International Student Interview03 | STUDY in JAPAN VIRTUAL FAIR 2024

International Student
Interview

My advice would be to “enjoy the process”.

Wu Yu-Chen

Country

Taiwan

School

ESP College of Entertainment Tokyo

Major

Guitar Craft course

Contents

Introduction How I Prepared Myself for Life in Japan My Specialized Training College Experience in Japan Life as a Student in Japan Career Plan: Shaping My Future Tips for Students Considering Japan for Their Studies

Introduction

Tak-ke-ho (Hello in Taiwanese!)
My name is Wu Yu-Chen, and I’m from Taiwan. I enrolled in the 3-year Guitar Craft course at ESP College of Entertainment Tokyo in 2022 and am currently in my third year. Recently, I’ve been focused on crafting acoustic guitars.

I chose to study in Japan because it was the ideal place to pursue my career in guitar crafting. Japan not only leads the music industry in Asia but also excels in instrument production. For electric guitars specifically, Japan is home to ESP Guitars, a globally renowned manufacturer, and has an abundance of music shops and workshops dedicated to instrument making.

How I Prepared Myself for Life in Japan

When I was preparing to study in Japan, COVID-19 was spreading worldwide, so the Japanese language course I was scheduled to begin in 2021 was conducted entirely online. Once Japan lifted its entry restrictions, I arrived just three weeks before the entrance ceremony at ESP College of Entertainment Tokyo. During that period, I was overwhelmed by the many procedures required for setting up a long-term stay, such as registering my residence, opening a bank account, and setting up a mobile phone. My Japanese skills were still limited, and when I saw a part-time job posting for ESP Guitars at school, I had to quickly prepare for the interview, which was quite stressful.
Looking back, those challenges don’t seem as difficult now, but adjusting to a new environment and language made even small tasks feel time-consuming.

My Specialized Training College Experience in Japan

One of the most rewarding moments was when a friend mentioned that their guitar felt much easier to play after I adjusted it. Initially, I would even get nervous working on my own guitar. However, through hands-on practice at ESP College, I’ve gained confidence in building and repairing instruments and developed a deep passion for the craft.

Life as a Student in Japan

As a Taiwanese student, studying in Japan wasn’t overly challenging, given the shared use of Chinese characters and the historical and cultural connections between our countries.

Career Plan: Shaping My Future

In the future, I hope to open a guitar repair workshop in Taiwan and grow as a craftsman. To achieve that, I plan to refine my skills at ESP Guitars, where I received an informal job offer, and become someone who truly understands guitar crafting from all angles. With each instrument I build, I’m gaining a better grasp of what sells well and the factors that influence pricing. Although I’m still applying what I learned in school, I want to expand my knowledge and grow to a level where I can be recognized as a master craftsman.

Tips for Students Considering Japan for Their Studies

My advice would be to “enjoy the process.”
I started learning Japanese and left my home country because I had a strong passion and a clear goal to pursue this craft, even in a foreign land. Yet, I made countless mistakes along the way. Guitar crafting requires a lot of manual work, including design, woodworking, painting, and assembly, while also taking into account the physical characteristics of the user. With so many steps, failure is inevitable. But each failure is a learning experience. The same is true for learning a new language and studying abroad—you gain valuable lessons from setbacks. That’s why I would say, “Enjoy the process.” Those who enjoy it are the ones who succeed.