NewStats: 3,264,977 , 8,185,252 topics. Date: Friday, 13 June 2025 at 02:27 AM o1c62

blackbriar:



You can’t go into a meeting with a professor with mere words. It wont fly, he won't even get your points. You would fail miserably to impress.

So, I will advise to make a presentation with at most 3 slides.
Share slides with Professor 1-2 hours before re-schedule zoom meeting.

Slide 1 Introduction
Add your picture
Name: Musa Chima Segun
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Comp Sic form University of bla bla Nigeria.
Language spoken: English fluently, Japanese: zero
Work Experience: CEO and Front-End Engineer with Shell and Chevron
Vast experience in Java, Pascal programming language, Robotics etc

You get the gist.

Slide 2 Your research intention in master’s Program
With my knowledge in a pascal, I want to write a program to fly an unmanned car to the sun and back.
Hint: Add image of car flying to the sun.

Slide 3 Your future after master’s program
I want to continue to phd, so that I can invest more in my master’s research and program the car to fly to the sun and into heaven to and come back to earth safely. I would also like to do a post-doc program in Japan.
Hint: Add image of car flying to the sun and into heaven.

OR.

I want to us my knowledge from my master research to work in Japanese company like JAXA (Japan equivalent to NASA) bla bla etc.

You get the gist. So that Prof can understand you clearly and know how to help you. So, during your zooming meeting you would be sharing your slide presentation.

Keep your slides brief, no write plenty English, straight to the point and let illustrations, images speak more for you in the slides.

Thank you for the clarifications, I appreciate


Regarding the recruiter.
Well done here.
Try to understand from the recruiter point of view.
Recruiter does not have Job for you. He is not the company.
However, recruiter has personal access to companies probably IT companies.
So recruiter would go to these companies to say the following in summary:

Hello, it is me again, your good friend, Mr recruiter.
I have a good candidate for you. His profile is strong and good. He will fit right into your company smoothly.
However, he is not Japanese and can’t even say one word in Japanese, not even Ohayo.
Also, he is not in Japan, so visa required bla bla …you get the gist her as well.

so while also targeting recuriters, also target companies directly.

My humble 2 cents

Again, thank you very much Blackbriar, I now understand better Japan recruitment process

Thanks once again Blackbriar and Gerrard59 for your guidance and suggestions, I just wrapped up the zoom meeting with the professor and one of his PhD students, it really went well and he asked me to apply asap.

For the sake of knowledge sharing for future applicants, Let me explain in details.

I presented the slides and explained everything, I even used my NYSC experience to buttress why I opted for the research topic. The prof was happy and mentioned that there are two possible start dates for the program: October and April. I told him I'm aiming for the October intake, he browsed via the faculty website and advised me to quickly apply since the October deadline is this month. For funding, I told him I will self-sponsor but I am open to any funding opportunities. He said there are no scholarships for Research students at the start, but once I am in Japan, I may be able to apply for some, and they're very competitive. He shared some details about average monthly expenses and mentioned that part-time work is allowed, but might be difficult without Japanese language skills.
Lastly, he suggested that I my documents to Google Drive and share the links with him instead of sending PDFs by email. He said that make it easier for him to access everything without having to search via his emails.

Mr Gerrard59, I personally will prefer job over school, but I don't want to lay my eggs in one basket reason I am exploring both options. I have till October to renew my increased rent but salary never increase, so e better make I channel my small money into traveling out to where I go get better opportunity than paying the new rent or renting a new place with exorbitant agency, agreement and caution fee.

blackbriar:





Well done so far.

For the School Bit
1. What kind of research do you want to do?
2. Why do you want to do this research?
3. What are your future aspirations; phd and potential scholarship funding?
4. My advice, make a presentation slide about your self with more of illustrations, slides, diagrams and pictures to help the Professor understand you better.

Slide 1. Introduction
Add a picture of yourself.
Contents should be name, educational background and work experience.
Keep it simple methodology (KISS).

Slide 2. Your Research intention
Keep it simple methodology (KISS).
Why, your aim and so on. Use more of diagrams and illustrations

Slide 3. Your Future intention and research
Keep it simple methodology (KISS).
Phd?
Work in Japan?


For the Work Bit

Personally, I would have loved for you to pursue this stream especially with your IT background.

Note. Employment in Japan is periodical. Japan companies mostly and greatly employ before April of each year. Not to worry though. Mid -level recruitment all year round but March and September are mostly the recruitment periods.

What to do. Improve your Linkedin Profile.
Set job search to Japan so that recruiters can see your profile. Also look for IT recruiters in Japan on LinkedIn recruiting for IT roles and send introductory messages.

Create s on Japan job seeking sites such as
1. https://www.daijob.com/en/.
2. https://global.rakuten.com/corp/careers/
3. https://doda.jp/
4. https://www.rgf-professional.jp/en/for-candidates/for-candidates-b
5. Michael Paige Japan
6. Robert Walters Japan
If Indian’s can get the jobs from India, you can also do it.

My humble 2 cents and Gambatte

Thank you very much, I appreciate. I personally prefer the job path that was why I paused applying for research study in National Universities, but I don't want to lay my eggs in one basket.

With regards to the school path, this was the professors first reply with zoom link : Are you available today for a short discussion? 12:30-17:00 All Japan time which I replied for rescheduling. Since the discussion is via zoom, I am a bit confused about your suggestions of making a presentation slide about nyself with more of illustrations, slides, diagrams and pictures, can you elaborate?

Rictech:
This thing no easy o. I have been researching and sending lots of applications. The two I sent this morning, both replied me : The first one said he can't accept me because his student quota is already full. The 2nd one said he won't be able to accept me because he doesn't have his own laboratory or team. I had high hopes because their research interest and area aligned well with my current professional experience, and they have flexible payment pattern

UPDATE :
On the day I made this post I am quoting, I received more sorry response from professors who are in their retirement year. Not deterred, I applied to more universities and went back to sleep. Earlier on, I followed Blackbriar's advice. So as I was applying for research studies, I was also applying for frontend jobs. During working hour, a recruiter reached out to me expressing how he's impressed with my background and want to know more. I did justice to that & he asked he for my resume, which I sent. He replied for a date, I chose last week Friday which was public holiday, but I am yet to hear from him. I felt bad 😔 because I am having high hopes, at least if everything goes fine (which I am very sure I will ace the interview), I will be going to Japan to work & earn as a Frontend Developer not research student.
This morning, I sent follow up email to the professors I had earlier sent research inquiry email to, only one replied wanting a brief discussion with me via zoom by 8am. I politely replied him that by that time I would be at work and by 10am I would be having my daily standup scrum meeting, and requested to reschedule for tomorrow which he agreed. I think the likely discussions/questions would be about my background and proposed research topic etc. Gerrard59 and Blackbriar, from your experience, please what do you have to say about the likely discussions and suggestions to ace it?
I am also still hoping 🙏 to hear from the tech recruiter.

This thing no easy o. I have been researching and sending lots of applications. The two I sent this morning, both replied me : The first one said he can't accept me because his student quota is already full. The 2nd one said he won't be able to accept me because he doesn't have his own laboratory or team. I had high hopes because their research interest and area aligned well with my current professional experience, and they have flexible payment pattern

Gerrard59:

Number one: that is not the only school. You need to apply to as many as possible to get a favourable response. This is a game of numbers.
Number two: It is a go-ahead to apply. So, apply. At this point (as well other applications), you don't ask for any funding as you are putting the cart before the horse. You need to apply formally aka put your profile for the professor's and internal assessment. You talk about scholarship when asked, or the application has gone far. But at this point where your profile has not been assessed/viewed? It is unnecessary and needless.

Ok noted...
Just for some clarifications, at the bold, when i sent the inquiry email last week about the opportunity for a 6-months research studies place in the lab, i sent it to the research team in general(the official email of the research team professors/assistant professors) as there was no individual email. In the body - i added my CV, Transcript, Bsc and English as a Medium of Instructions Letter

blackbriar:


Both .
A follow up email and a phone call.
Mobile phone calls between Japan and Nigeria ae affordable.

Got to work this morning and this email popped up. This was the first I sent .
Blackbriar, in your earlier reply to Gerrard59, you suggested I go for masters directly and subsequently ask about the possibility of scholarship. Now that the research lab assistant professor have replied me that they are not accepting research interns, but welcomed me to apply for Master's program, how do you suggest I go about asking for scholarship? Please I humbly seek your guidance, thanks in advance cc Gerrard59

Gerrard59:

No idea. The professor could be very busy. I used one week interval, after which I resent the email and called the number attached to the laboratory telling them in simple English to check their mail box. I called at 9am Japanese time which is 1am Nigerian time.

Noted, thanks....
@ the bold, you mean a reminder/follow-up email ?

Gerrard59:

Yes, it's known as ission fee. Mandatory to all applicants including Japanese (I think).

Please go on to the school website for updated and real-time information. This is not how things are done here - they expect you to know the basics. The basics are on the Internet.

Please conduct a basic Internet search. Google is everywhere including Syria, Sudan and Liberia.

Hello @Gerrard59 and @Blackbria, I'm just curious, do you have any idea about the typical response time from professors regarding research opportunities ? I applied to three different research laboratories at two different National Universities in the South last week. I've also started applying for visa sponsorship tech jobs

Unlimitedlucky:


Going forward my blessed people, hope you're all having a pleasant time. please I wan to know, a friend I was chatting with told me about Hiroshima university but I got to point I asked she break the cost down and she said something about acceptance fee being 260k and 250k all in yen, my question is, do all school charge this much for acceptance fee?

You should probably visit and tour the school's official website, that's where you'll get accurate information. From my little understanding, all National Universities charge thesame

Gerrard59:

What is T/V visa? This is the first time I am coming across that term, and I have not seen it anywhere associated with migration policies/visa insurance in Japan.

Most times, people are not entirely honest. The visa that allows people to work are the standard work visa and the J-visa (top 100 universities globally). So, how come a T/V visa equates to a work visa? What kind of job are they doing? These are questions you should ask him/them.

Your course of study isn't a problem. A bachelor's degree is the minimum educational qualification to be granted a work visa. As Blackbriar stated, your profile is good enough to get a recruiter's attention. The issue is that: you are not in Japan, and that is the major problem with job hunting in this country. Even being in a faraway prefecture, say Kyushu and wanting to move to Tokyo comes with many questions. A friend declined an offer because the company refused to cover his relocation costs (from Kyoto to Tokyo), and as he told me, it is the standard in the industry (also tech) for companies to cover a prospective employee's relocation costs to the equivalent of a month's salary (the prospective employee gets paid twice in a month).

You need to search "recruiting firms in Japan" and "recruiting agencies for tech jobs with no Japanese" so you can make a list of recruiting agencies to that you want to get a tech job in Japan. Your profile will be assessed, and if all goes well, you will get employed. The job might not be glamorous, seeing that you have only a year's experience. If you work with a notable firm or notable projects, one year can be enough, but anything less could lead to rejections compared to, say, 2 years of work experience. Recruitment agencies are utilised a lot here to get a job or change jobs. Please note: you don't have to pay a recruiter for anything. The employing organisation pays the recruitment agency. Any recruitment agency that asks you to pay is a sc.am in the making. From A-Z, you, as the applicant, don't pay. That is how recruitment agencies work.

Sorry, 6 million won't go anywhere. You mentioned checking national universities. Did you check their tuition fees and convert them to naira? When I applied, I was given a budget of Y80K per month X 24 months, and this was not in Tokyo. With inflation and yen instability, I imagine it being Y100K. So, six million cannot go anywhere. Research students pay lower tuition fees, so this is a good option which I strongly recommend you combine with job hunting, aka emailing recruiting agencies. The plan here is: you aim at being a research student so you get a foot in the country, so your job hunting chances increase. Once in the country, it is not an issue of being outside the country, but your profile that counts. If need be, you tell recruiters that you plan to become a research student, during which you aim to leave the program and start working. The research student program is for six months. Towards the end, it is expected that you formally apply to the department to become a master's student (2 years). My Burkinabe friend followed a similar route: six months as a research student, two years master's and now is in his first year as a PhD student (D1). You could drop out even in the first year of your master's. Although this is not encouraged or liked, but many Vietnamese, Nepalese and Chinese do it. Nothing illegal in the eyes of the law provided the employing organisation provides documents to apply for a work visa for you. Yes, the research student is like pre-degree in Nigerian parlance. But I am not sure six million goes anywhere, as you will be required to show a POF for living expenses and tuition fees for six months. How you do this with 6m is up to you.

Ok, thanks I appreciate your input. I was just shortening it, by T/V Visa I mean Tourist/Visit Visa. Yes, his cousins entered earlier this year with it(tourists visa, I don't want to go into details)and are working, but I don't intend following same route. I want a visa with COE.
When I was researching on National Universities, I saw a university whose 6months research program is ¥10, 000/month & ¥60, 000 for 6 months , my bad 😞 😔, I thought I bookmarked it.
So today I continued and I saw the underlisted expense breakdown in Hiroshima website. Using today's exchange rate of ¥1 = ₦11.26
Expense Breakdown
Application Fee:¥9,800 x ₦11.26 = ₦110, 348
Enrollment Fee: ¥84,600 x ₦11.26 = ₦952, 596
Research Fee: ¥29,700/month = ₦334, 422/month
Research Fee for 6 Months: ¥178,200 x ₦11.26 = ₦2, 006,532
Total in Naira is ₦3.1M

blackbriar:


With this your profile. you can even get an IT job from Nigeria.
Indias get IT jobs from India with visa sponsorship.

Work on yur linkedin Profile and set it to Japan for recruiters to seek.
Visit robert walters and micahel page recuitment wwebsite japan for IT jobs.

https://www.robertwalters.co.jp/en/


https://www.michaelpage.co.jp/en


Regarding studies, you dont necessariy have to do the the research studies program ( YES it is exactly a pre-science/pre-degree or diploma like in Nigeria)
With a good application, you can get into your masters degree program.

Ok thanks for your time, but you didn't say anything about my balance (6M). Will it be enough to at least get me into Japan via Graduate program? I don't want to renew my rent which will expire by September, so I will explore both options because renewing my rent will greatly reduce my current balance.

blackbriar:



Some Universities and courses require you take a 6 months-1 year pre graduate studies before enrolling for graduate studies.
The Reasearch studies are on campus, after the stipulated period you take a test and interview before many professors and if you , you get direct enrolment into post graduate studies.

Why you may ask?
1.Because the universities are not so confident of what you studied back home.
2. If you do not have a background in the intended course of study e.g Nuclear Engineering or AI.


I have seen candidiate from Vietnam and Myanamar mess up their test.
The test are very simple, all what you learned in bachelors period.

Please throw more light on these 6 months to 1year pre-graduate/Research studies. Is it same tuition with the Graduate Studies?

Gerrard59:

Do your research on jobs for programmers in the country. Tokyodev is one example. A better way is to Google "job sites for programmers in Japan". Another is the LinkedIn job search feature. Search "Japan + the programming language you are versed in/interested". Everything is on the Internet.

Your BSc is okay, but if you have the funds and/or you are lucky to get a scholarship before entering the country, a master's is equally good. Target the top twenty universities to increase your job hunting chances/opportunities. Here, a master's is research-based, rather than taught. So expect to be in the lab most of the time. A thesis is required at the end of two years. There are plenty of part-time jobs and as someone in tech, the minimum wage is higher for coders.

"Racism" (however you define it) is everywhere outside of your dominant environment. The major one is: expect to be starred at especially if you are not in the Tokyo area and Saitama. The city I studied and lived in was one of the biggest but I still got stares as I lived and studied in the outskirts plus the city is so big there are places you go, and you would never see a black person.

Since you are outside the country (presumably in Nigeria), your chances of getting an interview or call-up would be low, but keep applying. Japan desperately needs programmers. As blackbiar stated, many Indians and Southeast Asians benefit disproportionately because of geographical proximity and Japan-insert country ties. The Chinese benefit the most due to cultural and linguistic ties. If you do get called up, perform very well so your performance convinces the firm to move along the stages till the point where the firm is convinced to employ you and apply for a COE on your behalf. Once the COE is issued to you, the visa is sure. Since you come from a non-Asian nation, it is the reason you need to perform very well during tests and interviews so your technical skills overcome your language deficiency. Yes, the language barrier is an issue, but not for skilled programmers. Companies are ready to overlook the language deficiency if the person is skilled. For the company to employ such a person who is OUTSIDE Japan, then you have to be twice as good as a similar person IN Japan.

Good luck!

To Gerrard59, davodyguy, majisuka, moonraker, komia, blackbria & co, I want to specially appreciate you all for all your wonderful contributions to this thread, you guys have really done well.
Earlier this week, I was texting with my friend about the UK white paper & difficulty in getting Visa Sponsorship job to Europe or America. He suggested Japan to me, in his word "work too much for Japan & them they give T/V-visa now, two of my cousins entered with T/V-Visa this January & they've started working already, try apply". Of course, I can't take that risk, so I decided to do my due diligence. I have read from page 1 to 46 & I have gained incredible insights. I am quoting this particular reply of yours because I have similar profile with the person you replied. I am above 30, B.Sc Computer Science (2.2), formerly worked in a field completely unrelated to my course of study but did freelance web development (Reactjs/Django) as a side hustle, now working professionally as a Frontend Developer (1y+), ACC bal of 6M. I really want to leave Naija via visa sponsorship job or through school, what are my chances? Is my balance enough ? I have also researched on National universities in more affordable prefecture, but as someone already there, I need more insight from you with regards to the research part of the 2 years MSc. Can I liken it to a pre-science/pre-degree or diploma in Nigerian universities?

pocohantas:


Yea, I appreciate his honesty. I just told him I can't marry a man like that and it didn't even blossom into a relationship. He cut me off when I got engaged.

So you're finally engaged? Long time coming, I am genuinely happy for you ❤️. Rooted for/secretly hoped things would work out for you and Alexandra back then when you gave him greenlight. Congratulations 👏🎉 poco

ChinemeremFidel:


What's your budget

300...
400 maximum

Keep it up....

Hello ChinemeremFidel, with regards to the attached screenshot, which area do you have available self-contained apartment?

Ajalalomo:
The sender must be a newbie. No one is using DHL or post office to send packages to Nigeria because of custom duty. Next time he should use the local Nigerian freight company to ship items to Nigeria.


The maximum shipping cost he will pay for these same items will be less than £40, and you go to there office in Nigeria to pick it up.

Pls, list examples of the Nigerian freight companies that ship from UK to Naija. I too suffer for DHL/Custom hand last month

viqSmallz:


Lol you speak with a lot of ignorance.

All facilities in the Aiport belongs to the government, it is managed by them even when you take a lease on them.
Customs duty are done per piece and not in bulk. Thats why it is called Single Goods Declaration. Google SGD and don't lead peope astray

Are you also aware that any item that comes into the country is an import and duty must be paid? And for you to export out you must first clear the shipment?

They don't know. I just dey laugh. I was in the same scenario last month

Jefferyzz:
The sender requested they send it back. She was told its not with them anymore, d agent said it was handed over to custom. One of their agent even threatened the lady by saying even if she didn't collect the items, she will still pay the fee.

Unfortunately, that's just the gospel truth. Even If the sender recall it, since it is in custom's warehouse, she will have to pay the import duty first before it will be waybilled back to her. I had this same horrible experience last month. It was a frustrating experience, but at the end, I did collect my stuff. Drop your let me link you up or your twitter handle let me chat you with evidence of my cleared stuffs

Recruitmentedu:

I will only give this advice here because I see you really want to move up.
Choose a cheap course , enter and then transfer to your desire course after a while

Ok, thanks

Recruitmentedu:

Both are the best.. But for me I prefer romania. There are some things that you will get very easy when you are here. But if you want to be in schengen then choose hungary

I really like Romania & Hungary, & would settle for any as a stepping stone
But I hate the fact there's no spring intake in Romania for study😞
Hungary that have spring intake, their tution fee for my desired program is expensive & you will also pay application fee 😞...
Wetin man go do ?

Firefunmi2014:


I am an FCA like you, I have my firm in Nigeria and still making money from Naija, to be honest with you I have only converted pound to Naira once and all the money have been spending in Nigeria is being made from Nigeria. You can DM , let's talk further.

Good evening Firefunmi2014, thanks for your contribution to the thread. Bros, pls, beg, ejoor, biko I need a job & would be glad if you can be of help

NairalandSARS:
Hi all.

Please I am looking for a good town to rent in Delta state. By "good", I mean with basic amenities like potable water, okay electricity, and good toilets.

(1)Kwale (about 3hrs from Warri), but they don't have light, so you'll rely on generator

(2)Beneku & Aboh are very close to Kwale, have constant light (oil companies there give them free light, they don't pay light bill). But na village 🙄🙄



I also need the town to be far away from WARRI area as possible. Like 3hr+ drive from warri. Looking at the google map of Delta state, the places I know such as ughelli, uvwie, and even sapele are close to that area. The other areas that are 150km+ away from warri are unfamiliar to me.

Please I will gladly appreciate your responses.

PS: Asaba is too expensive, so not an option for me.

(1)Ogwashi Ukwu
(2)Ibusa/Igbuzor/IgboDiN'uzor
.... They're close to Asaba

Osamagioghowewi:
Hello nairalander

This is what I would do if I am you(my money never reach else I for don do am since); look for a UK care-giver skilled worker with CoS(not student o), negotiate & become her Dependant move to the UK . But becareful though, do your due diligence make them no reap you off.

Funkyinthehouse:



BOTH

Oh , thanks .
Are you already in Coventry?

Enddy50ty:


Can you recommend any particular video or channel one can learn from..??

I started learning with different videos, but the channels I am most comfortable with for now are :
1. Mez Graphics
2. Simplicity K Boat
Simply because, they teach & you'll see how they're using the Photoshop tools bar.

When u click on a video, pause it, then proceed to read the comments. If the comments are encouraging, play the video for like 3minutes to see if the YouTuber's mode of instruction is through voice over or text

teamb:
Travelling to canada in 60days kindly recommend tech aspects or languages I can learn asap

I will recommend graphics design....
* & install Adobe Photoshop.
*Go to YouTube, search for graphic design videos, read reviews/comments before you .
*Start watching and learning simultaneously.
If you're serious with it, before 60days you should be able to design above average flyers, banners & posters

Mindlog:


Then push for the offer letter... Nigerian students over plenty for that Coventry University!😂😂😂😂

@bold really?
Why if I may ask.

Low cost of living?
Availability of jobs ?

rukkyberry:
Hello house,

Thanks to everyone for their updates.
Please has anyone used Rwandair or EgyptAir? Is it a good airline?

Thanks

A friend traveled to the UK in October 2022 using EgyptAir. Said the airline is cheap(350k) & the experience was good. So if you're low on funds & looking for a budget airline, you can consider them