Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship Scholar Griselda from Indonesia Shares Her Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Bachelor's at the Kyoto University, Japan

Hi! My name is Griselda, and I’m an Indonesian student pursuing my Chemical Science and Technology (or basically Chemical Engineering) bachelor’s degree at Japan’s Kyoto University. I’m in the International Undergraduate Program (iUP), which consists of a 6-month preparatory course alongside the 4-year degree.

If I had to describe myself in one word, I would say that I am curious, which I feel is both a curse and a blessing. My curiosity led me into an amalgamation of hobbies. I enjoy reading, watching documentaries, writing short stories and poems, singing, though ultimately, I’ve always had an interest in science. But that made it rather difficult to choose a major. I juggled between various fields of science, from Pure Mathematics to Astronomy, Medicine to Paleontology, before eventually settling on Chemical Engineering. Growing up in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, I am well-acquainted with every form of pollution. This experience catalyzed my interest in clean alternative energy, eventually paving a path for my current field of study.

Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship Details

Right now, I am on the Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship given by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. The scholarship provides a full-ride tuition exemption, a monthly 120,000 JPY stipend, and a round-trip ticket between Japan and Indonesia.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I had received other scholarships in other institutions, including a full-ride scholarship, BINUS Widya Scholarship, from Indonesia’s BINUS University, and a 100,000 CAD partial scholarship from Canada’s University of Toronto.

In fact, I was initially awarded the Kyoto International Undergraduate Program (iUP) Scholarship by Kyoto University, though, through university recommendation, I was switched to the MEXT Scholarship.

Educational Background

During high school, I took the Cambridge International Exams (CIE) A-Levels curriculum, and completed the A-Levels exam with A*, A*, A, and A* results in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and English, respectively. I was the salutatorian within my graduating batch and had also participated in several national and international science competitions. I believe these helped familiarize me with the academic environment within my chosen field of study, thus supporting my application.

How Did You Find Information About the Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship and Kyoto University?

Throughout high school, I often joined university fairs and asked the representatives directly for admission and scholarship information. I also want to credit my guidance counselor in high school, who helped me explore my options and guided me throughout the university admission process.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I took IELTS, which I prepared for by joining an intensive course, and made use of free online materials like past questions and YouTube videos.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship?

To be honest, all of the scholarships that I was awarded were application-based, meaning that I did not apply for them separately from my university application. As for the MEXT scholarship, as I’ve said, I was initially awarded the Kyoto iUP Scholarship based on my application. However, the university recommended me to the Japanese Ministry of Education for the MEXT Scholarship, which was how I was transferred into my current scholarship.

As for my preparation itself, I focused on building a personal, yet relevant, motivation for my application. I made sure to connect my interests and experiences to my field, mentioning previous scientific projects I was involved in and prospective research I would be interested in upon admission, in my essay and interviews.

All in all, I wanted to convey to the institute that I had passion and value to contribute, which I believe helped me stand out for scholarship considerations.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Japanese?

In my program, the language used in lectures varies depending on the faculty and department. For mine in particular, we can take lectures in English for the entirety of the first year, while the number of lectures in Japanese gradually increases from the second year onwards.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing Japanese?

I feel that it really depends on one’s effort during the 6-month preparatory course provided by the university, as the course is designed not only to calibrate international students’ academic strength with the local Japanese students, but also as an intuitive Japanese language learning experience. It will help you build knowledge in both daily and academic Japanese.

Prior to my application, I had little to no Japanese skills at all. However, the scholarship covered the fees for a 2-month intensive language course before my arrival in Japan, in addition to the 6-month course before my degree starts. As such, I was able to reach a decent level of Japanese in my first semester, enough to communicate with local students.

While I could take classes in English for the entirety of my first year, I have friends in other departments, whose Japanese skills are equivalent to mine, who had classes in Japanese from their first year, yet they were able to manage. Of course, it is an extra challenge for them, but it speaks to the level of support the preparatory course provides for students’ Japanese skills.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Perhaps a given, but I believe a strong academic record displayed passion for the field to the institutions I applied to. However, I would also like to credit my extra-curricular profile, which I built from joining diverse organizations, committees, internships, volunteer work, and international forums. I believe these have helped demonstrate my willingness to contribute to my communities, which could be an attractive factor that institutions look for during admission.

As I mentioned previously, I tried to create a personal and relevant motivation, showing that I had a goal that could be supported by the institute and the scholarship.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Honestly? I am pretty happy with the process. However, I should have applied to more universities, as I only applied to 4. While I was accepted to all of them, I think that it was rather careless on my part.

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

I think it’s super important to keep track of all the institutions and scholarships you are applying to, as deadlines can get super messy, especially if you are a senior in high school. Things can get pretty overwhelming, so you can never start too early! Also, don’t be shy to reach out to past scholarship winners, ask around, or get involved in discussion forums. Not only can they give you insights about the scholarship, it can also be comforting to find people in the same boat as you!