Scholarship, Study, & Life in Japan

Nur Ahmadi / Etoser ITB ’06

Quick Overview

MEXT/Monbukagakusho Scholarship (文部科学省奨学金Monbukagakushō Shōgakukin), formerly known Monbusho scholarship established in 1954

To date, approx. 65,000 students from 160 countries were granted this scholarship

Scholarship features:

Round-trip airfare, free admission & tuition fees, monthly stipend

Types of scholarship:

Research/graduate students, teacher training students, undergrad univ students, Japanese studies students, college of technology students, special training college studtents, young leader’s program (YLP) students

Scholarship Scheme

Embassy recommendation

Through Japanese Embassy in Jakarta

Get the scholarship first, the univ later

Japanese university recommendation

University recommedation

Get the univ first, the scholarship later

Through univ to univ MoU

Application from outside Japan

Domestic selection

Application in Japan

Scholarship Scheme

Scholarship Procedure (My Experience)

Why Tokyo Tech?

Leading tech univ in Japan

Reputable in the world

Located in central Tokyo

Near KBRI Tokyo

Active PPI (Tokodai)

Strong relation with ITB

Many muslim activities

Timeline

Application deadline (December 2010)

Interview (December 2010)

Notification for university acceptance (March 2011)

MEXT Scholarship candidate selection (May 2011)

Final MEXT scholarship notification (July 2011)

Visa & Pre-departure orientation (August 2011)

Departure: Jakarta to Tokyo (September 2011)

Entrance ceremony & start the study (October 2011)

Document Preparation

Application form

Degree certificate

Academic transcript

English proficiency certificate

Curriculum vitae

Research proposal

Recommendation letter

Interview Process

3-5 Professors as interviewers

Around 30 minutes

Direct (face-to-face) or video/voice call

Typical questions:

Personal story

Motivation

Research experience

Topic related to research

Future goal

Waiting Time

Wait and pray for the best

If you’re not confident enough, apply to several other

univs in parallel

It’s normal in the west. In the east, you have to explain well to

the professor in case you reject the univ (offer) later.

Prepare for the life & study in your chosen univ

Language

Food & mosque

Housing

Keep contact with professor

Notification Samples

Life in Japan: Muslim Activities

Life in Japan: Ramadan & Eid

Life in Japan: Traveling & Culture

Life in Japan: Tokyo City Tour

Life in Japan: Happy Moments

Useful Links

Monbukagakusho Scholarship

http://www.id.emb-japan.go.jp/sch.html

Tokyo Institute of Technology

http://www.titech.ac.jp/english/graduate_school/

PP Tokodai

http://ppi-tokodai.net/

Study in Japan

http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/index.html

Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)

http://www.jasso.go.jp/index_e.html