In Pakistan, Japanese electronic devices are highly favored for their advanced functionality, long lifespan, and flexibility. To me, they symbolize the cutting edge of Japanese technology. This admiration for Japan's technological advancements is the reason why I decided to pursue my doctoral degree in Japan.
When choosing a university, I prioritized not only the research content but also the availability of English-language support and a strong international student community. Osaka Metropolitan University has a diverse student body, including many international students ranging from undergraduates to researchers. Moreover, I had heard that Osaka is a comfortable and livable city, which further encouraged my decision to study abroad.
As I had hoped, life in Osaka has been incredibly comfortable. It is a convenient metropolis with a relaxed atmosphere, making it an enjoyable place to live.
My field of expertise is material science and spintronics, and my current research focuses on the synthesis of chiral crystals. Chiral materials, which exhibit a unique property known as chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS), have promising applications across various fields, making them highly attractive to researchers. Osaka Metropolitan University is well-equipped to synthesize chiral crystals of chiral inorganic materials for further observation and analysis and has a wide range of reagents, which greatly facilitated my research.
I am also working on fabricating devices to detect spin-polarized states generated by chiral phenomena. While most of my experiments can be conducted on campus, there are occasional cases where external equipment is needed. In such situations, Professor Togawa arranges access to facilities at other universities, which has been incredibly helpful.
Although I am still learning Japanese, I rarely encounter language barriers in my research life. My professor and lab members are all very friendly, and even when equipment manuals are only available in Japanese, they kindly explain the instructions in English. We also celebrate each other's birthdays, fostering a warm and welcoming environment.
When I first arrived in Japan, a Japanese tutor helped me with essential tasks such as obtaining a SIM card and setting up a bank account. I can visit the university’s health management center if I feel unwell. Furthermore, I can receive referrals to medical facilities where consultations are available in English, ensuring a safe and comfortable study-abroad experience.
