MEXT Scholarship for Postgraduate 2009: Post Application

[clockworkorange]

How come i cannot see any pictures wan?

I clicked on the link and got to Ms. Yin's page......do i have to add you guys as frens first?

 

[jim84]

clockworkorange,
yea, you may have to add us

kouki,
i use normal post (call the sea parcel), by ship.
RM 97.60 for 20kg
Just do it at the normal post office.
i shipped a lot of books, including textbooks, my unread magazines and more books. =p my bookshelf is all full now.

You may want to ship some heavy stuff, like maybe sports equipments. I saw people from other countries ship all kinds of stuff. There is an indian lady who brought her 'ka chang' - special pans, roller, ingredients to make curry and capati (she makes from scratch from flour every dinner), 凄いですね.

some brought wine, coffee and chocolates from europe, brazil etc.
reduce your luggage pieces, it will be troublesome if you're travelling alone, and transits a lot on different modes of transportations. I had 4 pieces, and it would be literally impossible for me to drag it all the way to my dorm if not of my friend who met me at the airport.
Others are lucky cause they got shuttle vans waiting for them at the airport.
So, for heavy items (allowed ones), i advise ship 1 month before you go, it will arrive shortly after you do.

 

[kouki]

Did you ship your CDs or DVDs? I am curious whether they will pass the custom safely or not

 

[jim84]

yup. Safe and sound
i shipped 100pcs (organized nicely in a zipper CD holder) with my 1st shipment.
Btw, if you are thinking about buying extra storage for data, the hardisk price in Japan is still ok. I got my 1TB external HDD at about RM400 today. Is it cheaper than m'sia?

 

[kouki]

>ooilingfan

Are those empty discs or loaded with data?

Hard Disc
1TB is about RM350 in Low Yat, just checked it from webpage... I think you can ask for discounts. But the price in Japan sounds OK for me... No wonder the Japanese said the PC are very cheap in Japan (compared to their standard of living la, of course)

 

[jim84]

>ooilingfan
Are those empty discs or loaded with data?
Hard Disc
1TB is about RM350 in Low Yat, just checked it from webpage... I think you can ask for discounts. But the price in Japan sounds OK for me... No wonder the Japanese said the PC are very cheap in Japan (compared to their standard of living la, of course)

yup
if you are spending yen converted from RM, it's almost the same price.
If you earn yen and spend yen, it's very cheap.

my discs are loaded with data. Downloaded drama and music.
THey didn't open the box. Maybe just x-ray scan.
Unless your whole box is full of CDs, it may be suspicious.
I packed it together with my books, stationeries, a few clothes, sports equipments. So it seems normal that it belongs to an honest student. =p hahaha.

 

[menrui]

ooilingfan is so good at singing

 

[clockworkorange]

so is everyone busy in japan or what?

 

[jim84]

hey clockworkorange
yea, guess everyone's pretty busy =)
kinda quiet here as well
and WOW, new interface? refreshing~!

The new rounds of candidates just passed through their written test, now moving on to interview
Wish them good luck =)
haha, kohai,
and you are our kohai~! paiseh la, you come late, what to do. =p
our intensive course is ending soon..... =(
really wish it is 1 year.... 15weeks is too short.
Enjoyable part finished, now comes the tough one - entrance exam and long lab hours...
oh, forgot to mention
for those coming in Oct, if you think you may be interested in getting a driving license in Japan (be it scooter, motorcycle, or car), do take your exams in M'sia if you haven't done so, if can, get an international license. It's VERY VERY VERY VERY difficult to get one in Japan, and it's FREAKING expensive. My friend tried 8 times before passing.

 

[ykk]

hey clockworkorange
yea, guess everyone's pretty busy =)
kinda quiet here as well
and WOW, new interface? refreshing~!

The new rounds of candidates just passed through their written test, now moving on to interview
Wish them good luck =)
haha, kohai,
and you are our kohai~! paiseh la, you come late, what to do. =p
our intensive course is ending soon..... =(
really wish it is 1 year.... 15weeks is too short.
Enjoyable part finished, now comes the tough one - entrance exam and long lab hours...
oh, forgot to mention
for those coming in Oct, if you think you may be interested in getting a driving license in Japan (be it scooter, motorcycle, or car), do take your exams in M'sia if you haven't done so, if can, get an international license. It's VERY VERY VERY VERY difficult to get one in Japan, and it's FREAKING expensive. My friend tried 8 times before passing.

Sorry for the off-topic but can you tell us a bit more about the intensive japanese course? how many hours a day do you have class? Where are these clases? At the University? are you sitting for JLPT this year?

Thank you

 

[kouki]

Sorry for the off-topic but can you tell us a bit more about the intensive japanese course? how many hours a day do you have class? Where are these clases? At the University? are you sitting for JLPT this year?
Thank you

Well, I think the intensive Japanese course depends on univeristy and it is different on university basis, and some even course-specific. The course, which will be given in the university which you will be attending (in most cases), will give you short test to determine your Japanese proficiency level before you start your intensive course. I think menrui got exempted from the intensive course and heading straight to his lab, right?ooilingfan, how do you all think?

Someone did mention that after being in Japan for quite some time, you will sure pass JLPT Level 1. (But I don't think it is necessary for you to sit for JLPT test when you are in Japan, since it is just one of the ways to proof your proficiency in Japanese)

 

[jim84]

hi ykk,
no problem.

The course is held in universities that have the resources of professional language instructor (usually they are lecturers, professors from the Language Faculty, Japanese linguists). If your university doesn't offer the program, you'll attend the program in another university for that 6months.

The course is divided into a few sub levels, so you will be placed in the most suitable class (according to your proficiency) after sitting through a placement test in the orientation week.
The course content, textbooks and manner of conducting varies from Uni to Uni.
I'll give you an example based on my university (Osaka University)
The course runs for 15 weeks (1 semester) from Monday-Friday.
8:50am - 4:10pm, 4 periods, 90min each, with 1 hour lunch break (pretty standard throughout japan)
For Osaka Uni program, Wednesday classes runs until 12pm, 1pm onwards is 'lab visit'.
However, you may be required to be present in your lab any day of the week when deem necessary by your supervisor (some of my classmates work in their lab after class until 8-9pm, sometimes weekends, very tough).
The course includes various classes, including Grammar (bunpo), presentation (happyou), kanji, essay writing (sakubun), reading and conversation.
Most emphasis is on conversation (as it is essential for your survival in japan), followed by reading and presentation.
The course is very intensive, a lot of self study is expected, with a lot of homework, tests, quizzes and presentations (in nihongo of course).

JLPT is held twice a year here. After the course, you should be able to pass JLPT 3 without much trouble. If your level if high, you may go for level 2.
I planned to go for JLPT end of this year, depending on my progress within this 6 months, i'll choose between JLPT 2 or 3.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[kouki]

>ooilingfan

I heard our license is only valid for 1 year in Japan. I am not sure what would have to be done. I heard that we have to 'convert' it into Japanese driving license. Does that mean that you will have to take the driving test again? However, they said when you fail more, you will pass the test easier the next time. Perhaps it is just rumours.

Owning a car in Japan is not cheap :-( . They have 'shaken' every 2-3 years. And it costs a lot.

 

[jim84]

Well, I think the intensive Japanese course depends on univeristy and it is different on university basis, and some even course-specific. The course, which will be given in the university which you will be attending (in most cases), will give you short test to determine your Japanese proficiency level before you start your intensive course. I think menrui got exempted from the intensive course and heading straight to his lab, right?ooilingfan, how do you all think?
Someone did mention that after being in Japan for quite some time, you will sure pass JLPT Level 1. (But I don't think it is necessary for you to sit for JLPT test when you are in Japan, since it is just one of the ways to proof your proficiency in Japanese)

My friends who were here for years took and pass their JLPT within 3 years in Japan (starting from 0 proficiency, you'll progress faster if you have basics)
Is JLPT important? Yes and No.

Yes, if you want to look for part time job in Japan during your duration of studies. And it's useful as a standard of gauging your level of proficiency throughout the world, just like IELTS/TOEFL as a standard of English.

No, because since you're graduating from a Japanese university and if you speak fairly well, your future employers (within or outside of Japan) won't ask for your JLPT.
But since it's not very expensive, taking it would be a good idea especially at the early stages, with the test as a guide, you are able to gauge your progress.

BUT, like ANYone would tell you, no matter how high you score for JLPT, speaking is still of utmost importance. If you can't speak, JLPT 1 won't be able to help you at all. Of course that won't happen to most people unless you're a total social outcast who doesn't leave your dorm/lab for that whole 2-3years.

And yes Kouki, you're right.
There are many many students who skip the intensive course simply because they have studied sufficient japanese back in their home countries. Especially students majoring in Japanese language/culture (quite a big number), and many students from China, Taiwan and Korea have good command of the language.
Whether you are required to attend the course is decided by your supervisor and the Uni admin, not MEXT. Some students who only have moderate command are exempted as well because their program are conducted in English, and their professors want them to start their work immediately.

 

[jim84]

>ooilingfan
I heard our license is only valid for 1 year in Japan. I am not sure what would have to be done. I heard that we have to 'convert' it into Japanese driving license. Does that mean that you will have to take the driving test again? However, they said when you fail more, you will pass the test easier the next time. Perhaps it is just rumours.
Owning a car in Japan is not cheap :-( . They have 'shaken' every 2-3 years. And it costs a lot.

Yup. That's true. Please don't take all my words regarding this ya I'm not well versed in the terms and conditions. Do google around, there are many blogs and forums which provide accurate info.

You can TRANSLATE (please take note, TRANSLATE, not convert ya) your license to Japan License at any JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) throughout the country.

Getting the license to Drive is the most tricky part.
First of all, there are many different classes of vehicles.
Starting from gentsuki (scooter bikes not more than 50cc)
then motorcycle (above 50cc and below 250cc - not sure for the upper limit)
and big bikes - 500cc and above
then there are cars, and other vehicles.

AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND (i may be wrong)
for scooter it's the easiest. If you've already have a motorbike license back in your country. You only need to sit for a 10question written test and score 7 out of 10.
After that you can drive scooter immediately.

For others, i heard you need to sit for written exam, also, but 50 questions and need to score something like 40 and above. Which is very tough.
Part 2, you may need a practical test. And this is VERY VERY VERY easy to FAIL.
A friend of mine tried 8 times.
So, easy to pass after failing? Not too sure. After failing many times? maybe =p
I think only thing you can exempt is taking lessons - which will cost you easily 300,000yen and above. (IF you have a valid license from your country).


COST of vehicles, as a rough reference only (in yen):
Bicycle (old) : Free
Bicycle (new) : 7000-100,000
Bicycle (electrical, new) : 100,000 and above
Scooter (50cc, old): 30,000 - 100,000
Scooter (50cc, new): 120,000 - 300,000
Car (small, old): 400,000 and above
Car (new): 1,000,000 and above

Public transport (average 200-300yen one way, within the city). That comes to 1000yen a day roughly if you switch between buses and different railways. Which = 20000-30000yen a month. Monthly ticket (within 2 fixed station, is about 7000-10000yen per month). I would like to highlight that public transport is not as cheap as you imagined, if you travel a lot. Hence, getting your own transportation for freedom and flexibility can be quite feasible.

SO, transportation is a very flexible, yet difficult to manage thing. There is no ultimate answer. Just depending on your budget, plan, distance of travelling and preference.
Bicycle + walking is the cheapest and some say most environmental friendly + good exercise. Well, depends whether you need to cycle 2-3km one way to campus + a lot of slopes + time rush + cannot stand heat (summer) and cold (winter). Travelling can be both a pain (physically and pain in your wallet) and an enjoyment. So decide wisely. =)

 

[clockworkorange]

See how much info we can get from one question?

Thanks for the info, ooilingfan.

And don't worry la, i'll fully observe sempai-kohai etiquette. I don't really know what's proper sempai-kohai etiquette though. :?

I actually wanted to ask about the language course as well. I keep meaning to ask and then keep forgetting. I know that there's a placement test and then we're placed in classes that are suited to our Japanese language ability. So does that mean those in the more advanced stages finish the course faster? or does that mean they just get to learn more (as in everyone gets the same time frame for language classes and so the more advanced students get to proceed to ever higher levels). I get the feeling that it's more of the former since menrui was exempted from the course. But that could be because his professor kinda exempted him.

Anyway i just thought i'd ask out of curiosity. Because my japanese is crap either way. Plus different universities handle it differently.

Also, since the language course is almost over, do u need to find ur own accommodation? Because from what I gather Monbuko scholars get provided accommodation only for the duration of the language course. Will you have to apply again to the uni for accommodation?

I'd really appreciate the answers. Thank you very much!!!

Btw, i saw the pictures on fb. very nice.

 

[jim84]

hi clockworkorange,

haha, my appologies if i wrote too long replies. ちょっと大変に読む。

As for the language course. I regret to say that all levels will progress independently. Hence, every level will move one level up at the end of the course. But in my view it is of great progress, due to it's intensive content. Imagine students with 0 understanding on 1 April, presently 3 months down the road, are able to do short presentations fully in Japanese and at the end of the course, well qualifies them beyond JLPT 4, or somewhere between 4 and 3.
Those at advanced level are trained vigorously on academic writing, being pushed to make at least 1-2 academic presentations per week.
Menrui is a special case whereby his supervisor insisted it. If he were allowed to follow the program, he would be placed in the most advanced level i suppose.
Generally all levels benefit a lot from the course. So no worries. You will be pushed to your limit. =) no time wasted. If they find that you are unsuitable for the level during the first few weeks, they will move you up or down a level. And no slacking, the sensei are all very strict. =)

After the program, if you feel that your proficiency is still insufficient, you can always take up nihongo as electives (by choosing specific classes like Kanji, grammar, reading, etc). Attending 1-4periods of class for each elective.
My intensive course co-ordinator suggests that i proceed to the higher level next semester (extend another semester of intensive course to join the Sept intake students) but I seriously doubt my supervisor would allow that. (Though my entrance exam is Feb 2010)

Regarding dorm....hmm....it really varies from Uni to Uni, and dorm to dorm. (There are many dorms attached to one Uni, each managed separately)
Some 6 months, some 1 year.
For us, we are staying in JASSO's dorm, and allowed for 1 year. However, due to special circumstances here and excess of rooms available, we can now extend our stay to 2 years. =p
So, please find out with your dorm's management regarding period of stay.
Moving out is easy, but the $$ is not. There is this 'gift money' that costs 3-4 times the monthly rent (rental ranges from 30,000-60,000yen per month) to be paid upfront. Then there is agent fee (10,000-30,000) + deposit (1 mth and above) + misc charges. PLUS, when you move in, you'll be surprised how "new" and "empty" the place is. You even have to buy your own light bulbs, let alone electrical applicances, bedding, furnitures etc...
TO sum up, moving will cost you about 100,000-300,000 or more.
Sharing a house reduces your cost, but may give you more headaches also.
The best solution - move in to an existing senpai's house. Either there is an empty room or the senpai(s) are leaving Japan. You save on all the crap gift money, deposit and agent fee. Saves you a big fortune. Not to mention free furnitures. You simply continue their contract with the owner by paying monthly rental, that's all.

 

[jim84]

Went to the Driving License Department today. Finally got some more concrete info.

You guys may not need it but since we mentioned it, i'll just put it here for reference.

Scooter (also known as gentsuki, or mini biku, or 50cc biku)
You need to only answer 7 out of 10 questions.
Provided you have a valid driving license from your country and able to prove that you have used that license for more than 90days in the country of issuance.
I screwed up this part because my passport is brand new, issued somewhere end of January 2009 (making a prove of residency in m'sia of a merely 73 days). Though holding the license since 2001, i cannot prove that I am residing in m'sia (pretty stupid right? of course I'm in m'sia for the past 25 years if i don't have a passport before Jan 2009, how else could i travel outside the country.).
The best document to prove your immigration status is, to obtain an immigration records from Malaysia, which will take weeks or even months.
However, other documents that can prove your residency in your country may be accepted, for example your university certificate, income tax or prove of employement.
I will try again next week with my University Certificate that states my period of study (3 long years!!). Hopefully, really keeping fingers crossed that it will work next time.
(oh, i'll mention the cost as well =p, money always comes first)
3000yen for translation + 2100yen for processing + approx 1800 for the test

Second point:
If you are opting for motorcycle of less than 125cc
Your test will be 50 questions (and you need to score 45 points). Yes it's crazy.
But the good thing is if you get this one, it automatically qualifies you for scooter (50cc) as well.
The bad news is, you need to sit through a practical test - which is slightly different from Malaysia's.
And you need 2 separate days to do it (1 day for written test, another for practical).
Another bad news, come on!! 45 points out of 50?? MURI!
2 difficult tasks, chances of passing in 1 go? doubtful.
Cost : 3000yen for translation + 2100yen for processing + approx 3000 for the test + practical test fee (i don't know this one).

Reference books + past year questions for studying =p
approx 4000yen.

Cars: no info yet. I'll update when i reach this stage. =p

 

[clockworkorange]

Hey, don't apologize, ooilingfan....

I didn't mean it in a sarcastic sort of way....i meant it in a ..."see what sort of info u get if only u care to ask.." sort of way. although admittedly i just wanted to find out how u guys were doing and i was really REALLY bored.

Thanks alot for the info!! Keep up with the long replies coz then i have something to read when i can't take anymore of my work. I don't really think there'll be much difference with Todai in terms of the language course. But you never know. at any rate, that was useful information. strict senseis...uhuhuhu...have to start putting in more effort to improve my Japanese.

Yeah, i know private accommodation will be super expensive which is why i'm especially worried about this. I'll have to ask Todai's student office once July swings ard.

Regarding transportation....umm....as long as you have any kind of driving license, it's ok in the case of the scooter? Coz i've never rode a scooter before but i driving license.

Btw, is it that hard/expensive to move ard? In your case I mean.....

 

[jim84]

Hi clockworkorange,

Haha, i know, if i were in your position it would be killing me as well.
But look at the bright side, you guys are more well prepared than us. Rushing off within weeks of notification. That time we couldn't get too much details from our senpais, reason being they have been in Japan for years, many things that we're worrying didn't occur to them as a problem to be worried =p
But for us who just came here, we share the same worries. =)

Regarding the language course in Todai, in contrast, i would expect it to be a totally different experience.
=p
Cause in my opinion, these universities, especially reputable ones, have high pride in their own resources. Hence they will have a course uniquely developed by them. Using only textbooks written by their faculty members. Same for Osaka. Most of our textbooks are written by Osaka profs, though sometimes they will use minna no nihongo as additional exercises.
But the outcome wouldn't be much of difference, just the approach and style.

And me moving? Initially i thought of moving out in Autumn this year, but after weighing my options i decided to stay on to save some $. For as long as i can, until i can find a cheap house to move and nice housemates to stay with (quite difficult task).

Oh, as for scooter's case. I think they're looking for a valid motorcycle license from M'sia. In my case i have a B2 license, so what i mentioned is a shortcut way. If you only have D, i'm not sure whether you can take the shortcut for scooter or not. But come to the worst, you only need to sit for a 50question test + maybe a practical that's all. Rules for scooter is similar to bicycle. And they are not as strict on it as they are on motorcycles and cars.
So if you're aiming for just scooter, don't worry too much. =)
I'm just frustrated cause it's just giving me more troubles and taking more time than expected for such a simple thing. Many of my friends did it within hours.

 

[clockworkorange]

Well, at least u all are settled now.

Oh, i didn't really look at it that way in terms of the language course. I suppose that's right...either way, I'll have to brush up on my Japanese.

What I meant is is it hard for you in terms of transport to move ard? I'm assuming it's quite difficult to commute from ur accommodation to ur uni or lab which is why ur keen to get ur own transport...
I guess I'll have to worry about this later once i find out about accommodation and stuff. and if worse comes to worst, I'll probably get a bicycle. Coz rite now, i can't imagine having the money that will allow me to go for another option.

 

[jim84]

well, it is not so much of a problem now.
Though i like the place i stay, quiet, peaceful, up on a hill.
It takes about 30-60 min to cycle to places - campus, shopping, friends' house etc.
Good exercise, but during rainy days it could be hell. And cycling past midnight for 45min, especially when i'm super sleepy and a bit high (after drinking at friend's place), a bit taihen.

Transportation will be big problem for me next semester. Where my lab is at another campus, about 1hr cycling from my dorm, and lots of slopes. So don't wanna put the extra stress on myself after long hours in the lab. Moving to near my campus would be a good option, but then i decided staying here and take scooter would be both cost effective and flexible. Moreover, i like the dormitory life here. It's like a big mansion with lots of people staying together, have dinner together, party together, all inside our own residence! =) Moving out means everything on my own. Including remembering the garbage collection dates, pest control, maintenance.... but sooner or later i'll have to move. Before that I'd like to stay for as long as i can =)
It's horrifying to come back everyday facing 4 walls (bear in mind japanese studio apartments are small), alone.... no social life

 

[ykk]

hi ykk,
no problem.

The course is held in universities that have the resources of professional language instructor (usually they are lecturers, professors from the Language Faculty, Japanese linguists). If your university doesn't offer the program, you'll attend the program in another university for that 6months.

The course is divided into a few sub levels, so you will be placed in the most suitable class (according to your proficiency) after sitting through a placement test in the orientation week.
The course content, textbooks and manner of conducting varies from Uni to Uni.
I'll give you an example based on my university (Osaka University)
The course runs for 15 weeks (1 semester) from Monday-Friday.
8:50am - 4:10pm, 4 periods, 90min each, with 1 hour lunch break (pretty standard throughout japan)
For Osaka Uni program, Wednesday classes runs until 12pm, 1pm onwards is 'lab visit'.
However, you may be required to be present in your lab any day of the week when deem necessary by your supervisor (some of my classmates work in their lab after class until 8-9pm, sometimes weekends, very tough).
The course includes various classes, including Grammar (bunpo), presentation (happyou), kanji, essay writing (sakubun), reading and conversation.
Most emphasis is on conversation (as it is essential for your survival in japan), followed by reading and presentation.
The course is very intensive, a lot of self study is expected, with a lot of homework, tests, quizzes and presentations (in nihongo of course).

JLPT is held twice a year here. After the course, you should be able to pass JLPT 3 without much trouble. If your level if high, you may go for level 2.
I planned to go for JLPT end of this year, depending on my progress within this 6 months, i'll choose between JLPT 2 or 3.

Hope that answers your question.

Thank you for your answers! I thought that there was like one academy where all mext people go to study until they get all the same level of japanese.
My JLPT is level 3. I've been studying japanese for 7 years now, but don't really study at home and go to class only one time a week, two hours. I can't speak fluently and my writting abilities are still quite poor

 

[jim84]

well YKK, long years of exposure does help.
Your strong sub conscious foundation will help you improve a lot once you come here.
Under the right environment, you'll be surprised how fast you learn.
So don't worry, you'll do fine.
I'm joining social circles with more non-english speakers (koreans and japanese) currently to push myself to speak.

Btw, you have already been selected for MEXT 2009 and waiting for July departure right?

 

[jim84]

Thank you for your answers! I thought that there was like one academy where all mext people go to study until they get all the same level of japanese.
My JLPT is level 3. I've been studying japanese for 7 years now, but don't really study at home and go to class only one time a week, two hours. I can't speak fluently and my writting abilities are still quite poor

oh, i forgot, if you're talking about 'academy' type of place. There is. But only for Undergrads. They are called Gaidai (外大 がいだい） where they spend 1 year studying nihongo + core subjects like A level. After that they go for Uni entrance exam, fighting for the best Uni they can get in.
I think there are a few, but i only know of Tokyo Gaidai and Osaka Gaidai (both attached to Todai and Handai).
For this one, you are correct, all of them will reach the same level of Japanese at the end of 1 year, more or less the same. Though they can have up to 5-9 sub levels according to their proficiencies, but i heard each sub level is like a few chapters difference. So the gap is not big, as opposed to postgrad.

But for postgrad/research students no, they go straight to the Uni if the Uni offers intensive course. If not, they go to the nearest Uni which does for 6 months.