations! Even if it wasn't ideal, it's still a very unique experience perhaps even more so because of the pandemic. Best wishes as you start on your next adventure!

[@lizzie7929]

Congratulations 🏫🎓👩🏼‍🎓🎉 Your clothes for the Graduation, were so pretty!🪽💕👘🎓

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Thank you!

[@lizzie7929]

@@AllisoninTokyo You’re welcome 🖋️📝🎓🪽💕

[@Cat1184]

First of all: congratulations 🎉🍾🎊 again!!! I’ve graduated! That is so so cool and I’m really happy for you. And from my perspective: you’ve even had a graduation ceremony although it wasn’t perfect. But you had that special moment when you were given your diploma in a special setting. Believe me it can be worse. I’ve got mine by postal service, twice. So that’s disappointing, believe me. I’ve studied law in Germany. After you studied at university you’ve have your first round of exams and at the end you’ll get your first diploma. After that you have a two year practical phase, then another round of exams and then you get your second diploma. So basically you have two graduations. Since there are people graduating every two months there a collection dates for university graduation twice a year, but since I wasn’t informed by my university (like a lot of people) I missed my first chance. So no graduation ceremony for me. And since the second exam has nothing to do with the university anymore there is no graduation ceremony after that at all. So no graduation ceremony for me there either. Although this is more than 10 years ago it still makes me sad because you’ve put so much energy and heart in your education and then it end so ordinary with a postal letter. Really disappointing 😢

[@jackson7922]

Congratulations! I've seen your videos off and on over the years, didn't know you were a grad school student!

[@user-qm7jw]

If you want to have a fulfilling college life, private universities such as Waseda, Keio, Sophia and MARCH are much better. National universities are basically underfunded, so even the University of Tokyo does not offer much support, and private universities are more generous to international students. Famous private universities have a large number of students, so there are many different kinds of people there, and many of them speak English. Imperial universities such as Tokyo University are just a place to go to study.

[@stevew2926]

Congrats Allison, you are an inspiration to us (a) ! :)

[@siddharthb2633]

Do you do consulting for study in abroad in Japan? I am planning to apply to Tokyo University but can't find much information about the program of my choice online.

[@dianebaker5243]

Congratulations, wishing you all the best in your future career in beautiful Japan. 👍♥️

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Thank you!!

[@lisabiesterfeld9925]

I'm so Happy for you Allison. Congrats 🎉

[@nadjagonzalez1832]

I’m sorry that your parents could not be in the ceremony room with you but I’m happy for you in completing this milestone and that they were able to visit you🎉❤

[@xjessicaspeedx]

Hi Allison! Did you do the ITASIA programme? I am thinking of applying for it!

[@thatgirl_jenny]

Congratulations Allison!! ☺🎉 Thank you for sharing your graduate experience in Japan and best of luck on your future endeavors! 💪

[@jordan8276]

The part where they played the recording of the song at your graduation 😂. Congrats and excited for your next step!!!🎉

[@beverlymentalhealth]

Congratulations! Keep enjoying the process!

[@joycekorvick3369]

Congratulations!! Good luck in the new job.

[@lady_macbeth_]

What is jet ?can someone explain to me ? She said something like ..." Before jet started" at 2:28 .

[@codenamerinwaz2703]

ohhh i understand the having goals part. i also too don't know what i want to do. So i decided to have short-long term goals so i don't feel like i'm wasting my time during my undergrad. Covid hit during my second semester it was super hard and im still recovering from it. That why I'm why in Japan. Going to Japan was always there but never really pushed for it until after Covid. Right now I'm a exchange student at private university in Tokyo that twice the size of my home university. I have been thinking doing my Master's in Japan because my focus is international business and I want to have more connections to Japan and hopeful maybe live here. my graduation is in like two years so I still have some time to decided :)

[@checkplease4532]

The time has come…congrats, Allison!! 🎉

[@clolouiseart]

I discovered your channel not long ago, but I just wanted to comment and let you know your videos are very relaxing, it's like I'm hanging out with a friend :)

[@clolouiseart]

Oh also congratulations on graduating 😅

[@aglaurendance]

So awesome, congratulations on graduating! I have two girls with Japanese mothers and white fathers in my fourth grade class and I went to Japan for a bit in college myself, so I love watching your journey through your videos! I was both a grad student and an elementary teacher during Covid, so I was both learning online (in a program that admittedly was always going to be online, not in-person) and teaching 8-year-olds online. Both were awful, but I think teaching online was worse than being a student online- that could well be because of the young age of my students though. The news that the WHO had downgraded it from a public health emergency happened to come through during my morning meeting with my kids yesterday and they all cheered, remembering how awful first and second grade were online. Online and Zoom have a lot of potential, but I’m thrilled that elementary school is back in person now. Lots of my friends learned to love being remote during Covid and still do so, but I never want to go remote for work again!

[@tinytarakeet]

Excited for this next part of your life toooo~!!

[@michellechampagne3534]

I graduated in 2020 with my doctorate, our school didn't even give us a graduation. I'm sorry COVID messed up you'd experience as well, but congrats! You should be proud

[@hazelmeldrum5860]

I think your experience mirrored the way academia processed covid restrictions. A young relative from the Uk attended a USA university for his first 3 years he got the full experience but Covid meant that the final year was zooms etc he once attended a tutorial while waiting for a plane in Chicago, He was allowed in to attend his graduation, but his parents could not go.

[@Will2getfit]

Congratulations on graduating 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Thanks!!

[@erniesandoval9669]

So happy for you Allison ❤💖.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Thank you! ✨

[@Norio1213]

おめでとうございます！！！　Congrats!

[@EatPrayAnime]

Omedetou!!!

[@bipulnarzary5280]

Nice

[@larissashomeinteriors8821]

Congratulations!!!! 🎉

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Thank you!!

[@tjsmolla]

Congratulations!!🥳🥳🥳

[@CBAmakingAusername]

Allison I think covid screwed up every student, and you are correct a lot of missed experiences. My daughter too. In the future no one will understand the struggles of this intake of students x

[@jevaling]

お疲れ様でした! Appreciate the honest review!

[@Jasiwardas]

congratulations! 🫂

[@tiffany2709]

Hey Allison! I graduated from university in 2021 so unfortunately I didn’t get to have my full graduation experience 😢 my university offered a virtual options but honestly it was pointless so I chose not to do it. Basically I just went to the office and picked up my diploma and left. That was it 😅

[@bokuwatoki5983]

I finished my last semester when Covid started. It felt like all my hard work and opportunities was taken away from me at the last minute. I don’t even have a GRADUATION! 😩 I also didn’t have internet so I worked on my phone for the last 5 months of my semester. Graduated with honors and all the good stuff… but no graduation; not even a diploma case was mailed to us 🙄 I had to buy one last month because I do isn’t want to leave my second degree in the closet capturing dust.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Yeah I’m lucky we at least had a graduation 😭😭😭

[@Scott-if3ce]

Congrats! 🎉 And nice video. I'm actually finishing my master's soon and starting a PhD (English taught) at Handai in October. For the application process, mine was similar to yours. Mainly submitting documents and doing an interview. Im in STEM so I also had to do a research presentation/proposal. Btw do guys sometimes also wear a hakama/kimono for graduation?

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Usually men wear suits 🥹

[@Scott-if3ce]

@@AllisoninTokyo I see, thanks for letting me know 👍

[@KeziahMason]

Congratulations!

[@christanner8765]

Congratulations Allison!

[@hajnalkahorvath7954]

I'm still in high school and I want to go to University here in Hungary in Oriental languages and cultures basic humanities major, majoring in Japanese after that, I plan to go to Japan and enrol in a business language course so it would be easier to get a job to settle there in the future. I really hope I can make it😅

[@WNYfellow]

It would have been nice.... to see more of your parents.

[@zenakuTenshi]

Congratulations! I wanted to ask if you funded this privately or received a scholarship? I'm currently on the JET PROGRAMME and I'm also interested in graduate school!

[@wilhelminacarthens2060]

Congratulations Allison, 🎊👏

[@chibikkotravels]

Congrats. Working in a Japanese office will surely be an adjustment, but for the experience it will probably be worth it.

[@arwen2385]

I LOVE the lip color omg

[@MonicaTheMad]

Excellent, congratulations!

[@VerhoevenSimon]

Congratulations

[@Ryuhei64]

Congratulations! :)

[@tracya.5908]

Congratulations 🎉

[@ms1007901]

Congrats

[@IftikharAhmed-nm3vc]

Very nice

[@shozos6672]

I wish you work for the US governmental agency such as U.S Embassy, Consulate-General in Japan. I'm sure you'll be a great ambassador between U.S. and Japan. Please think seriously of becoming one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Please!!!!!!

[@dianadiana9816]

🎉🎉🎉