MEXT Scholarship 2016 (Research)

[vegeta]

I mean beside the technological aspect, there must be some other reason. I can do my research in other places, they can ask me "Why you picked to do your research in Japan while able to do it in many other countries?". What to say here? xD

Well, I can not tell them: "I dream of living and working in Japan in the field of electronics design engineering. That is why I constructed my research topic"... >> lol can you imagine?

I could mention that I want to learn Japanese language because I like it, and I want to learn about Japanese lifestyles and their experience... and then try to let my country benefit from it, and to teach others what I learned there to help raising up the level of engineering in my country (this reason is so true really, I do hope I can.. but my ambition is to work and live in Japan).

I would really appreciate that you suggest good answers that suites my condition.

I will give you all a detailed reply about my exams next Monday and my interview later on.

Arigatou!

 

[foxfault]

This has been the case in every interview and presentation I've made in Japan, in English or Japanese. I wouldn't worry about the lack of laughs. I think stony silence must be considered the polite way to listen.
I've gotten some surprisingly positive results from interviews that I thought I'd tanked. Hang in there!

Thank you! That is a comfort.

 

[AmerikaJin5]

Government scholarships are often justified as a way for Japan to bring in future leaders from around the world, educate them in Japan and build positive relations with that person so that when they return to their home country, they will be a "bridge" between the two countries. As MEXT scholarship graduates rise through the leadership ranks in companies and governments in their home country, Japan hopes that they will remember their positive experience and help build stronger relations with Japan.
As several other commentators have said, they're not looking for people to work in Japan after graduation (we foreigners in Japan are not yet widely considered valuable or important assets to the Japanese economy).
Instead, talking about how you want to use Japan as a case study and apply the knowledge and connections acquired in Japan to contribute to development in your home country and build stronger relations between the two countries later could be beneficial in an Embassy interview.

This is the approach I took in my interview (last year).
My area of research is composite materials, which involves a combination of disciplines (structural/mechanical engineering, materials science and chemistry, aerospace engineering, and solid mechanics). Thus, collaboration is very beneficial to tackle large problems, by sharing resources, equipment, and intellect. I have made an effort to collaborate with others (outside my group) for research in the past, and I plan to make that a core aspect of my research career in the future.
Basically, during my interview, I emphasized that my research proposal would benefit Japan directly, and I would keep those connections alive and strong once I establish myself elsewhere. I even detailed how, once I become a professor/scientist, I would like to exchange students with my lab in Japan, and allow some of their professors to visit my lab in temporary appointments (rather than limit the collaboration to the exchange of funds and ideas). The interview panel seemed impressed by that attitude...maybe it went towards getting the nomination.

 

[kishimi8]

@kishimi8 That wasn't my intent! I guess several of my points were too late for a lot of folks on here.
At any rate, I meant that as a collection of "best practices" from my experience. I'm not saying you have to do it that way to succeed. I wish you the best of luck!

Oh.. I did not mean to say you were late with the info.. rather I really do appreciate it, as I now know one can be complacent with his future. Lesson learned if it all falls down next time i will be sure to get it right.
Thanks

 

[indojindesu]

Just got out of my interview and exams! There were only three of us at the consulate. :dead:

Exams: English was a breeze. It came first and it wasn't optional for me (even though I'm American). Japanese was difficult but I speak very limited Japanese. We were allowed to turn in a blank exam and one applicant did that. I did one section only before handing it in.

Then I had three hours to blow before my interview. Longest wait ever.

The interview was, unfortunately, not as casual as so many people were lucky to have! I was essentially grilled for 30-40 minutes on my proposal, on why Japan, what benefits I see with my research in the future. And if I didn't answer to the extent they wanted, they'd continue to press the topic. And the three (Japanese) men on the panel were stone-faced -- I'm used to getting at least a laugh or two during interviews, hah! They seemed reluctant to believe I could pull off the "messages" I aim to convey in the art I propose to make. They were also very concerned that I can't speak Japanese, despite the fact the program I want to enroll in is part of the English-speaking Global 30 programs at Keio. I'm really, really grateful for this forum! It prepare me for the really hard-hitting questions, haha!

Overall though, I think it went as well as it could. Now to wait. Patiently.

Dont worry about the Interview! I would rather have this kind of interview than the casual one! This atleast shows that you have indeed prepared your proposal properly and are able to defend it! おつかれさま!! also, dont worry about the Japanese Interviewers. Mine were the same xD good luck! (Its been more than a week since my Interview, cant wait anymore T.T )

 

[heyjude]

This has been the case in every interview and presentation I've made in Japan, in English or Japanese. I wouldn't worry about the lack of laughs. I think stony silence must be considered the polite way to listen.
I've gotten some surprisingly positive results from interviews that I thought I'd tanked. Hang in there!

Good to know! Makes me feel better.

 

[jaduka1]

Passed first screening.

 

[GAugust]

@jaduka1 congrats

 

[vegeta]

Passed first screening.

congratulations!

first screening is before or after the tests? they didn't tell us about it, they told us to come and attend the tests, then if we succeed we go into an interview.

I am more worried about 2nd screening after getting accepted by the university and the embassy.

 

[shiro11]

congratulations!

first screening is before or after the tests? they didn't tell us about it, they told us to come and attend the tests, then if we succeed we go into an interview.

I am more worried about 2nd screening after getting accepted by the university and the embassy.

first screening is after the exams and interview after that you have to contact the universities you chose

 

[eiraku]

Anddddd... it begins...

Good luck getting positive First Screening results guys and gals! (And yeah, First Screening = Tests, Interviews and Medical Checks).

*huddles in a corner with his popcorn anxiously*

 

[jaduka1]

Thanks. What is the percentage of clearing 2nd screening? I heard that is is only 50%.

 

[indojindesu]

Even i passed the first screening guys!!

 

[indojindesu]

Passed first screening.

Congrats!!

 

[shinogi]

Congrats to those who passed!
Hopefully the rest of us also receive some good news soon!

 

[G.Fortin]

Any Canadians applying this time around? The Montreal and Vancouver consulate websites have yet to post information for 2016 departures.

How many of you are in the humanities?

Hi hojoojoh,
Been reading the forum from the start and finally decided to join. Another fellow Canadian here applying from Vancouver. At my interview and exams session on Monday, there were two other candidates applying for the research studies scholarship as well. Just out of curiosity, do you happen to know how many candidates applied through the Montreal consulate? Trying to get a sense of the level of competition across the country.

 

[Rinx]

Congratulations to the people who had passed their first screening

I have been waiting anxiously for the result as I think I screwed the interview up pretty badly.
I appreciate anyone from Malaysia who has passed the first screening to leave a message here! Thank you :3

 

[GAugust]

Even i passed the first screening guys!!

congrats @indojindesu

 

[bononogram]

Hi hojoojoh,
Been reading the forum from the start and finally decided to join. Another fellow Canadian here applying from Vancouver. At my interview and exams session on Monday, there were two other candidates applying for the research studies scholarship as well. Just out of curiosity, do you happen to know how many candidates applied through the Montreal consulate? Trying to get a sense of the level of competition across the country.

Hiya, there were six of us.

I have heard that last year Vancouver sent two, while Montreal and Toronto sent four each.

What is your field?

 

[G.Fortin]

Hiya, there were six of us.

I have heard that last year Vancouver sent two, while Montreal and Toronto sent four each.

What is your field?

Ok sounds good. My field is in Materials Engineering, focusing on aerospace composite materials research. Wonder how many other Canadian engineering students are applying?

 

[vegeta]

I asked our embassy in Amman about the number of to be given scholarships, they said it is 5.

However, what about specialization and field of study? my proposed field is electronics engineering... If there was no engineering student ever from within the applicants, what will happen?

 

[AmerikaJin5]

Ok sounds good. My field is in Materials Engineering, focusing on aerospace composite materials research.

Awesome! That's my field, too!
Where did you apply (preference list), and with which professors? I might know some of them

 

[G.Fortin]

Awesome! That's my field, too!
Where did you apply (preference list), and with which professors? I might know some of them

Hi @AmerikaJin5,

I am applying at Kyoto Institute Technology (Professor Hamada) and Gifu University (Professor Nakai). Both are colleagues that have worked together at KIT.

Professor Hamada founded the Canada-Japan Workshops on Composite Materials, allowing Canadian Schools (including mine: UBC, Vancouver) to collaborate with Japanese researchers in the area of Composite Materials, and especially Composites Manufacturing and Processing.

Which school were you originally from in the states? I am sure my group at UBC (Composites Group) has surely interacted with members of your group at past conferences (SAMPE, ICCM,... etc.). Our group deals primarily with manufacturing and processing (very close ties with The Boeing Company here) and damage modelling.

How about yourself? Feel free to send me a p.m. Still figuring out how to use this forum!

Cheers.

 

[indojindesu]

congrats @indojindesu

Thanku!

 

[AmerikaJin5]

Hi @AmerikaJin5,

I am applying at Kyoto Institute Technology (Professor Hamada) and Gifu University (Professor Nakai). Both are colleagues that have worked together at KIT.

Professor Hamada founded the Canada-Japan Workshops on Composite Materials, allowing Canadian Schools (including mine: UBC, Vancouver) to collaborate with Japanese researchers in the area of Composite Materials, and especially Composites Manufacturing and Processing.

Which school were you originally from in the states? I am sure my group at UBC (Composites Group) has surely interacted with members of your group at past conferences (SAMPE, ICCM,... etc.). Our group deals primarily with manufacturing and processing (very close ties with The Boeing Company here) and damage modelling.

How about yourself? Feel free to send me a p.m. Still figuring out how to use this forum!

Cheers.

@G.Fortin I figured you were at UBC. Sure, let's chat! It wouldn't let me send you a PM...maybe try sending me one.