We release the current statuses of international students in JAIST and the former international students of JAIST who are successfully working all over the world.

1. message from Alumni (Ms. CHINTALAPATI, Soudamini)

My JAIST Journey: Three Years of Growth and Adventure

Hi! I’m Soudamini Chintalapati from India, and three years ago I came to Japan as an international student, not knowing what to expect. I had never studied abroad before, didn’t know any Japanese, and this was my first time away from my country. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I would find, but now I can say that coming to JAIST has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am very glad that I chose JAIST as my first experience abroad. I started here as a doctoral student on a MEXT scholarship, and now I’m continuing as a postdoctoral researcher in the same lab. Our work focuses on bacterial therapy for cancer, which is as fascinating as it sounds!

The campus itself is stunning. With the Tedori River, beaches, Nanatsu Waterfalls, and the Hakusan Mountains surrounding us, it feels like a peaceful place to study and explore. JAIST offers many cultural experiences, which are very helpful for students. There are also dance clubs, baseball clubs, and a well-stocked library, making campus life enjoyable and engaging. But JAIST isn’t just beautiful and vibrant with student life, it’s also a place where research is exciting and meaningful. Here students have the freedom to explore cutting-edge projects, collaborate with international researchers, and work on real-world problems that can make a difference in science and society. One thing I really appreciate about JAIST is how smoothly everything runs, administration, dorms, and research facilities all work efficiently and on time, making life much simpler and allowing students to focus on learning, research, and personal growth.

Living in Nomi City has been a cultural adventure too. I joined activities through the Nomi International Exchange Association, which allowed me to experience international and local festivals, Japanese culture, elementary school programs, and traditional food and clothing. I also participated in volunteering, such as supporting local food pantries and helping those affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in 2024. I’m passionate about painting and Indian classical dance, and living in Nomi City gave me countless opportunities to perform and share my art in international exchange events and cultural programs, as well as to learn traditional Japanese Kutani pottery. I am truly grateful for the chance to connect with people from around the world through creativity. For nature lovers, there are annual hikes in the mountains to collect edible plants and mushrooms, a small adventure every year.

Academically, JAIST integrates coursework and research to bring out the best in students. The program allows us to pursue minor research in different fields to broaden our expertise. Seminars from professors and researchers from institutes worldwide, often conducted in English provide opportunities for collaboration and global connections. Interacting with international students visiting the lab helps us develop new skills and perspectives. Publishing in prestigious journals and contributing to scientific literature is exciting, though challenging, and the guidance from experienced professors is invaluable in navigating hurdles along the way.

JAIST also supports language and career development. Japanese classes on campus, in collaboration with Nomi City, prepare students for the JLPT exams and enable job opportunities in Japanese companies. Life at JAIST is enriched by a strong community of students and friends, many of whom share similar experiences. The student dormitories are conveniently located close to the labs, making it easy to balance long research days with personal time. Frequent and reliable public transportation between JAIST and the city adds to the comfort of daily life.

My experience at JAIST has been truly one-of-a-kind. While there were challenges along the way, the supportive environment, engaging activities, and vibrant community made every moment worthwhile. I’m grateful to my professors here for their guidance and support throughout my journey at JAIST. For anyone considering joining JAIST, I can confidently say that it is a place where you can grow academically, professionally, and personally, while enjoying a truly unforgettable international experience.

At the conference
presenting my poster

Learning to make Mochi
(a Japanese delicacy)

After the graduation
ceremony at JAIST

Making a snow man during the
chilling snowy time at JAIST

One with the lab mates
and Professor

CHINTALAPATI, Soudamini Sai Vimala Veera
Ph.D. in Materials Science (September, 2025)