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Best Tips to Apply for a Scholarship in Japan

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Sammy
Best Tips to Apply for a Scholarship in Japan

Japan is one of the most popular choices for students seeking to study abroad. Its rich cultural heritage and extraordinary infrastructure attract over 150,000 international students annually. The government has emphasized prioritizing education as a way to boost economic growth. The education system in Japan is world-class. The country was ranked at number 20 out of the top 100 in the world. Another fact about Japan is that the country has the highest number of Nobel Peace Prize winners in Asia. The government has invested in cutting edge research facilities and infrastructure to maintain a high quality of education.

The country is welcoming for international students; different English programs are incorporated into the curriculum to attract more international students. However, studying in Japan can be expensive for an international student. Therefore, applying for a private school scholarship in Japan may relieve you of the financial burden.

Types of scholarships

There are three types of scholarships offered to international students.

  1.   The Japanese government scholarship 

The MEXT scholarship, which stands for Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, has been sponsoring international students in Japan since 1954. The MEXT program is also known as Monbukagakusho. Over 65,000 students from 160 countries have benefited from this scholarship. There are seven different sponsored programs in the MEXT scholarship program. The government offers scholarships to deserving students through the ministry. The monthly stipend can range from 120,000 JPY to 148,000 JPY depending on your scholarship program.

  1.   Private organizations

The organizations also referred to JASSO (Japanese Students Service Organisation), offers scholarships to international students who qualify to Japanese universities. The scholarships go to graduate and undergraduate students who have excelled in their academics under a student exchange program. The monthly stipend is about 80,000 JPY for successful applicants.

For school children, some international schools like GIIS also offer scholarships which are merit or means based. Deserving students also have the option of choosing between a wide range of scholarships from academics, to sports, to skills. 

  1.   Local government scholarships

The developments in Japan allow the local governments to offer scholarships to international students in their area. The students finish college education and join the workforce within the local government. It helps boost the economy in the area and maintain the world-class innovation of Japan.

Tips for scholarship application

  1.   Apply for recommendations

When you apply for a Japanese scholarship, you must get a recommendation from the Japanese embassy or the consulate general in your country. You can draft an application with your request and send it to the embassy. Alternatively, you can apply to different Japanese universities and state in your application that you are applying for a school scholarship in Japan.

  1.   Diplomatic relations

Before you submit your application, find out about your country’s diplomatic relations with Japan to avoid getting disappointed. The scholarships only go to students from countries that have good diplomatic relations with Japan.

  1.   Citizenship

The scholarship programs act as exchange programs with the home country. A student is required to have a valid student visa and proof of citizenship in their country of residence. However, this may not be applicable for children of expatriate families. There are schools like GIIS Tokyo offering different scholarships for their students. 

  1.   Practise for the interview

Japanese scholarships are popular and competitive. It is beneficial to find ways that will make you stand out. Do a lot of research about the Japanese culture and education system so that you are updated. If you have to, stand in front of a mirror and interview yourself with potential questions. Doing this will reduce your anxiety and prepare you for the actual interview.

  1.   Research

Apart from the MEXT scholarship, which is the most common Japanese scholarship program, different organizations offer scholarships to international students. Thanks to technology, you can browse the internet and find other suitable organizations that can give you a scholarship.

In conclusion, studying in Japan on a scholarship will allow you to explore Japanese culture and beautiful sites without worrying about getting kicked out of school. The government offers different programs that can accommodate every student and enhance your experience. All you have to do is adequate research and submit as many applications as you can. However, keep in mind that you cannot get a scholarship from two different programs at the same time. Enjoy the application process. Good luck. Mata ne!

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