Need help! Studying at Keio.

[dc5087]

Hi everyone, I am a newbie in this forum. This is my first post actually. Right now I have a problem about my plan to study in japan. I hope somebody could help me.
My problem is :
Last October I applied to Keio University for their master program (IGP). The program offered Monbukagakusho Scholarship (university nomination) for the top 6 applicants.
Last week, I received the announcement from Keio. It was announced that I succesfully accepted to their master program, which means I can start studying there this September.
However, unfortunately I was not selected as the scholarship recipient (yeah... being top 6 is really hard T_T).
Now, comparing my poor financial condition to school fee + living expenses in Japan, I don't think I can survive without any financial help. On the other side I really want to enroll to Keio this year. I've been planning and preparing for this admission since a year ago. I still have time until late May this year to decide and pay the enrollment fee.
I'm really confused right now. What should I do? Is there any program or something which could help me regarding my situation right now?
Any suggestion, advice or help will be very appreciated.
Thanks. >.<

 

[luckyme]

I ­will try to help you. Let me see!
Firstly, I want to know which program you applied, your major? Have you ever tried to find MEXT scholarship in other Universities? I know that many University offer MEXT scholarship apply through University nomination such as Todai, Saitama, Kyodai, Nagoya, etc.
If you want support your learning yourself, I think you shouln't learn at Keio. The tuition fee in famous private University like Keio, Waseda nomarlly 3-4 times higher than the tuition fee in national university like Todai. The living expense in Tokyo also expensive than other provinces.
However, Japanese government has policy to support international student without scholarship. I remember that JASSO give Mater private -fund student 6 man per month. My friend applied Keio as private-fund student and she received 50% reduction of tuition fee at the first. Then, she receive scholarship from private Organization which as much as MEXT.
After all, I recommend you to discuss with Admission Team of this program. You can as them for all things you want to know such as reduction of tuition fee, the chance of receive another scholarship, any part-time jobs, living expense, ...
I'm currious that why do you wan to learn in Japan? Do you ever think about another country, like US?

 

[dc5087]

@luckyme > Thanks for the reply.

About me, it is actually my first time applying to MEXT scholarship. My major is computer science, I am applying for Keio's master program in this field.

My first plan was to study in Japan with scholarship support. Maybe I should tell that my economic condition is poor, even I have hardship paying the fee for my undergraduate study in my country. So, studying in japan with my own support is out of question.

The reason of choosing japan is, well, beside my major things (computer and technology), I am interested in Japan's culture too. I want to improve my japanese language and learn more about their culture. I can speak japanese a little.

For now, I'm learning my Japanese by myself (again, too expensive to join japanese course). I managed to pass JLPT level 3. I know this is not enough for regular study in Japan.

For this reason, I choose Keio because they provide master program offered in english. (as far as I know, Todai doesn't have lesson in english for master program. They have it for PhD).

My condition right now : I'm already accepted but without scholarship.
I just want to know if there is a way to let me enroll this year, so that
I don't have to give up the acceptance. I know this is a difficult situation.

I ever discussed with the admission team, they said that the support available is only 1 man a month. There will be a private foundation to help, but most of them only accept application from japan. This means I have to enroll first.

I want to hear the opinion from people from this forum. Maybe there are people with similiar situation with me and managed to overcome it. So, any advice will be helpful.

 

[luckyme]

In my opinion, it will extremely difficult for you to learn at Keio in this course because it really difficult to find financial support especially in this time of economic recession.
However, there is still some chance for you. I think with your major, your Japanese ability, may be you can have advantage apply MEXT through University. If you don't mind, try to search program at other Universities at provinces. Famous Universities are usually more competitive.
I don't know how much time did you try to find the way to Japan but in my opinion, you must be patience. I myself spent 3 years to received MEXT scholarships. I learned Japanese 4 years in my University, continue to learn until received 1 kyuu but it still no hope in find a program in Japan. I gave up, changed to study English. But finally, I got MEXT scholarship. I passed a long, hard and painful road to come to Japan. So I just want to say that it is not easy as you think but try to fighting.
I hope you will find your way. May be it takes you more time than you think but read the experience of other people in this forum, you will see that they also took a hard time. So if you can't go this year, never mind.

 

[dc5087]

Thanks for your encouragement luckyme.
I am too planning to apply the next MEXT scholarship here. It will be april this year. Still a month to go. While waiting for it, I just want to find a way to secure my enrollment to Keio (if possible). But even if I can't, I'll try to get the next period.
Thanks anyway ^^


PS: I still welcome any valuable information