After arriving in Japan in early February 2020 and starting my research at NIMS, I focused on adapting to my new life here. The environment, culture, language, and even the working rhythm in Japan were, of course, very different from what I had experienced before. I began reviewing materials that might be needed for my coursework, while also learning new knowledge that would be useful for my research life—including how to use the instruments available in the laboratory.

However, in the middle of this learning process, there was one thing that kept me anxious: the long-awaited announcement of the NIMS-GRA (Graduate Research Assistantship) results. This scholarship was crucial, as it would determine the stability of both my studies and my life in Japan.

Finally, on February 20, 2020, I received an official email from NIMS. The message stated that I had been accepted as a NIMS-GRA recipient. The sense of relief was immense, as I no longer needed to search for alternative funding. From that point on, I was able to focus more fully on my coursework and research without the constant worry about living expenses.

My contract officially started on April 1, 2020, with a duration of one year and annual evaluations conducted during the NIMS Student Seminar. The system itself was straightforward: as long as I fulfilled my research responsibilities and demonstrated good progress, the contract could be renewed.

For master’s students, the NIMS-GRA salary system is calculated based on 11 working days per month. Each working day is valued at 14,640 yen, resulting in a total of approximately 161,400 yen per month before taxes. In my opinion, this amount is sufficient for living in Tsukuba, where the cost of living is relatively affordable compared to larger cities in Japan. For areas like Tokyo or Osaka, however, the situation might be quite different.