Who would have imagined that a waitress in a rural restaurant could become a Ph.D. student in Switzerland? Not even me.
In this post, I want to share my journey from serving tables to pursuing a Ph.D. abroad. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s this:
“Change places, change your life.”
1. Life Never Goes as Planned – My Escape from Japan
Motivated by a Negative Emotion: The Need to Escape
Back in middle school, I dreamed of going abroad. I didn’t like anything about my surroundings—bullying, gambling, suicides, money problems. The future terrified me. I knew that if I followed the same path as those around me, my life would turn out the same way.
The only way out was studying. It was the one opportunity equally available to everyone, regardless of background.
I didn’t know how or when, but for some reason, I had already decided: I would go to France.
I worked hard, passed the entrance exam for a top public high school, and looked forward to a bright future.
Expectation:
✔ Get into a top university → ✔ Secure an international career → ✔ Build a better life
Reality:
❌ Surrounded by geniuses → ❌ Rank 283 out of 333 in class → ❌ Struggled to keep up
High school was filled with endless exams, but for the first time, I felt comfortable among classmates and teachers who encouraged individuality. It was tough, but I made wonderful memories with friends—some of whom I still keep in touch with after 15 years.
2. From Exam Failure to Serving Tables
Rejected from the University of Tokyo
I studied until I got sick. Despite my efforts, my highest rank was 97 out of 333.
When I failed the entrance exam for the University of Tokyo, my dream shattered.
I did pass the Tokyo University of Science, but being a private university, the tuition fees were overwhelming. I applied for a student loan, but the payment deadline came before the loan was processed. I called, hoping for an extension, but was denied.
I had no choice but to give up my admission.
Moving to the Countryside – Searching for Any Job
With no university to attend, I moved to my grandmother’s house in the countryside.
How rural? Imagine a town with 1/250th of Tokyo’s population, surrounded by mountains, crystal-clear rivers… and giant insects.
I needed money to survive and to retake the university entrance exams, but jobs were scarce. With no local connections and only a high school diploma, my options were limited:
- A DIY home improvement store
- A Japanese noodle restaurant
I applied to the DIY store first. Rejected.
That left me with one last chance—the noodle restaurant.
I had never worked in a restaurant before, so during my interview, I desperately convinced the owner that I would do my best.
Finally, I got the job.
“You’re Fired!!!” – My First Three Days in a Restaurant
I had no experience and no idea what I was doing, but I started immediately.
Day 1: Serve water, take orders, relay them to the kitchen, carry dishes, handle payments, clean tables.
Day 2: Slightly better, but still struggling.
Day 3: Disaster.
It was an extremely busy lunch rush. I shouted my order to the kitchen, but my voice was drowned out by the chaos. Worse, my dialect made my pronunciation unclear, especially when calling out numbers.
Frustrated, the owner screamed:
“YOU’RE FIRED!!!”
I needed this job. I had no backup plan.
So, I ignored her words and kept working.
My First Paycheck: 650 Yen Per Hour (5.72 CHF)
On payday, I held my first self-earned cash. Even though my hourly wage was only 650 yen (5.72 CHF in 2014), it felt incredible.
I learned to read customers’ minds. Many regulars never said what they wanted, just:
“The usual!”
If I asked, “What is that?”, they got annoyed. So, I memorized every regular customer’s order.
During peak hours, over 200 customers came in within three hours, yet only two staff members were working the floor. My ability to multitask skyrocketed.
3. Studying Alone – The Bookstore Became My Teacher
After work, I continued studying alone.
I had no PC, no internet, no ChatGPT, no teachers.
If I got stuck, my only solution was to buy textbooks. Luckily, the town had a well-stocked bookstore, which became my second home.
Through trial and error, I developed efficient study techniques, which later helped me as a tutor.
I followed this routine for two years.
4. Another Failure – Choosing a Different University
Failed Again.
Even after two years of studying, I failed the University of Tokyo entrance exam again.
I couldn’t afford to travel far for another exam. My last option was to choose a nearby public university where my exam score was already accepted.
The good news?
✔ Located by the Pacific Ocean (I love Ocean)
✔ Public university (lower tuition fees)
✔ Three-year graduation program instead of four
To make up for lost time, I decided to graduate in three years instead of four.
5. Work, Work, Work. Study, Study, Study.
Part-Time Jobs – Balancing Work and School
Despite tuition exemptions (thanks to my good grades), I still had to pay entrance fees, living expenses, and support my family.
I juggled multiple part-time jobs:
✅ Private tutor – 16 students
✅ University library assistant
✅ Pharmacy clerk
✅ International exchange office assistant
✅ After-school tutor
✅ Student cafeteria (I quit after one day…)
To graduate in three years, I had to complete a four-year course load with an average score of 90%.
Here’s an example of my daily schedule:
📌 7:30 – Wake up & breakfast
📌 8:30 – Classes
📌 12:45 – Lunch
📌 13:00 – Pharmacy job
📌 17:30 – Private tutoring
📌 22:00 – Home
📌 23:00 – Dinner & study
📌 24:00 – Sleep (more like fainting)
Despite everything, I graduated in three years with excellent grades.
And this time, I finally passed the entrance exam for the University of Tokyo!
6. The Unexpected Path to a Ph.D. Abroad
At first, I planned to stay in Japan for my Ph.D. But one day, my professor said:
“Why don’t you go abroad? In other countries, Ph.D. students get a salary.”
I had no idea this was possible! Getting paid to study? For someone who always struggled financially, this was a game-changer.
I decided on France.
But finding a Ph.D. position abroad was far harder than I expected.
I read research papers, emailed professors, wrote motivation letters… No response.
Until one day, I met a PI from Paris who changed everything.
She said: “Why don’t you come as a technician first and look for a Ph.D. position from abroad?”
I took the chance.
And that’s how my journey from a rural waitress to a scientist abroad truly began.
To be continued…
