Dear Prospective graduate students,
To apply for the International Peace and Co-existence Program (IPC) at Hiroshima University, MA and PhD applicants are requested to obtain “provisional consent” from the prospective advisor/supervisor before the admission process. If you wish to have me as your primary advisor, after examining my research background and publications (e.g., university faculty profile, researchmap, and this personal website, etc.), please send me your responses to the following questions via HU-IAO.
I have been receiving (unexpectedly) many inquiries, so please note that I cannot reply to all of them. I will reply to only those e-mails that seem: 1) clearly and honestly responding to my questions, and 2) demonstrating a strong academic background and potential, matching my research and educational expertise.
I’m a (cultural/social) anthropologist, and I can best guide you from anthropological perspectives. Therefore, I welcome candidates who are interested in anthropology and keen to do anthropological research.
Also, at IPC, all courses are taught in English, and the shared language at seminars and research presentations is English, too. Considering this environment, I accept students who will use English as their main language for academic communication, although the graduate school institutionally accepts theses in Japanese. (The research fields are, however, not limited to the English-speaking areas. I can also use Japanese for personal guidance.)
Questions
1. Do you wish to discuss and collaborate in English with international students with various backgrounds and write your thesis in English?
2. Please read the IPC webpages carefully. IPC is an interdisciplinary program, including peace studies, political science, and cultural anthropology. You have to take various courses, especially during your master's. Does the program match your interests?
3. Please check the admission information on the IPC webpage. Which course and selection sections do you aim to apply for (including the application and enrollment period)?
4. How have you studied cultural/social anthropology? Please let me know about the researcher(s), theory(es), or work(s) that have inspired you or that you are currently interested in. I would appreciate it if you could share any relevant and detailed episodes or personal stories.
5. What do you want to research at the graduate school? Please write your current ideas as a research proposal (any academic format) and send it to me. I would like to see how your academic inspiration described in your response to question 4 is guiding your research plans.
Additional information
Hiroshima University, International Admissions Office (IAO): https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/international/huiao
IAO helps international graduate students who wish to contact supervisors at Hiroshima University.
Scholarship and tuition waivers
Please refer to the following webpages and inquire at the relevant sections.
Student Service Group, Economic Support: https://momiji.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/momiji-top/en/life/financial.html
Enrollment Fee Exemption/Deferment and Tuition Fee Exemption: https://momiji.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/momiji-top/en/life/enrollment_fee_exemptiondeferment_and_tuition_fee_exemption.html
Preparation and learning resources
Here are some open-access and reliable resources for new anthropology students. You can start reading any topics you are interested in and follow the works cited (references) to deepen your understanding.
The Open Encyclopedia of Anthropology: https://www.anthroencyclopedia.com/
Perspectives: An Open Invitation to Cultural Anthropology: https://perspectives.americananthro.org/
For how to start writing a research proposal (and doing research), Where Research Begins: Choosing a Research Project That Matters to You (and the World): https://whereresearchbegins.com/