Welcome to my new blog where I'm going to write about the whole process how I got my MEXT scholarship, how I'm preparing for my move in Japan, and my life when I'm already in Japan. First of all, I'm Ikeng and I'm Filipino. My blog's name is a word play on Mabuhay, which is a Filipino word that means 'long live'. I replaced the last syllable, 'hay' with 'hai' which is 'yes' in Japanese. Hehe, what do you think?
Right now, I'm busy preparing for my big move in September. But for the sake of everyone out there who are also aspiring to get this scholarship, I'll be happy to write about my personal experiences and hope that it can provide information as you go through your own journey in getting the MEXT Scholarship. I will try my best to answer your questions.
Guys, I just want to stress that getting this scholarship is very competitive. You have to prepare your hearts to be broken, because sometimes even when you think everything is okay, in the end, you still might not get it. Before you apply, you have to think if this is really want you want and if you have the time and heart to follow through, even if you have failed. Please do your very best and never give up!
When I was in college, I dreamed about going to Japan to study. I have friends who went to Japan under the MEXT scholarship and I told myself that I'm going to do the same thing. Just imagine, living in Japan and studying for free, with allowance every month...I have never wanted anything so badly before. But I know it won't be easy and there are a few things that I needed to do before I qualify for the scholarship.
Please do check out Japanese Embassy's site for the full list of qualifications.
My hurdles:
1. Acquiring 16 years of education
When I graduated college, I only had 14 years of formal education under my belt. Because of that, I decided to enter graduate school. I was working as a call center agent and going to school in the afternoon, it was pretty exhausting! Unfortunately, I failed to get my degree in Community Development. Even so, since I spent about 2-3 years in grad school plus 14 years, that made me pass the number of school years requirement.
2. Learning a bit of Japanese
Before I took up some units in grad school, I previously enrolled in Japanese language classes at the Nihongo Center Foundation in Makati. My language classes proved to be useful when I went to Japan as a tourist last October 2011 but I think it will absolutely be invaluable as I go to Japan as a student. At the moment, I'm brushing up where I have left off by listening to podcasts and writing katakana and hiragana characters.
3. Writing a good thesis proposal
This for me was the hardest part. I suggest that you contact a professor in Japan who is in the same field as you are and ask him/her what good research topics he/she can recommend.
If you got any questions, please feel free to message me. Thanks!
Right now, I'm busy preparing for my big move in September. But for the sake of everyone out there who are also aspiring to get this scholarship, I'll be happy to write about my personal experiences and hope that it can provide information as you go through your own journey in getting the MEXT Scholarship. I will try my best to answer your questions.
Guys, I just want to stress that getting this scholarship is very competitive. You have to prepare your hearts to be broken, because sometimes even when you think everything is okay, in the end, you still might not get it. Before you apply, you have to think if this is really want you want and if you have the time and heart to follow through, even if you have failed. Please do your very best and never give up!
When I was in college, I dreamed about going to Japan to study. I have friends who went to Japan under the MEXT scholarship and I told myself that I'm going to do the same thing. Just imagine, living in Japan and studying for free, with allowance every month...I have never wanted anything so badly before. But I know it won't be easy and there are a few things that I needed to do before I qualify for the scholarship.
Please do check out Japanese Embassy's site for the full list of qualifications.
My hurdles:
1. Acquiring 16 years of education
When I graduated college, I only had 14 years of formal education under my belt. Because of that, I decided to enter graduate school. I was working as a call center agent and going to school in the afternoon, it was pretty exhausting! Unfortunately, I failed to get my degree in Community Development. Even so, since I spent about 2-3 years in grad school plus 14 years, that made me pass the number of school years requirement.
2. Learning a bit of Japanese
Before I took up some units in grad school, I previously enrolled in Japanese language classes at the Nihongo Center Foundation in Makati. My language classes proved to be useful when I went to Japan as a tourist last October 2011 but I think it will absolutely be invaluable as I go to Japan as a student. At the moment, I'm brushing up where I have left off by listening to podcasts and writing katakana and hiragana characters.
3. Writing a good thesis proposal
This for me was the hardest part. I suggest that you contact a professor in Japan who is in the same field as you are and ask him/her what good research topics he/she can recommend.
If you got any questions, please feel free to message me. Thanks!
