Monbukagakusho Scholarship for Postgraduate!!
- Thread starter Wingmaker
- Start date
If i spend 50 000 for food then i still have money left.. i dont know how much dorm cost maybe 30 000 per month then theres not much neccessary items to spend anymore.. transportation does not cost much cuz i can walk if the area is nearby..with still so much money left i think ill be going touring around whole of japan.. who wants to join me??
menrui
先輩
- 24 May 2008
- 428
- 0
About the overly generous scholarship, yeah, I noticed that even if we over estimate a bit, there is still alot of money leftover. 170000-160000yen... wow! During my college life, I spent no more then like, 48000yen a month on housing, food, and necessity. Anyways, maybe you guys should think about saving money for something later? For me, no matter how much money i try to save up, i always end up spending it all somehow later. Or you can get a gf/bf, thats always costly haha.
A tour of japan sounds good, but i cant really make that decision right now. i think its way too soon.
abeeyo,
hmmm thats not good... when did you start contacting professors and such? most universities have a deadline at the end of Aug. You should keep trying and perhaps change your approach. Have you tried contacting the international office of your university/department? There are plenty of universities in japan so keep trying. dont worry about no replies or rejections, im sure we all get plenty of those.
A tour of japan sounds good, but i cant really make that decision right now. i think its way too soon.
abeeyo,
hmmm thats not good... when did you start contacting professors and such? most universities have a deadline at the end of Aug. You should keep trying and perhaps change your approach. Have you tried contacting the international office of your university/department? There are plenty of universities in japan so keep trying. dont worry about no replies or rejections, im sure we all get plenty of those.
Abeeyo,
Do not give up easily. Try to send the required documents to the international office of the universities. I aslo in the same situation like you and I sent to 7 universities. It cost me quite a lot but luckily, I am able to get the offer of LoA from some of them. So, maybe you can get some reply from the office if you do as i did. This is just my suggestion and hope it helps.
Do not give up easily. Try to send the required documents to the international office of the universities. I aslo in the same situation like you and I sent to 7 universities. It cost me quite a lot but luckily, I am able to get the offer of LoA from some of them. So, maybe you can get some reply from the office if you do as i did. This is just my suggestion and hope it helps.
My friends,
There are a number of things for you to save money for:
1. House Rental Deposit
Usually after the first year, you would be required to moved out of the student hostels. Then you would need to pay an amount of money to the landlord to rent a room.
2. Furniture in the House
This is after you have moved in to a house off campus.
3. Transportation
Since you are not staying in an on-campus hostel, you will need some sort of transportation. If you are in places other than those big cities, you might need to consider a bicycle or motorbike.
4. Computer/ Electrical Appliances
Well, I think most of us would be needing that.
5. Conferences
Should you advance to postgraduate level, I suppose your supervisor would like you to attend some conferences or workshops. If they are held overseas (in term of Japan), it should eat up a huge amount of your money.
6. Miai/ O-rei
In the seasons such as year-end or o-bon , it is usual for Japanese to give out presents as a token gratitude to those who have taken a good care of them. You might need to save some money for that.
There are a number of things for you to save money for:
1. House Rental Deposit
Usually after the first year, you would be required to moved out of the student hostels. Then you would need to pay an amount of money to the landlord to rent a room.
2. Furniture in the House
This is after you have moved in to a house off campus.
3. Transportation
Since you are not staying in an on-campus hostel, you will need some sort of transportation. If you are in places other than those big cities, you might need to consider a bicycle or motorbike.
4. Computer/ Electrical Appliances
Well, I think most of us would be needing that.
5. Conferences
Should you advance to postgraduate level, I suppose your supervisor would like you to attend some conferences or workshops. If they are held overseas (in term of Japan), it should eat up a huge amount of your money.
6. Miai/ O-rei
In the seasons such as year-end or o-bon , it is usual for Japanese to give out presents as a token gratitude to those who have taken a good care of them. You might need to save some money for that.
Charles Barkley
TNT Basketball Analyst
- 14 Jun 2007
- 560
- 12
The word you are looking for isn't 'hostel' btw; it's 'dorm.'
The dorm I am living in costs 32,000 per month and does no include meals. You are allowed to live there for two years, so if you move to a graduate program, you will have to move. There are, however, other dorms available that would allow you to avoid key money/realtor fees.
I will list the monthly fees I am looking at to give you an idea.
cell phone. cheapest plan possible. about 2,500 per month.
Internet: about 4,000 yen per month
utilities, dorm: maybe 3,000 per month
transportation: for me, round trip train fare to and from my school, 20 times a month, would cost about 10,000 yen per month. I also might have to purchase a bike parking spot at the station that would cost another 2,000.
-textbooks. I don't remember for sure, but I think we will have to pay for textbooks. Averaged out per month, probably something like 6,000 yen.
-various cleaning/apartment upkeep expenses. 3,000 month.
Combining all of these things, that'll put my base expenses, which does not include food, entertainment, or going anywhere besides from my school, at around 60,000 yen per month. Once I eventually move to a private apartment, I would probably save on transportation but spend more on utilities and rent, so at that point it'll probably be more like 90,000 per month.
You will be able to travel a little around Japan, but remember that transportation/lodging is quite expensive in Japan. It would probably be hard both to do much traveling and go out and have fun. But you can always get a part time job...
ETA: You will probably not spend any money as gifts during the Japanese holidays. That is not a role that foreign exchange students are expected to fill. If anything, you might receive a tiny bit of money, but I wouldn't count on it. Omiyage will similarly not be expected since you won't be working at a company...
The dorm I am living in costs 32,000 per month and does no include meals. You are allowed to live there for two years, so if you move to a graduate program, you will have to move. There are, however, other dorms available that would allow you to avoid key money/realtor fees.
I will list the monthly fees I am looking at to give you an idea.
cell phone. cheapest plan possible. about 2,500 per month.
Internet: about 4,000 yen per month
utilities, dorm: maybe 3,000 per month
transportation: for me, round trip train fare to and from my school, 20 times a month, would cost about 10,000 yen per month. I also might have to purchase a bike parking spot at the station that would cost another 2,000.
-textbooks. I don't remember for sure, but I think we will have to pay for textbooks. Averaged out per month, probably something like 6,000 yen.
-various cleaning/apartment upkeep expenses. 3,000 month.
Combining all of these things, that'll put my base expenses, which does not include food, entertainment, or going anywhere besides from my school, at around 60,000 yen per month. Once I eventually move to a private apartment, I would probably save on transportation but spend more on utilities and rent, so at that point it'll probably be more like 90,000 per month.
You will be able to travel a little around Japan, but remember that transportation/lodging is quite expensive in Japan. It would probably be hard both to do much traveling and go out and have fun. But you can always get a part time job...
ETA: You will probably not spend any money as gifts during the Japanese holidays. That is not a role that foreign exchange students are expected to fill. If anything, you might receive a tiny bit of money, but I wouldn't count on it. Omiyage will similarly not be expected since you won't be working at a company...
Yeah cool calculation Charles.. so means i still have a lot of money left.. besides some of the items i might not spend on anyways like bicycle.. laptops i will get it b4 going to japan and i might not have a cellphone there..depends on needs.. furniture i think ill juz get a bed sheet and anything necessary.. besides im not in tokyo so less expensive..pity those going to tokyo..surely having a hard time there..maybe the financial assistance is calculated for those living in tokyo... as for conference, if they're very expensive, i think our professor will help us out.. if not one or 2 conference is still ok i think.. with my extra lot of money i think ill be indulging my self in a few sessions with the prostitutes maybe once a month..yamate..lol
Charles Barkley
TNT Basketball Analyst
- 14 Jun 2007
- 560
- 12
Livingwithout a cellphone here is very difficult...
I have a bike (and I mean a nice bike) but I still have to take the trains because the dorm is too far away to bike during rush hour.
I have a bike (and I mean a nice bike) but I still have to take the trains because the dorm is too far away to bike during rush hour.
>Charles,
Sorry for my bad command of English. I get confused a lot with the term dorm and hostel. Haha.
May I know which city are you in? I heard for those non-urban places, inaka, or so they call, you should at least have a bicycle, since those places are not as full equipped as those big cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
And another thing I heard is that food in the non-urban area are more expensive, if you are not eating the university canteen. It takes more than 600 yen per meal.
Sorry for my bad command of English. I get confused a lot with the term dorm and hostel. Haha.
May I know which city are you in? I heard for those non-urban places, inaka, or so they call, you should at least have a bicycle, since those places are not as full equipped as those big cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
And another thing I heard is that food in the non-urban area are more expensive, if you are not eating the university canteen. It takes more than 600 yen per meal.
ok then ill get a cellphone..maybe with roaming service so i can get in touch with my family... How much does a session with a ***** cost?? anyone wants to join me in the conquest for ******? we'll try out different ****** from all the different regions in japan and make a video of out trip... Have u been to any charles?? maybe when i get there ill come meet u in osaka then we'll go together
Charles Barkley
TNT Basketball Analyst
- 14 Jun 2007
- 560
- 12
I am not really the whoring type, though I have been known to ***** myself to find people to practice Japanese with.
The way most people stay in touch with those back home is through skype, assuming you have a computer. Costs little/nothing and you can get video and actually see the person you are talking to.
Bikes are great anywhere you live in Japan. A cheap used one shouldn't cost you more than 4000 yen, and sometimes people give them away. I like biking so I decided to buy a nice one, but the ones that most people ride work just fun.
If you go out to eat, the average cost of a cheapish, non-chain restaurant will probably be around 800 yen for most dishes. For dinner maybe 1100 yen. However, chain restaurants, ramen shops, places that serve beef bowls, etc, won't cost more than 500 yen for a decent sized meal. The quality isn't as good, and it sure won't be healthy, but you get what you pay for.
What I have been doing is having toast fruit and yogurt for breakest, going out everyday for lunch and getting a lunch set (700-1000 yen for tasty stuff) then buying salads/baguettes etc to take home and eat for dinner. Eating out for lunch is cheaper and you can even go to nicer restaurants without spending too much money.
And I am in Tokyo.
ETA: Bear in mind that if you are not Japanese, a lot of brothels, strip clubs, etc will not allow you to enter. I've never tried but that's the word on the street. If you are successful in entering, expect to pay 5,000-15,000 (depending on what you order) at the cheaper places. Or at least that's what the signs out front seem to say. I would expect once you go in the price could easily escalate...
The way most people stay in touch with those back home is through skype, assuming you have a computer. Costs little/nothing and you can get video and actually see the person you are talking to.
Bikes are great anywhere you live in Japan. A cheap used one shouldn't cost you more than 4000 yen, and sometimes people give them away. I like biking so I decided to buy a nice one, but the ones that most people ride work just fun.
If you go out to eat, the average cost of a cheapish, non-chain restaurant will probably be around 800 yen for most dishes. For dinner maybe 1100 yen. However, chain restaurants, ramen shops, places that serve beef bowls, etc, won't cost more than 500 yen for a decent sized meal. The quality isn't as good, and it sure won't be healthy, but you get what you pay for.
What I have been doing is having toast fruit and yogurt for breakest, going out everyday for lunch and getting a lunch set (700-1000 yen for tasty stuff) then buying salads/baguettes etc to take home and eat for dinner. Eating out for lunch is cheaper and you can even go to nicer restaurants without spending too much money.
And I am in Tokyo.
ETA: Bear in mind that if you are not Japanese, a lot of brothels, strip clubs, etc will not allow you to enter. I've never tried but that's the word on the street. If you are successful in entering, expect to pay 5,000-15,000 (depending on what you order) at the cheaper places. Or at least that's what the signs out front seem to say. I would expect once you go in the price could easily escalate...
What the?? Why dont they allow non japanese to enter those places?? Discrimination against non Japanese?? I think there will be somewhere which they allow for non Japanese customers...
You are in Tokyo and you still have so much money left?? Then for those not in Tokyo will have more money..Good news..
Based on your calculations, breakfast=500, lunch=100 dinner=1100
So every month will be approximately 1700 X 30 = 51 000 yen
Im not sure about the bike you said but 4000 yen seems cheap.. maybe its just your luck.. Ill understand that more when i get there... I heard you have to register for license for your bike? does that cost alot and do u have to renew those license and cost u more?
Thanks.. Hope to get more info from you b4 i leave for japan so i will be prepared to save for the whoring experience.. Others who are interested in whoring we can go and hunt together for cute and sexy japanese chicks
You are in Tokyo and you still have so much money left?? Then for those not in Tokyo will have more money..Good news..
Based on your calculations, breakfast=500, lunch=100 dinner=1100
So every month will be approximately 1700 X 30 = 51 000 yen
Im not sure about the bike you said but 4000 yen seems cheap.. maybe its just your luck.. Ill understand that more when i get there... I heard you have to register for license for your bike? does that cost alot and do u have to renew those license and cost u more?
Thanks.. Hope to get more info from you b4 i leave for japan so i will be prepared to save for the whoring experience.. Others who are interested in whoring we can go and hunt together for cute and sexy japanese chicks
menrui
先輩
- 24 May 2008
- 428
- 0
I wake up, and you guys are talking about prostitutes...
A little racial discrimination is nothing new in japan. I dont think it will be a big problem for us students... unless you just really want to go to those brothels.
Also, I really dont think we have to worry too much about money. Under spending is never a bad thing, and i dont think we will over spend as students... unless you really want to go to those brothels haha.
Anyways, i dont have to worry about hunting girls, im sure they will come to me(yeah i said it)
A little racial discrimination is nothing new in japan. I dont think it will be a big problem for us students... unless you just really want to go to those brothels.
Also, I really dont think we have to worry too much about money. Under spending is never a bad thing, and i dont think we will over spend as students... unless you really want to go to those brothels haha.
Anyways, i dont have to worry about hunting girls, im sure they will come to me(yeah i said it)
Charles Barkley
TNT Basketball Analyst
- 14 Jun 2007
- 560
- 12
Living in Tokyo, aside from the costs of housing, is not much more expensive than living anywhere else in Japan. For me, my housing is cheaper than it was when I was a JET, my utilities are smaller, and I don't have to have a car, so my expenses have gone down considerably.
a 4000 yen bike is cheap--a cheap, used bike. I didn't spend that, but that seems to be what a lot of the other students here are spending. I bought a hybrid cannondale bike for about 60,000 yen.
a 4000 yen bike is cheap--a cheap, used bike. I didn't spend that, but that seems to be what a lot of the other students here are spending. I bought a hybrid cannondale bike for about 60,000 yen.
Whoring and prostitutes? To be blunt, I think you may be in this for the wrong reasons. Sure, if its a joke its fine but I'm not sure talking about it like this is not going to make you very popular...
I read on another thread somewhere that the racial discrimination is because non-Japanese who have visited these places have not been able to communicate properly with the workers, causing misunderstanding and problems.
In any case, I don't think this thread is an appropriate place to discuss it. But what you do with your free time is your decision.
I read on another thread somewhere that the racial discrimination is because non-Japanese who have visited these places have not been able to communicate properly with the workers, causing misunderstanding and problems.
In any case, I don't think this thread is an appropriate place to discuss it. But what you do with your free time is your decision.
Charles Barkley
TNT Basketball Analyst
- 14 Jun 2007
- 560
- 12
Nice preconception about the language ability of non-japanese, but that's not what keeps fluent Japanese speaking foreigners out of brothels (self-respect of course does that for the most part). I imagine the real reason is that the proprietors and clientele of such establishments aren't exactly the most enlightened individuals.
Lol shoot hoops... I have a few serious questions here..
One of the Professor's I got in contact with told me to start off as a research student as soon as I reach Japan and then when the entrance exam starts in around October I should sit for it and enter as a masters student or something like that... It seems like he would like me to start off as a research student because apparently the course im taking is taught in english.. But when I come to Japan, I thought that we were suppose to learn Japanese somewhere for 6 months then only go over to the university.. If this is the case, I think I will not be able to start off as a research student because by the time I finish the langage course I would have to sit immediately for the entrance exam... So what should I do? Take the language course then sit for the exam or work as a research student and skip the language course?? Personally I would like to take the language course but im afraid the Professor would not agree..
Another serious question is that the term of the scholarship is 2 years but I think that my course would take more than 2 years.. What happen after that? Do I need to fund myself or reapply the scholarship and go through all these applications again?
Plz advice
One of the Professor's I got in contact with told me to start off as a research student as soon as I reach Japan and then when the entrance exam starts in around October I should sit for it and enter as a masters student or something like that... It seems like he would like me to start off as a research student because apparently the course im taking is taught in english.. But when I come to Japan, I thought that we were suppose to learn Japanese somewhere for 6 months then only go over to the university.. If this is the case, I think I will not be able to start off as a research student because by the time I finish the langage course I would have to sit immediately for the entrance exam... So what should I do? Take the language course then sit for the exam or work as a research student and skip the language course?? Personally I would like to take the language course but im afraid the Professor would not agree..
Another serious question is that the term of the scholarship is 2 years but I think that my course would take more than 2 years.. What happen after that? Do I need to fund myself or reapply the scholarship and go through all these applications again?
Plz advice
...As for the first question, I think you'll have to discuss it with the supervisor about what you want to do... cause in the end you will have to make the decision together. Also, the entrance exams and start dates of the courses are probably a semester, or at least a few months apart, so there's probably some time there in between.
As for the second question, I think you can only spend 2 years as a research student but when you transfer to a degree course the scholarship will cover that period as well, so there's no need to repeat the whole application process. There are probably some procedures for renewal however.
As for the second question, I think you can only spend 2 years as a research student but when you transfer to a degree course the scholarship will cover that period as well, so there's no need to repeat the whole application process. There are probably some procedures for renewal however.
hi everyone, i'm new to this forum...
congrats for passing the preliminary round of MEXT scholarship...
Eventually i am also one of the lucky candidates here from indonesia, had you guys been informed the deadline of LOA submittance in u'r local embassy?
I'll have it on 22nd september here. unfortunately one of the professor i've contacted just went for conference till 24th sept... -_-!
so far i just got 1 LOA from tohoku univ that wasn't listed in my prefer uni on the attachment form. I'm afraid that it would be a matter...
I've emailed 7 professor... all replied... two rejected (their lab is at full capacity)...
five agreed... but it turns out that only one uni could send it on time...
the weirdest thing is another uni insisted issuing Letter of Admission... they won't fill in the LOA form that given by MEXT. i regret and feel sorry at the same time for choosing the uni.. i found out that it wasn't as good as i thought...
I wonder if i should submit the Admission letter because now that i prefer tohoku more than 'that uni'... (though it was on my preference of uni list)
Is there any possibility to change the list in attachment form with a new one??
i feel miserable... anyway the admission letter will be arrived on monday..
please give me any advice.....................................-_-
btw... thx a lot for all your postings here... it helps me a lot through the exams and interview...
congrats for passing the preliminary round of MEXT scholarship...
Eventually i am also one of the lucky candidates here from indonesia, had you guys been informed the deadline of LOA submittance in u'r local embassy?
I'll have it on 22nd september here. unfortunately one of the professor i've contacted just went for conference till 24th sept... -_-!
so far i just got 1 LOA from tohoku univ that wasn't listed in my prefer uni on the attachment form. I'm afraid that it would be a matter...
I've emailed 7 professor... all replied... two rejected (their lab is at full capacity)...
five agreed... but it turns out that only one uni could send it on time...
the weirdest thing is another uni insisted issuing Letter of Admission... they won't fill in the LOA form that given by MEXT. i regret and feel sorry at the same time for choosing the uni.. i found out that it wasn't as good as i thought...
I wonder if i should submit the Admission letter because now that i prefer tohoku more than 'that uni'... (though it was on my preference of uni list)
Is there any possibility to change the list in attachment form with a new one??
i feel miserable... anyway the admission letter will be arrived on monday..
please give me any advice.....................................-_-
btw... thx a lot for all your postings here... it helps me a lot through the exams and interview...
menrui
先輩
- 24 May 2008
- 428
- 0
^welcome to the club.
Wow, 5 of 7... thats a really good batting average. Keep in mind, you might want to write an apology letter to the professors that you didnt select, which i guess is 4 for you.
My deadline for my consulate is Sept. 26. If i were you, I would definitely send in your only LoA on time. As for the others, check with your embassy to see if they have some kind of extension and will allow you to send the other a bit later.
the universities that you listed on the attachment are your preference and should be used only by your embassy as a reference. It should not effect you if you choose to obtain LoA from other universities. Furthermore, it would be best if you did not send that attachment with your documents to the universities as it may cause problems. I experienced it and im other others have too.
I know there are some cases where the univ/prof really want you to enter and do not want you to apply to other school. for me, one of my professor insisted that i only apply to him and his univ. I replied no, and he kept trying to convince me. I heard from others, they were asked 'if they are applying to other univs', and when they truthfully answered 'yes', they never receive a reply again. Im sure we all feel sad about selecting 1 university and reject the others.
Im not sure what to say about your "letter of admission". I dont know how that would work if you sent that in instead of a "letter of acceptance". please ask your embassy first. Anyways, if the 'Lo Admission' could guarantee you a place in the university, maybe you should consider it. But if you really want to go to Tohoku, you have to take your chances with the "Lo acceptance". Maybe someone else has a better answer....
Wow, 5 of 7... thats a really good batting average. Keep in mind, you might want to write an apology letter to the professors that you didnt select, which i guess is 4 for you.
My deadline for my consulate is Sept. 26. If i were you, I would definitely send in your only LoA on time. As for the others, check with your embassy to see if they have some kind of extension and will allow you to send the other a bit later.
the universities that you listed on the attachment are your preference and should be used only by your embassy as a reference. It should not effect you if you choose to obtain LoA from other universities. Furthermore, it would be best if you did not send that attachment with your documents to the universities as it may cause problems. I experienced it and im other others have too.
I know there are some cases where the univ/prof really want you to enter and do not want you to apply to other school. for me, one of my professor insisted that i only apply to him and his univ. I replied no, and he kept trying to convince me. I heard from others, they were asked 'if they are applying to other univs', and when they truthfully answered 'yes', they never receive a reply again. Im sure we all feel sad about selecting 1 university and reject the others.
Im not sure what to say about your "letter of admission". I dont know how that would work if you sent that in instead of a "letter of acceptance". please ask your embassy first. Anyways, if the 'Lo Admission' could guarantee you a place in the university, maybe you should consider it. But if you really want to go to Tohoku, you have to take your chances with the "Lo acceptance". Maybe someone else has a better answer....
Charles Barkley
TNT Basketball Analyst
- 14 Jun 2007
- 560
- 12
About language school vs beginning as a research student:
research student is a very vague term in that you don't really have any designated responsibilities. What you do is up to what you are allowed to by the school and what you take it upon yourself to do. At my school, it looks like language classes will take place in the morning, and then in the afternoon it would be possible to try to audit other classes, conduct research, find a part time job, pick dandelions, etc. If your school is similar, there is no reason you shouldn't both be able to be a 'research student' and go to japanese school.
I haven't started classes yet, though its been almost 3 weeks since I got here (I haven't even met my supervisor). There is an orientation at my graduate school tomorrow and Jpaanese classes are scheduled to start at the end of the month.
And there is a basketball court (half court) at my dorm that gets decent games.
research student is a very vague term in that you don't really have any designated responsibilities. What you do is up to what you are allowed to by the school and what you take it upon yourself to do. At my school, it looks like language classes will take place in the morning, and then in the afternoon it would be possible to try to audit other classes, conduct research, find a part time job, pick dandelions, etc. If your school is similar, there is no reason you shouldn't both be able to be a 'research student' and go to japanese school.
I haven't started classes yet, though its been almost 3 weeks since I got here (I haven't even met my supervisor). There is an orientation at my graduate school tomorrow and Jpaanese classes are scheduled to start at the end of the month.
And there is a basketball court (half court) at my dorm that gets decent games.
wow
i've been away for a few days and so surprised to see how the topics have "evolved" here. haha
You guys have actually started to plan how you're gonna spend those money already? =p very optimistic
But i'm not sure whether discussing about how to spend the extra money and prostitution is very appropriate here as i have a feeling the embassy of Japan browses this site as well. (At least i know the Japanese Embassy in Malaysia does).
THey may decide to withdraw the generosity and cut the stipend since students are too comfortable with the amount. =p
Just my 2 cents. I can't get too comfortable now, still very anxious of the outcome. My friend is flying off to tokyo on MEXT 2008 soon... got into tokyo uni, damn lucky
i've been away for a few days and so surprised to see how the topics have "evolved" here. haha
You guys have actually started to plan how you're gonna spend those money already? =p very optimistic
But i'm not sure whether discussing about how to spend the extra money and prostitution is very appropriate here as i have a feeling the embassy of Japan browses this site as well. (At least i know the Japanese Embassy in Malaysia does).
THey may decide to withdraw the generosity and cut the stipend since students are too comfortable with the amount. =p
Just my 2 cents. I can't get too comfortable now, still very anxious of the outcome. My friend is flying off to tokyo on MEXT 2008 soon... got into tokyo uni, damn lucky
As for research student status:
I think the most important question that you should start asking yourself is that: Are you aiming to be a research student? Or you are intending to continue until Masters/ Doctorate?
Well, my opinion is that the research student period is sort of like the transition period for us to adjust ourself to the Japanese environment. Another reason is that most Japanese universities required us to sit for the entrance examination, and the research student period is the time for us to prepare ourselves for the entrance examination. There are several stages in the entrance examination, a generic one would be written examinition, short thesis writing, and an oral interview (viva voce).
As research students, we are supposed to make ourself familiar with the members in the lab (if you are located into the university itself). It is true that some supervisors may request their students to audit some classes. Mind you, you will still have to complete several credit hours of selective courses in masters.
My suggestion: If you are allowed to write your thesis in English, you can consider going directly for your entrance examination. Then I guess you can save 1 year. Well, personally I think that your professor thinks that you have enough ability for that, so he suggested you proceed to the level earlier.
I understand that some of the students are located in the language schools instead of their particular universities, so their situation might be a little different.
But even if you are in the language school, you can still contact with your professor to obtain past years papers to get a feel of their entrance examinition.
>cook1e,
You are lucky!!!
>ooilingfan
I also get the same feeling here (about the embassy is constantly monitoring this page)... How are you sure that our embassy really read what is written here?
I think the most important question that you should start asking yourself is that: Are you aiming to be a research student? Or you are intending to continue until Masters/ Doctorate?
Well, my opinion is that the research student period is sort of like the transition period for us to adjust ourself to the Japanese environment. Another reason is that most Japanese universities required us to sit for the entrance examination, and the research student period is the time for us to prepare ourselves for the entrance examination. There are several stages in the entrance examination, a generic one would be written examinition, short thesis writing, and an oral interview (viva voce).
As research students, we are supposed to make ourself familiar with the members in the lab (if you are located into the university itself). It is true that some supervisors may request their students to audit some classes. Mind you, you will still have to complete several credit hours of selective courses in masters.
My suggestion: If you are allowed to write your thesis in English, you can consider going directly for your entrance examination. Then I guess you can save 1 year. Well, personally I think that your professor thinks that you have enough ability for that, so he suggested you proceed to the level earlier.
I understand that some of the students are located in the language schools instead of their particular universities, so their situation might be a little different.
But even if you are in the language school, you can still contact with your professor to obtain past years papers to get a feel of their entrance examinition.
>cook1e,
You are lucky!!!
>ooilingfan
I also get the same feeling here (about the embassy is constantly monitoring this page)... How are you sure that our embassy really read what is written here?
Embassy monitor this forum?? Im a bit worried if I would make it for the final selection process... Not sure how they pick the candidates from here onwards.. There's nothing we can do but just wait.. I dont think they can judge us based on the letter of acceptance we send.. sigh.. maybe its just luck.. I also do not think they will change our stipend based on a few post by people who have not been to Japan and some imaginary plans.. They would have calculated the stipends out based on their own kwnowledge.. lol
