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Tohoku University welcomed 25 new international undergraduates to the Future Global Leadership (FGL) programme at an entrance ceremony on September 26.

The students represent 10 different countries - including, for the first time, Iran and Poland - and will be joining the faculties of science, engineering and agriculture. Japanese students who passed the Global Admissions Exam, will also be taking classes with the FGL students.

In his welcome speech, Executive Vice President for Education and Student Support Hirotsugu Takizawa urged the students to embrace new experiences in and out of the classroom. "The university offers many classes that you can take together with Japanese students. So please use the FGL programme as an opportunity to actively engage with students outside of your own course, encounter diverse ideas and learn new things."

He also highlighted the large number of clubs and circles on campus that students can get involved in. "Although studying is a priority, the knowledge you gain by interacting with other students and having various types experiences will also become a unique strength."

This year, two new incoming students have older siblings currently on the FGL programme.

Rukaia M. Hazem Farzat, who is from Syria, credits her brother Abdul Rahman for her decision to come to Japan. "My brother really encouraged me to do this programme. It's my first time in Japan, and I'm looking forward to getting a good education, making a few good friends and having a wonderful experience."

"I told my sister that the education here is really good, the standard is high and the facilities are nice. There's also a lot of space and nature," said Abdul Rahman M. Hazem Farzat, who is in his 2nd year on the IMAC-U programme. "I think my parents feel more at ease that I am here too. But there's actually nothing to worry about because people are nice and the professors are very supportive, even outside of class."

Two other students also spoke of their reasons for coming to Sendai.

"Tohoku University has a diverse and multicultural community of students, so I wouldn't only be studying, but also experiencing Japanese culture and making new international friends, which I would not have been able to do if I had chosen to study in Indonesia instead," said Syamil Muharror, adding that he hopes to "join communities or clubs to learn about leadership skills that I have missed out on during high school."

Yu Zekang from China, said he first learnt of Tohoku University through being a fan of Japanese singer and university alumnus Kazumasa Oda. "The very first time I listened to his song, which was the theme song of Tokyo Love Story, I was deeply moved," he said. "Now, four years later, every time I listen to his music, his voice and melodies still take my breath away."

Tohoku University's popular exchange programmes attract hundreds of students each year from partner universities around the world. The FGL programme is specifically for undergraduates, and offers three courses taught in English - advanced molecular chemistry (AMC), applied marine biology (AMB) and international mechanical and aerospace engineering (IMAC-U).

More information about the programme is available here.