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!
Hello! I have a lot of questions regarding the scholarship.
ReplyDeleteI am already 18 years old and a 2nd year architecture student in Cebu.
According to the MEXT site, I need 12 years of formal education in order to qualify for the undergraduate course and it happens that I'm already in my 12th year. Why did you mention about 16 years of formal education? were you applying for post graduate?
Actually, I'm just like you. Right now, I have never wanted something so bad like this before. I'm actually very positive right now but what bothers me is that do i really need to have excellent grades to pass? My grades are just so so but I guess I'm not a bad student. During my 1st year in college, I was a dean's Lister. But when I reached 2nd year, my parents could no longer support my education. That's why I had to be a working student where my grades really dropped because of difficulty in time management but not to a failing point yet.
Did you scored well in the preliminary exam?
How many times did you apply?
Your response is highly appreciated. It would really be a BIG BIG help :) Thank You
Hi Leah! I mentioned 16 years because I applied for the master's course. I applied 3 times. I didn't have to go through an exam because I am on a special kind of MEXT scholarship.
ReplyDeleteHope that helps and goodluck!
Hi Janice! I am Christian from Davao City. I want to apply for the MEXT scholarship. What do you think is the chance of applicants who have little or now work experience and are fresh from the academe? Do you suggest taking masters here first? I studied for 6 years in college in Ateneo de Davao because I took polsci and econ simultaneously. Can you give some piece of advice?
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot. I highly appreciate your reply.
As long as you have the required no. of schooling, I think it's okay. Have you checked the most recent requirements for Mext？
DeleteHi Janice! Thank you for your reply. Yes I did. Were you a research student under the mext scholarship? I plan to take master of arts in political science. Do you know universities in Japan that cater the best program in social sciences? Thanks a lot.
Deletehey Christian! I went straight as a master's student. i didn't enter as a research student which allowed me to finish in 2 years. I would suggest to do a search on all the schools that offer the course you desire. You might also want to check the ranking of the university. As for me, I didnt mind going to any school, as long as I have the scholarship.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for your reply, Janice! May I also ask how difficult their qualifying exam is? Did you give two recommendations from professors? How long you should wait for the results of the first screening?
DeleteDaghang Salamat!