Japanese Government (MEXT) Alumni Personal Experiences
Name: Arnar Þór (Thor) Jensson
Scholarship program: MEXT Graduate program
University in Japan: Tokyo Institute of Technology (東京工業大学)
Duration of the study: 2003 - 2009
Current occupation: Founder and CTO of Cooori Japan Ltd.
Please give a brief self-introduction.
I have been living in Tokyo for the past 18 years. In 2003 I entered into a wonderful computer science laboratory lead by Professor Furui, a world-known icon in AI. There I studied for 6 years graduating with a Ph.D. in 2009. That same year I founded my company Cooori that focuses on online education using AI.
Why did you apply to join the Japanese Government Scholarship Program?
I had already lived in the USA as an exchange student when I was 18 years old and I had already lived for a short time in several countries in Europe. I wanted to experience a different country with a very different culture. When I went to Japan in the year 2000 on a university graduation trip, it opened my eyes up to the opportunity to conduct my advanced studies in Japan.
Please describe one of the most memorable experiences from your time in Japan.
I came in 2003 and I still live in Tokyo 18 years later. There are too many memorable experiences from my time here. I have two wonderful sons 6 and 7 years old with my Japanese wife. I started a company after my graduation which is going well 10 years later. I have made many good friends here and traveled all around Japan. Standing on top of Fuji and seeing the sunrise is an unforgettable memory.
What did you learn from your stay in Japan and your participation in the Government Scholarship program?
During my university years in Japan, I was under the leadership of Furui sensei who taught me to think critically and creatively. Living in Tokyo, one of the megacities in the world, far away from the comfort of my home country is as well a large life lesson.
What would you say to someone who was considering applying to join the Japanese Government Scholarship Program?
Find a well-known university and a good professor to join. It will have a major impact on your studies and future carrier. Living in Japan is challenging with its language barriers and very different culture but overcoming those will open up large doors of opportunities.
