MEXT Scholarship for graduate study in Tokyo Tech, Japan. Some snapshots of daily life in Japan as muslim student living with his wife.

1. Scholarship, Study, & Life in Japan
Nur Ahmadi / Etoser ITB ’06

2. Quick Overview
 MEXT/Monbukagakusho Scholarship (文部科学省奨学金
Monbukagakushō Shōgakukin), formerly known Monbusho
scholarship established in 1954
 To date, approx. 65,000 students from 160 countries were
granted this scholarship
 Scholarship features:
Round-trip airfare, free admission & tuition fees, monthly stipend
 Types of scholarship:
Research/graduate students, teacher training students, undergrad
univ students, Japanese studies students, college of technology
students, special training college studtents, young leader’s
program (YLP) students

3. Scholarship Scheme
 Embassy recommendation
 Through Japanese Embassy in Jakarta
 Get the scholarship first, the univ later
 Japanese university recommendation
 University recommedation
 Get the univ first, the scholarship later
 Through univ to univ MoU
 Application from outside Japan
 Domestic selection
 Application in Japan

4. Scholarship Scheme

5. Scholarship Procedure (My Experience)

6. Why Tokyo Tech?
 Leading tech univ in Japan
 Reputable in the world
 Located in centralTokyo
 Near KBRI Tokyo
 Active PPI (Tokodai)
 Strong relation with ITB
 Many muslim activities

7. Timeline
 Application deadline (December 2010)
 Interview (December 2010)
 Notification for university acceptance (March 2011)
 MEXT Scholarship candidate selection (May 2011)
 Final MEXT scholarship notification (July 2011)
 Visa & Pre-departure orientation (August 2011)
 Departure: Jakarta to Tokyo (September 2011)
 Entrance ceremony & start the study (October 2011)

8. Document Preparation
 Application form
 Degree certificate
 Academic transcript
 English proficiency certificate
 Curriculum vitae
 Research proposal
 Recommendation letter

9. Interview Process
 3-5 Professors as interviewers
 Around 30 minutes
 Direct (face-to-face) or video/voice call
 Typical questions:
 Personal story
 Motivation
 Research experience
 Topic related to research
 Future goal

10. Waiting Time
 Wait and pray for the best
 If you’re not confident enough, apply to several other
univs in parallel
 It’s normal in the west. In the east, you have to explain well to
the professor in case you reject the univ (offer) later.
 Prepare for the life & study in your chosen univ
 Language
 Food & mosque
 Housing
 Keep contact with professor

11. Notification Samples

12. Life in Japan: Muslim Activities

13. Life in Japan: Ramadan & Eid

14. Life in Japan: Traveling & Culture

15. Life in Japan: Tokyo City Tour

16. Life in Japan: Happy Moments

17. Useful Links
 Monbukagakusho Scholarship
http://www.id.emb-japan.go.jp/sch.html
 Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
http://www.titech.ac.jp/english/graduate_school/
 PPTokodai
http://ppi-tokodai.net/
 Study in Japan
http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/index.html
 Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)
http://www.jasso.go.jp/index_e.html