Monbukagakusho Scholarship for Postgraduate!!

[uranussama]

Out of curiosity, did you guys write your research proposals in Japanese or English? I'm particularly curious about applicants doing research that requires a high degree of Japanese ability (literature, linguistics, cultural studies, etc). I can see wanting to demonstrate your fluency, but certainly you're doing so at the expense of some of the clarity of your proposal (unless you have a degree of writing proficiency really on par with a Japanese graduate student).
Any thoughts?

My course of study involves sociology and anthropology of Japanese culture and I wrote my abstract in English and included both a Japanese and English outline, all typed. I have the interview and test tomorrow. I'm a bit nervous about the Japanese test... last year's test had a bunch of things I didnt know on it so I looked bad even though I knew tons of stuff that wasnt on the test...

 

[ykk]

I'm a bit nervous about the Japanese test... last year's test had a bunch of things I didnt know on it so I looked bad even though I knew tons of stuff that wasnt on the test...

Same here. I wrote down in my CV that I had 3kyuu level but the Test A was still very hard for me. I hope they didin't think I lied or something.

Best luck in the exam and interview! It is going to be OK!!! relax.
And tell us how you did!

 

[uranussama]

I'm back from the exam and interview. The Japanese exam was ridiculous. They completely changed the format, it's nothing but twenty pages of passages to read... the types of questions I'm the worst at... great.

But I aced the English test, being a native speaker and all... so as long as that "we submit your English test score in lieu of the Japanese score" thing still applies to America, I should be alright.

I blanked on the interview when the Japanese guy asked me some questions in Japanese. I had a really hard time answering and talking... I think they weren't too impressed with my Japanese ability which sucks because I have a DEGREE in it but I just panicked and lost my train of thought.

They seemed impressed by my proposal though and how srsly I was taking everything (especially compared to some of the other kids there... someone showed up in jeans, a t-shirt, and a baseball cap ) so I think I may still have a chance.

 

[menrui]

sounds tough uranussama. I think the research proposal has the most weight during the interview. The Japanese part is probably just there so you can impress them ha. I remember, I didn't know how to say the answer in Japanese, so I paused, then one of the judge told me to just say it in English. I think she was just curious ha.

Oh, and showing up in jeans and a baseball cap... he might as well throw his application down the drain.

 

[uranussama]

Thanks, Menrui. I just felt so bad, like... I'm sure they were thinking, You have a degree and yet you cant understand/answer our questions? But like I said, they seemed interested in my proposal anyways, so here's to hoping...

And yeah, I kind of couldnt believe that kid... at first I thought he was like someone's kid sitting in for the tests for practise or something, since he looked so young and was dressed so sloppily for something of this caliber. Heh.

 

[dalmatian]

Same here. I wrote down in my CV that I had 3kyuu level but the Test A was still very hard for me. I hope they didin't think I lied or something.
Best luck in the exam and interview! It is going to be OK!!! relax.
And tell us how you did!

hi ykk, did you submit your CV along with the application? or it was asked when you are invited for the interview/test ?
I didn't submit my CV. I thought it is not necessary because if I am not mistaken, the guidelines does not mention it T.T

 

[ykk]

hi ykk, did you submit your CV along with the application? or it was asked when you are invited for the interview/test ?
I didn't submit my CV. I thought it is not necessary because if I am not mistaken, the guidelines does not mention it T.T

I belive it is a special requirement from the embassy of my country. there are some other funny requirements, like answerig in a separate sheet of paper the question "have ever some relative of you been to japan?" and also in a separate paper "Reasons for applying the scholarship" (just the reasons, a personal justification)
I have to submit it with all the forms and photocopies. The day of the interview they have the folder I've submitted and check the answers I've put in the forms.

URANUSSAMA:
Don't worry about how other people is dressed up. Bad for them. It's ok to feel comfortable with your outfit but jeans and baseball cap it's almost impolite for this ocassion
I understand your feelings about the little japanese chat in the interview. In my case, I understood everything but very politely excused myself and answered in spanish.

BTW, as I'm not a native english speaker, how do you qualificate my answers in this forum? do you understand completely what I'm writting? I'm not studing english these days but attend to nihongo on saturdays and sundays

 

[uranussama]

BTW, as I'm not a native english speaker, how do you qualificate my answers in this forum? do you understand completely what I'm writting? I'm not studing english these days but attend to nihongo on saturdays and sundays

I understand what you write but I can tell youre not a native speaker =)

 

[dalmatian]

hi ykk, Thank you for the clarification

 

[clipvain]

Hi all,
I have read from somewhere that some of you included the timelines for your research plans into the proposal. Can I know how long does this timeline usually span across? Since most of us here are planning to do a masters course eventually, did you work it out such that your research will be completed by the time you enter as a regular masters student?

Thanks in advanced for the help!
And all the best to those who have gone for the tests/interviews!

 

[ykk]

Hi all,
I have read from somewhere that some of you included the timelines for your research plans into the proposal. Can I know how long does this timeline usually span across? Since most of us here are planning to do a masters course eventually, did you work it out such that your research will be completed by the time you enter as a regular masters student?
Thanks in advanced for the help!
And all the best to those who have gone for the tests/interviews!

In the case of my country is mandatory to include a written description of the research AND a study plan.
I made my plan in a 18-month-basis. Separated the timeline in 4 groups of months, regarding the steps I may follow to conclude the research. I don't know if that is ok but that was the only way I could think of.
I'm not planning to finish the research before entering the master's course... I thought it was a parallel process:
First 6 months: Study japanese
Next 18 months: Try to pass the University exams to enter the master's course and do the research. If not, continue as a research student doing the research on my own.
Am I correct?☝

 

[clipvain]

In the case of my country is mandatory to include a written description of the research AND a study plan.
I made my plan in a 18-month-basis. Separated the timeline in 4 groups of months, regarding the steps I may follow to conclude the research. I don't know if that is ok but that was the only way I could think of.
I'm not planning to finish the research before entering the master's course... I thought it was a parallel process:
First 6 months: Study japanese
Next 18 months: Try to pass the University exams to enter the master's course and do the research. If not, continue as a research student doing the research on my own.
Am I correct?☝

Thanks for the opinion! It seems to make alot of sense to me... at least way better than my initial idea of finishing the entire thing in 6months

 

[ykk]

Thanks for the opinion! It seems to make alot of sense to me... at least way better than my initial idea of finishing the entire thing in 6months

I think they expect you to learn as much japanese as you can before entering the university. You don't have to do anything else more than studing the language in the first 6 months.

 

[menrui]

They "expect" you to:
1: study Japanese for 6months
2: conduct your own research for 18 month
3: at the same time, prepare for the entrance exam, take it, and get in.

But it really depends on your professor. My professor already has plenty of experience with foreign scholarship students. His route for me is:
1: Don't take Japanese classes, it's not required in the lab
2: Don't conduct my own research. Join an existing research group in his lab.
3: Treat me as a Masters course student right away, even though I am actually a research student.
4: Take the entrance exam, but don't worry about my performance. In other words, I'm in no matter what.
Summary, enter masters course after 6 months, complete masters course in 18months.

 

[clipvain]

They "expect" you to:
1: study Japanese for 6months
2: conduct your own research for 18 month
3: at the same time, prepare for the entrance exam, take it, and get in.

But it really depends on your professor. My professor already has plenty of experience with foreign scholarship students. His route for me is:
1: Don't take Japanese classes, it's not required in the lab
2: Don't conduct my own research. Join an existing research group in his lab.
3: Treat me as a Masters course student right away, even though I am actually a research student.
4: Take the entrance exam, but don't worry about my performance. In other words, I'm in no matter what.
Summary, enter masters course after 6 months, complete masters course in 18months.

I was actually looking forward to the Japanese classes, as I presumed it will be different from the kinds of classes we have outside of Japan. But then again, the way your professor formulated it makes your 2 years way more efficient!

 

[ismori]

i did not get in as well. sad.

 

[ykk]

i did not get in as well. sad.

This is so discouraging...
It almost 3am and I've just finished printing all the forms and stuff... tomorrow I will take the photo and deliver everything right away.

gotta work tomorrow at 7am... guess my face in the picture

 

[clipvain]

This is so discouraging...
It almost 3am and I've just finished printing all the forms and stuff... tomorrow I will take the photo and deliver everything right away.
gotta work tomorrow at 7am... guess my face in the picture

i can help photoshop it

 

[kouun9]

Hi Everybody

I am new in this forum. I also have applied for the Mombusho scholarship this year, and am waiting for the preliminary shortlisting by the embassy.

I have applied in the field of Japanese language and literature. Has anybody here given the Japanese language exam this year. The toughest paper i.e. Paper C. How was it, was there any Kanji to write in any of the 3 papers. How many Dokkai (reading comprehensions) were there.

Here in India, if shortlisted for exam and interview, will be having exam in the end of the month.

All the best to everyone.

 

[gurb]

embassy rejection

Hi everyone!
I applied this year for the Monbukagakusho postgrad scholarship through the embassy of Japan in my country of origin.
My research proposal is based on a topic i am currently working on and which i try to develop more in-depth in the field of International relations. Previously i commented it with my academic supervisor who approved it and he gave me his positive comments on it.
I am 27, have actually a bachelors degree, 2 masters degrees, some publications (despite on other topics), 2 years of working experience in a prestigious international institute in Holland... I don't say that I deserved it, but I was convinced that at the very list i would make it to the interview/exam phase. To my surprise, i just got an email from the embassy saying that my application is already rejected
I must say i feel quite disappointed about that. Is it common, anyhow??
Thanks

 

[ykk]

Hi everyone!
I applied this year for the Monbukagakusho postgrad scholarship through the embassy of Japan in my country of origin.
My research proposal is based on a topic i am currently working on and which i try to develop more in-depth in the field of International relations. Previously i commented it with my academic supervisor who approved it and he gave me his positive comments on it.
I am 27, have actually a bachelors degree, 2 masters degrees, some publications (despite on other topics), 2 years of working experience in a prestigious international institute in Holland... I don't say that I deserved it, but I was convinced that at the very list i would make it to the interview/exam phase. To my surprise, i just got an email from the embassy saying that my application is already rejected
I must say i feel quite disappointed about that. Is it common, anyhow??
Thanks

OMG!
Maybe they thought that you too-well-prepared? That you have already achieved some point in your academic career that it is not necessary to study in Japan? to leave the chances to other people who might need it more than you?
Anyway, it is a bit unfair, you have showed that you are commited to study and give the best...
I've met someone with a case similar to yours... Sometimes this seems to be some kind of lottery....

 

[nyfa]

Hi everyone!
I applied this year for the Monbukagakusho postgrad scholarship through the embassy of Japan in my country of origin.
My research proposal is based on a topic i am currently working on and which i try to develop more in-depth in the field of International relations. Previously i commented it with my academic supervisor who approved it and he gave me his positive comments on it.
I am 27, have actually a bachelors degree, 2 masters degrees, some publications (despite on other topics), 2 years of working experience in a prestigious international institute in Holland... I don't say that I deserved it, but I was convinced that at the very list i would make it to the interview/exam phase. To my surprise, i just got an email from the embassy saying that my application is already rejected
I must say i feel quite disappointed about that. Is it common, anyhow??
Thanks

OMG. I'm speechless.
But I kinda agree with what ykk said.. then again, we would never know how they pick the candidates every year..

I hope you don't feel so down. Maybe trying again next year? I assume you're applying for the PhD one?

 

[gurb]

OMG. I'm speechless.
But I kinda agree with what ykk said.. then again, we would never know how they pick the candidates every year..
I hope you don't feel so down. Maybe trying again next year? I assume you're applying for the PhD one?

hi!
Thanks to the both of you for the reply.

Yes, it was for the postgraduate, with intention to do a PhD. I guess I have been unlucky...
I would like to try again, of course, but it seems kind of useless if I don't manage to find out what the problem was. Unfortunately there are no other scholarships like this one for Japan, so this is almost the only choice.

 

[clockworkorange]

They "expect" you to:
1: study Japanese for 6months
2: conduct your own research for 18 month
3: at the same time, prepare for the entrance exam, take it, and get in.

But it really depends on your professor. My professor already has plenty of experience with foreign scholarship students. His route for me is:
1: Don't take Japanese classes, it's not required in the lab
2: Don't conduct my own research. Join an existing research group in his lab.
3: Treat me as a Masters course student right away, even though I am actually a research student.
4: Take the entrance exam, but don't worry about my performance. In other words, I'm in no matter what.
Summary, enter masters course after 6 months, complete masters course in 18months.

I'm jealous. I don't think my professor has much experience with foreign scholarship students. I'm worried as hell over my entrance exam. but at least I have two takes. Plus i think my professor is really nice so ....ok laa....
How's life in japan btw, menrui?


To gurb,
I'm really sorry you got rejected. If they rejected you because of your stellar qualifications...i feel that's a bit unfair. I mean the qualifications only prove your level of commitment and that you would make full use of the scholarship. but that's just my opinion. Don't give up. Try again next year. Maybe you could ask the embassy representative what might have gone wrong.

I wish you all the best.

 

[menrui]

it's a bit tiring, but I still manage to get by.

My lab mates tell me that it's very easy to get in, and get a degree under our professor. The catch is... the lab hours. M-F: 10-22, Sat: 10-19 = 59 hours a week. That's crazy. Also, I was just informed that graduate students don't get the same vacation as the undergrads... so instead of the standard 2 month summer vacation, our lab group will likely only get a week . Yay Japan~ ha.