MEXT Scholarship (Graduate Students) 2017

[Frida]

I asked a friend in Japan who was a former scholar regarding the credit card requirement, she said it's not required since the bank account will suffice, and when we arrive, the school will help us open our account anyway

Will they really? I went as an exchange student to Germany some years ago and I was totally on my own, so that is what's on my mind right now with Japan, that I will get there and will have to find a way to do all those things by myself and go ask where, when, how for everything without a guide XD I hope you are right.

 

[glamette]

Hi all, I also got my departure details from my consulate. It seems like flights from April 2nd-3rd are the preferred dates since that's what I was assigned as well. My Uni gave me an enrollment schedule and I'll arrive exactly one week before classes start and a few days before the entrance ceremony. I was not expecting to hear anything so soon so it was a nice surprise. Hopefully, everyone else gets their tickets soon.

I'm also planning on getting a cheap data+talk sim card to use with my current iPhone. I got a cheap AU flip phone plan with just talk and text when I was an exchange student a few years ago and I really missed having a smartphone with data. So everyone else might want to think about how much they'll want/need access to data while they're in Japan.

 

[indojindesu]

Will they really? I went as an exchange student to Germany some years ago and I was totally on my own, so that is what's on my mind right now with Japan, that I will get there and will have to find a way to do all those things by myself and go ask where, when, how for everything without a guide XD I hope you are right.

They do help us set up the bank account and everything! I have a few friends who got selected for this and other Scholarships before. Everyone says that the university helped them with the bank stuff!

 

[Kiraboshii]

They do help us set up the bank account and everything! I have a few friends who got selected for this and other Scholarships before. Everyone says that the university helped them with the bank stuff!

Well... Keio didn't when I was on exchange, so I hope they do this time! Haha. But even if universities don't, if you apply for your bank account in an area that gets a lot of students (and exchange students!) they probably know how to compensate for that. The bank I set up my account in last time had this amazingly friendly 'guard' (he was quite old so I think he was more just a uniform and a friendly face at the entrance). He would go up to anyone who stared blankly at the teller signs and help us pick out the right form and make sure we filled out everything and explained why we needed a hanko and were we could get a suitable one for cheap (Daiso ones were a-OK for us).

So probably even without official university help, looking blank and confused might garner you some sympathy. Or ask for help from a dorm leader/RA/student support/etc.

 

[trish^_^]

Will they really? I went as an exchange student to Germany some years ago and I was totally on my own, so that is what's on my mind right now with Japan, that I will get there and will have to find a way to do all those things by myself and go ask where, when, how for everything without a guide XD I hope you are right.

My friend said it will be the international student affairs office (or any similar office in your univ) who will assist in these things. I'm also assuming that they will assist as well since my univ letter indicates a schedule which states that after arriving, I will be opening an account, attending orientation, and taking the Japanese placement test. She also said that once we are in Japan, it's no longer the embassy or MEXT who will assist in getting us settled in, but rather the school.

 

[trish^_^]

Well... Keio didn't when I was on exchange, so I hope they do this time! Haha. But even if universities don't, if you apply for your bank account in an area that gets a lot of students (and exchange students!) they probably know how to compensate for that. The bank I set up my account in last time had this amazingly friendly 'guard' (he was quite old so I think he was more just a uniform and a friendly face at the entrance). He would go up to anyone who stared blankly at the teller signs and help us pick out the right form and make sure we filled out everything and explained why we needed a hanko and were we could get a suitable one for cheap (Daiso ones were a-OK for us).

So probably even without official university help, looking blank and confused might garner you some sympathy. Or ask for help from a dorm leader/RA/student support/etc.

I was wondering about the need for hanko. I read somewhere the our personal signatures will suffice but there may be some restrictions so it would still be better to have one. So a daiso one would work? No need to have a personalized one created and registered at the city hall to make it "official"?

 

[madphysicist]

I didn't get the dormitory place I wanted so I was a bit bummed... but I found a sharehouse that looks a lot nicer and provides all kitchen stuff etc., hope that works out! Bit more expensive but not much I can do about that : / I do prefer to live with Japanese people not exchange students though so it might work out better.

I was wondering about the need for hanko. I read somewhere the our personal signatures will suffice but there may be some restrictions so it would still be better to have one. So a daiso one would work? No need to have a personalized one created and registered at the city hall to make it "official"?

Some banks will let you just sign your initials, others will ask for a hanko. They will accept a hanko from the 100 yen shop, no need for it to match your actual name! You only need to register hanko in exceptional cases and this is not one of them.

If they give you a choice probably better just to sign because you can lose a hanko...

 

[hsark]

I asked a friend in Japan who was a former scholar regarding the credit card requirement, she said it's not required since the bank account will suffice, and when we arrive, the school will help us open our account anyway

we get jp post account, its quite limited(backwards for me) and has no extra bells and whistles but does the job. i highly recommend you open up a debit card with citi bank or the likes in japan who have English staff .... plus also setup up your home debit/cheque/ credit card to work in Japan some banks automatically put limits on your card on international use so check while your at home.

 

[Sosoighile]

Hi, I also got accepted at nagoya university to resume in April . I already received my plane tickets to leave on April 2nd. have u received any information on housing placement from the university?

 

[hsark]

Hi, I also got accepted at nagoya university to resume in April . I already received my plane tickets to leave on April 2nd. have u received any information on housing placement from the university?

Yup, i got placement last week my supervisor sent me some details but had to also contact the international office directly.... My embassy will give us tickets middle of next month.

 

[Sosoighile]

Yup, i got placement last week my supervisor sent me some details but had to also contact the international office directly.... My embassy will give us tickets middle of next month.[/QUOTE

Were you also accepted at nagoya university??, if yes, what department and school are you in??. Mine is the graduate school of engineering, department of civil engineering and architecture.

 

[AruanM]

Were you also accepted at nagoya university??, if yes, what department and school are you in??. Mine is the graduate school of engineering, department of civil engineering and architecture.

Hey there Sosoighile, I'm in Nagoya University as well =), but in the Graduate School of Law (technically, we all go there as researchers, right?). You had asked earlier whether there were news regarding our dorms... well, I have been contacted in order to apply to a dorm, but I haven't received a reply on it yet. They informed me that by the end of the month we should have news on the matter.

 

[Sosoighile]

Hey there Sosoighile, I'm in Nagoya University as well =), but in the Graduate School of Law (technically, we all go there as researchers, right?). You had asked earlier whether there were news regarding our dorms... well, I have been contacted in order to apply to a dorm, but I haven't received a reply on it yet. They informed me that by the end of the month we should have news on the matter.

Yes ,

Hey there Sosoighile, I'm in Nagoya University as well =), but in the Graduate School of Law (technically, we all go there as researchers, right?). You had asked earlier whether there were news regarding our dorms... well, I have been contacted in order to apply to a dorm, but I haven't received a reply on it yet. They informed me that by the end of the month we should have news on the matter.

Thank you for your reply. Yes, we will start as research students. As for the accommodation, I was only contacted to apply, still waiting here for the results. Hopeful that good news would come.

 

[Sosoighile]

Hey there Sosoighile, I'm in Nagoya University as well =), but in the Graduate School of Law (technically, we all go there as researchers, right?). You had asked earlier whether there were news regarding our dorms... well, I have been contacted in order to apply to a dorm, but I haven't received a reply on it yet. They informed me that by the end of the month we should have news on the matter.

Thank you for your reply. Yes, we will start as research students. As for the accommodation, I was only contacted to apply, still waiting here for the results. Hopeful that good news would come.

 

[Jaff XXI]

Hey guys, I have just registered to JRef. I also got the MEXT scholarship for this year, I'm attending The University of Tokyo. I hope I had found out about this forum earlier, there's a lot a good information here. Congratulations to all of you for getting the Scholarship, maybe we could meet in Japan.

 

[AruanM]

Hey everyone,
Yesterday my local consulate promoted an instruction meeting for all MEXT students, informing all necessary information from cultural shock experiences to bureaucratic procedures at our arrival. Really worth it.

From that meeting, I really would like to share with you the following universal advises given by the consulate personnel. Most of them are known to us, but who knows. This might help someone. Here are the tips:
- Think of bringing small gifts from your local country in a reasonable quantity, as there will be lots of situations in which they will come in hand (preferably, small items that do not spoil and that somehow represent your culture). Something special to your adviser is a good idea as well (I'll personally bring a kg of a nice coffee);
- Think of preparing professional cards to hand out, as they're quite common in Japanese culture even among people that are not executives (at least I've been told so);
- Avoid informing other people of the values regarding your scholarship, specially Japanese people. Some might think that this is an unfair treatment, as Japanese people don't receive a lot of welfare assistance from their government;
- If you are from an undeveloped country as I am, most likely you have a lot of compatriots working on "second class jobs" that are frowned upon by the Japanese society. Therefore, don't be afraid to state that you are a scholarship student, as this will change other's treatment towards yourself;
- If you leave Japan for more than a month, you won't receive the scholarship for that respective month. More precisely, you have to be at least one day of a certain month inside Japan in order to receive the financial aid for that month;
- Never confront your teachers, even when you know you are right on the subject;
- Never say no to an invitation regarding drinking after working/studying period, specially when made by someone above your position;
- Be flexible. We are bound to have some bad experiences, and it's up to us to know how to deal with them properly;
- Don't get pregnant, or don't get other people pregnant. Really, this was an advice;
- Don't get sick, as you will pay a reasonable sum of money for healthcare treatment. Sleep well and eat well.

That's what I can remember. Thanks for your attention!

 

[indojindesu]

Hey everyone,
Yesterday my local consulate promoted an instruction meeting for all MEXT students, informing all necessary information from cultural shock experiences to bureaucratic procedures at our arrival. Really worth it.

From that meeting, I really would like to share with you the following universal advises given by the consulate personnel. Most of them are known to us, but who knows. This might help someone. Here are the tips:
- Think of bringing small gifts from your local country in a reasonable quantity, as there will be lots of situations in which they will come in hand (preferably, small items that do not spoil and that somehow represent your culture). Something special to your adviser is a good idea as well (I'll personally bring a kg of a nice coffee);
- Think of preparing professional cards to hand out, as they're quite common in Japanese culture even among people that are not executives (at least I've been told so);
- Avoid informing other people of the values regarding your scholarship, specially Japanese people. Some might think that this is an unfair treatment, as Japanese people don't receive a lot of welfare assistance from their government;
- If you are from an undeveloped country as I am, most likely you have a lot of compatriots working on "second class jobs" that are frowned upon by the Japanese society. Therefore, don't be afraid to state that you are a scholarship student, as this will change other's treatment towards yourself;
- If you leave Japan for more than a month, you won't receive the scholarship for that respective month. More precisely, you have to be at least one day of a certain month inside Japan in order to receive the financial aid for that month;
- Never confront your teachers, even when you know you are right on the subject;
- Never say no to an invitation regarding drinking after working/studying period, specially when made by someone above your position;
- Be flexible. We are bound to have some bad experiences, and it's up to us to know how to deal with them properly;
- Don't get pregnant, or don't get other people pregnant. Really, this was an advice;
- Don't get sick, as you will pay a reasonable sum of money for healthcare treatment. Sleep well and eat well.

That's what I can remember. Thanks for your attention!

Thanks a lot Could you post this in our facebook group as well? I think many countries wont have the meeting/briefing thing so it would help other candidates a lot!

 

[madphysicist]

Thanks for posting the info, although I don't quite agree with all the advice...

- Never confront your teachers, even when you know you are right on the subject;
- Never say no to an invitation regarding drinking after working/studying period, specially when made by someone above your position;

I think you can disagree with your teachers or supervisors, just be polite about it and know when to give up... Well, that could be general life advice XD

If you have a good reason to decline an invitation (you don't drink alcohol, you have a previous commitment etc.) I'm sure they would understand. Although of course I'd encourage everyone to socialise with their colleagues.

- Avoid informing other people of the values regarding your scholarship, specially Japanese people. Some might think that this is an unfair treatment, as Japanese people don't receive a lot of welfare assistance from their government;

Well don't brag about it, but when it's come up in conversation I've told my Japanese friends, and they weren't rude or resentful about it. It's not like we were simply handed the scholarship - just look at the length of this thread! lol

- Don't get pregnant, or don't get other people pregnant. Really, this was an advice;

I wonder if they've had problems in the past...

 

[ssetiawan]

Hey everyone,
Yesterday my local consulate promoted an instruction meeting for all MEXT students, informing all necessary information from cultural shock experiences to bureaucratic procedures at our arrival. Really worth it.

From that meeting, I really would like to share with you the following universal advises given by the consulate personnel. Most of them are known to us, but who knows. This might help someone. Here are the tips:
- Think of bringing small gifts from your local country in a reasonable quantity, as there will be lots of situations in which they will come in hand (preferably, small items that do not spoil and that somehow represent your culture). Something special to your adviser is a good idea as well (I'll personally bring a kg of a nice coffee);
- Think of preparing professional cards to hand out, as they're quite common in Japanese culture even among people that are not executives (at least I've been told so);
- Avoid informing other people of the values regarding your scholarship, specially Japanese people. Some might think that this is an unfair treatment, as Japanese people don't receive a lot of welfare assistance from their government;
- If you are from an undeveloped country as I am, most likely you have a lot of compatriots working on "second class jobs" that are frowned upon by the Japanese society. Therefore, don't be afraid to state that you are a scholarship student, as this will change other's treatment towards yourself;
- If you leave Japan for more than a month, you won't receive the scholarship for that respective month. More precisely, you have to be at least one day of a certain month inside Japan in order to receive the financial aid for that month;
- Never confront your teachers, even when you know you are right on the subject;
- Never say no to an invitation regarding drinking after working/studying period, specially when made by someone above your position;
- Be flexible. We are bound to have some bad experiences, and it's up to us to know how to deal with them properly;
- Don't get pregnant, or don't get other people pregnant. Really, this was an advice;
- Don't get sick, as you will pay a reasonable sum of money for healthcare treatment. Sleep well and eat well.

That's what I can remember. Thanks for your attention!

Hey AruanM. Thanks a lot for sharing the advices here. They will certainly be very useful for lots of us.

Anyone here applied for one of UTokyo's dormitories? Have you got the announcement from the housing office? Today is already 24th Feb and I am getting worried regarding my accomodation.

 

[Salpies]

I feel lucky that everything was so easy with my dormitory. The university contacted me without me saying anything and told me that they'd allocated me a room, here's all the info, see you soon sort of thing. They're even offering to comp my domestic travel from Osaka to Hiroshima, so yeah. I feel really lucky! I got a similar date to everyone else; April 2nd. It's starting to feel real, finally.

 

[Kiraboshii]

I feel lucky that everything was so easy with my dormitory. The university contacted me without me saying anything and told me that they'd allocated me a room, here's all the info, see you soon sort of thing. They're even offering to comp my domestic travel from Osaka to Hiroshima, so yeah. I feel really lucky! I got a similar date to everyone else; April 2nd. It's starting to feel real, finally.

Are you flying to KIX? I got my ticket to Haneda! I was hoping there would be more MEXT people on the plane to get all hyped with.

Edit: oh wow for some reason in my head I kept reading "Hiroshima" as "Hokkaido " this whole time. Of course you'd be going to KIX!

 

[AruanM]

Thanks a lot Could you post this in our facebook group as well? I think many countries wont have the meeting/briefing thing so it would help other candidates a lot!

Indojindesu, could I kindly ask you to forward this info to the facebook group? I registered there with my gf account, and to be quite honest I don't remember her password.

Thanks for posting the info, although I don't quite agree with all the advice...

I think you can disagree with your teachers or supervisors, just be polite about it and know when to give up... Well, that could be general life advice XD

If you have a good reason to decline an invitation (you don't drink alcohol, you have a previous commitment etc.) I'm sure they would understand. Although of course I'd encourage everyone to socialise with their colleagues.

Well don't brag about it, but when it's come up in conversation I've told my Japanese friends, and they weren't rude or resentful about it. It's not like we were simply handed the scholarship - just look at the length of this thread! lol

I wonder if they've had problems in the past...

madphysicist, I agree with you in some points. Concerning the "I don't drink" part, they gave a very good suggestion: if you don't drink, ask for a beer anyway and just sip your mouth in the cup, so you don't "break the kanpai ritual". After that, just don't drink, and people won't fill your cup. That way you won't be "that annoying guy", and won't go against your preferences either.

 

[indojindesu]

Indojindesu, could I kindly ask you to forward this info to the facebook group? I registered there with my gf account, and to be quite honest I don't remember her password

Okay!

 

[Kiraboshii]

madphysicist, I agree with you in some points. Concerning the "I don't drink" part, they gave a very good suggestion: if you don't drink, ask for a beer anyway and just sip your mouth in the cup, so you don't "break the kanpai ritual". After that, just don't drink, and people won't fill your cup. That way you won't be "that annoying guy", and won't go against your preferences either.

Another common way I've seen people deal with this is to go to the events and order tea/other non-alcoholic drink. If questioned, they reply that they can't drink alcohol or have allergies. This is considered a 'good enough' reason in the sense that it won't have people questioning you more and you'll still be involved in the social atmosphere c:

 

[madphysicist]

Sure if you want to join the party you can just drink non-alcoholic drinks and I'm sure no one will mind. However if you just don't like going to drinking parties for whatever reason, I'm sure that other people will respect that too. What I meant to say is, I don't think "never say no to an invitation" is good advice. Just give your reasons so that no one's offended.