MEXT Scholarship (Research/Graduate students) 2018

Is the same thing that happened to me, the same questions. I believe that the issues are already standardized, the MEXT sends to school and the school sends to teacher. After this suffocation of waiting, I think we should all meet in Japan regardless of whether or not in the same university, we should organize a meeting of the FORUM of 2018. I think we'd have a lot to talk. I hope to see you all in Japan fellow applicants.
definitely
 
I wonder how big are the chances to pass the secondary screening? I've heard it is, but still...
 
An update! Just like Santanu suggested me before, I emailed my Professor if he got an update from MEXT. Barely half an hour later he replied: " I returned the document that I would accept you from next April, 2018, to NU's administration office in charge of students exchange two weeks ago. I think the news on it will arrive at you soon."

Turned out I will be a "student for learning language" from April first then be a research student from October, 2018. However, I can take an Entrance Exam in August 2018.

Thank God, I'm less worried now. Thank you, Santanu :)
 
Hello guys!! I got an email from my first choice university congratulating me saying that I have been placed with them! I still haven't got the official announcement form my embassy but I think is pretty safe at this point, I'm so excited can't wait for April to come!!

Hi guys,

I've just stumbled upon this forum so excuse me if I am gonna ask anything or mention anything weird or repetitive. I have recently returned from Japan from a four week holiday and I have more of less decided I really want to pursue my plans of studying in Japan. I have finished my bachelor in Communication & Media Design last summer and I would love to get to know more about cultural differences in communication, SNS and media regarding Japan and European countries. I have done a course previously in cultural differences although I felt that I was no where near finished with this subject. I would also love to learn Japanese since I have had a passion to learn the language for years but I never had the right oppertunities to learn the language in my prior education (our schooling system in The Netherlands doesn't really include any third language outside French, German or sometimes Spanish). As I have two degrees and really would love to have the ability to emerge myself in the Japanese culture and language I am hoping to apply for MEXT for the next year, but I honestly have no idea where to start or what to do. I have read blogs and this thread carefully and there are a lot of good tips, but I am seriously worried by my current lack of Japanese skills that might influence my chances to be picked. I can completely understand that students with a prior knowledge of the language would have more chance of getting in, but I have never been more motivated in my life do achieve something like this and I am willing to put a lot of effort in this oppertunity. I will be taking Japanese language classes starting from January as I am serious about getting more knowledge about the language, but in my opinion there is no better way to learn a language and culture then by being emerged in it on a daily basis (as I experienced the last weeks as I was in Tokyo myself). English has always been my second language and I'd like to think it is on a good enough level to be able to study courses completely in English (I do want to obtain a Cambridge certificate for it in the near future) but I am still at a loss of where to start. I have contacted the local Japanese Embassy but I am still seeing lots of question marks. Would anyone be willing to give me a brief overview of their experience and 'to-do' list who has gone through this appliciation in a European country? Perhaps in the same field of work as well?

Hopefully everyone has had good news and I wish for everyone to be able to pursue such a chance and oppertunity, I can't really describe the feeling I get from having the need of being abroad and willing to study in a different country. Thank you in advance for reading and any advice is highly appreciated!

Hello! I think most of your questions have been answered, but just want to say that you should definitely at least know basic Japanese, going to Japanese classes is a big step but you should also study on your own, this website helped me to get started: The Best Way to Learn Japanese

About the scholarship, beside language knowledge (Advanced English, Basic Japanese), you need to have a solid research project, and you gotta have a solid goal, at least in my experience they didn't expected me to just go and be a research student but to enter the graduate school, and again is very important that you have a clear objective in mind.

Regarding the research proposal there's plenty of examples on the internet, because is not like there's a MEXT specific format, but you just have to know how to write a Research proposal in general, mine for example has an introduction, main goal of research, methodology, timetable, goals and expectations.

Is the same thing that happened to me, the same questions. I believe that the issues are already standardized, the MEXT sends to school and the school sends to teacher. After this suffocation of waiting, I think we should all meet in Japan regardless of whether or not in the same university, we should organize a meeting of the FORUM of 2018. I think we'd have a lot to talk. I hope to see you all in Japan fellow applicants.

I think it would be really nice if we could have a LINE group or something like that before arriving to Japan, so we can support each other, at least in my case I only have one friend in Japan and he lives very far away from me, I also have contact with previous MEXT students from my country but we are going to a foreign country to live for at least 2 years so the more people we know the merrier.
 
It's great to hear so many people have good news! Congrats to you guys! I seriously hope that you have a great time and everything works out like you've planned!

SayuKami, thank you (and congrats)! I've actually signed up for Japanese Courses in my homecountry yesterday so I will start with that in January, I'm also for 99% sure that I will be working part-time at a traditional Japanese restaurant starting from the new year in which I will ask the owners to mostly speak Japanese with me so I can practise my language as well over there as I'm really keen on getting a better grasp of the language.

In terms of the research proposal: I've looked around and I think I have a pretty good idea of how to structure it, I'm still going to look for examples during writing one and setting up a clear goal. I've spend yesterday reading some testomonials which are found on the website of the UK Embassy about MEXT (my own embassy doesn't have any stated on their website) and I read that someone actually finished her research by doing a exibition of her work (it was about paintings I believe) that she made during her time there. Is that also something that is still 'allowed' as any of you guys might have heard? I understand this might be a specific case, but still. I've been in Creative studies so that sounds like a great way and the subject/goal I have in mind would perfectly fit with such an 'end project' but I'm not entirely sure what is the case with that example.

Again so sorry for all my questions, the forum here has helped me out a lot already so thank you so much for this!
 
An update! Just like Santanu suggested me before, I emailed my Professor if he got an update from MEXT. Barely half an hour later he replied: " I returned the document that I would accept you from next April, 2018, to NU's administration office in charge of students exchange two weeks ago. I think the news on it will arrive at you soon."

Turned out I will be a "student for learning language" from April first then be a research student from October, 2018. However, I can take an Entrance Exam in August 2018.

Thank God, I'm less worried now. Thank you, Santanu 🙂:

Heart fully Congratulations FanFan ! :emoji_blush:
I've suggested two people and both of them got the good news !
Unfortunately I'm not getting mine ! It's passed 12 hours and no response from my supervisor.
Don't know whats going on with me ! Hope everything is going fine with my application.....:emoji_fingers_crossed:

I'm praying hard for my result. . . :emoji_clap:
 
Hello guys!! I got an email from my first choice university congratulating me saying that I have been placed with them! I still haven't got the official announcement form my embassy but I think is pretty safe at this point, I'm so excited can't wait for April to come!!

I think it would be really nice if we could have a LINE group or something like that before arriving to Japan, so we can support each other, at least in my case I only have one friend in Japan and he lives very far away from me, I also have contact with previous MEXT students from my country but we are going to a foreign country to live for at least 2 years so the more people we know the merrier.

Congratulations! What university did you apply to?

yeah I'm in. I also keep in contact with 4 fellow applicants from my own country through LINE group. I have several friends from my country either studying/working in various cities in Japan but as you said the more the merrier.
 
In terms of the research proposal: I've looked around and I think I have a pretty good idea of how to structure it, I'm still going to look for examples during writing one and setting up a clear goal. I've spend yesterday reading some testomonials which are found on the website of the UK Embassy about MEXT (my own embassy doesn't have any stated on their website) and I read that someone actually finished her research by doing a exibition of her work (it was about paintings I believe) that she made during her time there. Is that also something that is still 'allowed' as any of you guys might have heard? I understand this might be a specific case, but still. I've been in Creative studies so that sounds like a great way and the subject/goal I have in mind would perfectly fit with such an 'end project' but I'm not entirely sure what is the case with that example.

Again so sorry for all my questions, the forum here has helped me out a lot already so thank you so much for this!

In my own opinion, MEXT Scholarship is very open to any kind of field study and research as long as there are professors in Japan who have the same research interest and are willing to accept you in their laboratory. If you propose a specific research topic and method to the professor you are contacting, I believe they will tell you whether you can do that research in their lab or not. Or perhaps if they are interested in your proposal but think that there are better approaches, they will tell you that too.
 
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Laboratory sounds pretty Scientific but I assume it's just a board term for 'work space' or .. well .. where ever you want to conduct your research?

Once again thank you for all the input, this is really helping me a lot! I'm so excited to start on this crazy ride (while the applications haven't even opened yet). After two degrees I feel like this could be the right path for me.
 
Totally up for the FORUM 2018 dinner, folks! Still waiting here... professor contacted me last week to confirm some details, I just want the wait to be over, please!
 
Heart fully Congratulations FanFan ! :emoji_blush:
I've suggested two people and both of them got the good news !
Unfortunately I'm not getting mine ! It's passed 12 hours and no response from my supervisor.
Don't know whats going on with me ! Hope everything is going fine with my application.....:emoji_fingers_crossed:

I'm praying hard for my result. . . :emoji_clap:

Perhaps he is very busy so he hasn't read your email yet. I'm sure you will get a good result too, just like your friend, either from your professor or from embassy.
 
Laboratory sounds pretty Scientific but I assume it's just a board term for 'work space' or .. well .. where ever you want to conduct your research?

Once again thank you for all the input, this is really helping me a lot! I'm so excited to start on this crazy ride (while the applications haven't even opened yet). After two degrees I feel like this could be the right path for me.

Yes Laboratory is only a term used to call a study group under a certain professor or an associate professor. It can be any field: engineering, science, art, design, social studies, languages... everything. They are all called Laboratory.
 
Well ! Well ! Well ! Here I go.... :emoji_heart_eyes:
Literally I'm really really happy.
I'm surprised for an unexpected to get mail from my supervisor. I'm telling this unexpected as at the time when I got mail it was 12:12 (JST).
Anyway I'm quoting his reply....
" Congratulation.
I heard that your application to MEXT has survived. I have already send my confirm to our adminsistration last week.
Our administration said that you have already receive same news.
In these few days I was occupied in teaching. Sorry to miss you in touch.
Anyway, we need to prepare to start.
In this program,
I expect you will be research student from next April and will be formal PH-D student
next October
. "

Thanks to you guys. And All the best who are still waiting for their result. I'm cent percent sure that you will get response soon. And my suggestion is to mail your professor gently he/she will surely reply back. :emoji_relieved:
 
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Well ! Well ! Well ! Here I go.... :emoji_heart_eyes:
Literally I'm really really happy.
I'm surprised for an unexpected to get mail from my supervisor. I'm telling this unexpected as at the time when I got mail it was 12:12 (JST).
Anyway I'm quoting his reply....
" Congratulation.
I heard that your application to MEXT has survived. I have already send my confirm to our adminsistration last week.
Our administration said that you have already receive same news.
In these few days I was occupied in teaching. Sorry to miss you in touch.
Anyway, we need to prepare to start.
In this program,
I expect you will be research student from next April and will be formal PH-D student
next October
. "

Thanks to you guys. And All the best who are still waiting for their result. I'm cent percent sure that you will get response soon. And my suggestion is to mail your professor gently he/she will surely reply back. :emoji_relieved:

Finally, congratulations!! I am happy for you!
 
I want April too!!

Congratulations! What university did you apply to?

yeah I'm in. I also keep in contact with 4 fellow applicants from my own country through LINE group. I have several friends from my country either studying/working in various cities in Japan but as you said the more the merrier.
Keio University =) and yeah LINE group and reunion is on!
 
Hey good morning from me.
If everyone agree I was thinking to create a group in WhatsApp/Line which one will be most comfortable to all.
Please give your opinion.

Btw everyone who applied through embassy is going to Japan in April as far I know.
 
Glad to hear the good news from all of you guys!! :)
Congratulations to all you got positive responses from their professors/universities.

As for me, I got no news yet from my side. I might e-mail my professor from my first choice (Todai).
I'm also set to arrive by April so i'm up for the meet up when we get to Japan. Cheers!
 
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