MEXT Scholar, Dinh Khanh An from Vietnam, Pursues a Bachelor’s in Global Liberal Arts at Ritsumeikan University, Japan

Hello everyone, my name is Dinh Khanh An. I am currently in my second year of university at the College of Global Liberal Arts in Ritsumeikan University. My passion is building brands and systems that blend artistic style with meaningful purpose. My goal is to create services that not only inspire but also deliver human-centered value to the community.

MEXT Scholarship Details

I am currently a recipient of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) full-ride scholarship, which enables me to fully dedicate my four years of study to pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Ritsumeikan University, including an exchange program at the Australian National University. The scholarship covers round-trip airfare, full tuition, and a monthly stipend.

Educational Background

Before moving to Japan, I spent three years at the Foreign Language Specialized School (FLSS), the only high school in Vietnam specializing in foreign languages and consistently ranked among the top three nationwide. With a 4.0 GPA and a strong commitment to both humanitarian initiatives and debating, I had the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded peers to build systems, courses, and projects that served community and educational goals.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the MEXT Scholarship?

The government scholarship came as a complete surprise. I had never imagined spending my college years in Japan. Still, I approached the application with full seriousness, and that commitment is ultimately what brought me here. I first learned about Ritsumeikan nine months before applying, and during that time, I recorded every essay idea I had, beginning my official drafts three months before the deadline. For my extracurricular section, I focused primarily on my experiences in debate training and leading humanitarian initiatives.

How Do You Rate Ritsumeikan University Academically and Why?

I would say it is a very international learning environment with a high percentage of students coming from various parts of the world. So, the classes of my college are held in English and the courses are widely varied in subjects, domains that cater to any preference students may have. The professors I have studied under are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and supportive. I also enjoy the Japanese course (optional) here; I think it is a very useful opportunity to hone another Asian language during college.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

One thing that truly surprised me about receiving the scholarship was that I had zero knowledge of Japanese when I applied, even though the program has traditionally prioritized applicants with a Japanese background. This can be encouraging news for anyone interested in applying to MEXT but who hasn’t learned Japanese yet.

Before high school, I was involved in humanitarian activities that allowed me to interact with a wide range of people in society, which later motivated me to initiate my own projects during high school. I went on to lead annual charity funds and community projects in mountainous regions of Vietnam, helping families build houses from scratch, teaching free English to local children, and providing schools with essential materials for flood protection. Alongside that, I dedicated myself to debating from early high school and later had the opportunity to work with like-minded peers to train younger students and serve as a judge at several debate tournaments.
However, my application did not only highlight my accomplishments. I also shared my “true self,” including my shortcomings and weaknesses, and how I have been continuously learning and growing from them.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

It’s never too late to start, as long as you put your mind to the work seriously. Do it with your true heart, reveal your true self, and carefully think about what you truly want in your college years if you have received this scholarship. MEXT scholarship has always been a competitive scholarship, so try to start with scratch ideas as soon as possible and trust yourself. Wishing you all the best.