How Parker Fox, an American Scholar, Received the MEXT Scholarship for Undergraduate Study at Kyushu University

Hello! My name is Parker Fox, and I am from Laguna Niguel, California, in the United States. I came to Japan in 2024 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences as well as to learn the Japanese language through immersion. I am currently studying at Kyushu University in the international undergraduate program for bioresource and biotechnology. I specifically chose Kyushu University because of the surrounding nature as well as student-led organizations.

MEXT Scholarship Details

I am a recipient of the Japanese government MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan) scholarship through university recommendation. I receive 120,000 yen every month as well as the first flight from my home country to Japan before starting school and the last flight from Japan to my home country after graduating.

Other Offered Scholarships

The University of Tsukuba also offered me to be a recipient of the Tsukuba Scholarship for a monthly stipend of 60,000 yen.

Educational Background

I graduated high school with a 4.1 weighted GPA. Often, Japanese universities don’t consider AP credits, so having a diversified portfolio that correctly spans the field you want to study becomes very important.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Kyushu University?

I emailed each university’s respective international departments and was able to schedule in-person school tours. I used money I saved from part-time jobs to travel there, and the tours helped me to decide which were my top choices. As I had done an individual tour of each university, it allowed everyone to put a name to my face, increasing my chances of them remembering me when it came to grading applicants. I also was left with ample time to revise my application essays through trial and error with my teachers, which was helpful.

How Did You Find Information About MEXT Scholarship and Kyushu University?

Almost two years before applying to college, I attended an online Japanese vocational college and university seminar and took notes on all the ones that interested me.

I had known about the MEXT scholarship for a while through Reddit and other student experiences shared on YouTube, which were both really helpful in learning more about the details.

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

I took both the SAT and ACT, but I only ended up submitting the ACT in my application. I studied for both of them with past practice books at my local public library.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for MEXT Scholarship?

The first thing I did was look up the potential scholarships I could be considered for and what they meant. Each scholarship has a meaning, and for Kyushu University, I could only submit one essay about consideration for a scholarship. When researching the purpose of MEXT, I saw it was to have scholars act as bridges between Japan and their home country. This helped me to focus my essay on what I can bring to Japanese academia and how I can help foster relations with other countries.

How Do You Rate Kyushu University Academically and Why?

As an international student, I rate Kyushu University academically a 6.5 out of 10. The bad points are that the classes are rigid and don’t offer much room for selection, the management of the international program is not very organized, and there is no basic education given to teach against gender, sexual, racial, etc. discrimination. The good points are the comprehensive general education in common subjects, the laboratory visit opportunities, exposure to different professors in each lecture from the second year, and the requirement to write and present a thesis by your fourth year.

How Does Kyushu University Support International Students?

There are many cultural associations depending on what country you are from, which helps many students feel somewhat familiar in a foreign country. There is counseling offered, as well as many different forms of English help around the campus.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Japanese?

Classes are conducted in English, but Japanese classes are mandatory for the first three semesters.

What Did You Pursue After the Scholarship?

I will pursue a master’s degree at a different institution after completing my bachelor’s degree.

Would Students Face Academic Problems Without Knowing Japanese?

Yes, I believe there would be some difficulty, as some laboratories are Japanese-speaking only. Also, when some professors have trouble expressing their words about certain topics, they can suddenly switch to Japanese, but sometimes others in the class can translate.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I was very active in extracurriculars. I started a culture club to promote cross-cultural understanding and connection; I actively volunteered at a marine science education organization; I had internship experience and was a member of the National Honor Society. I was also very sure of my direction in life and career, making it easier for me to answer tricky questions during the online interview process.

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

I would have studied more calculus and physics during high school.

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

I would advise people looking for a similar scholarship to know their options. While I went the university recommendation route, there is also an embassy recommendation route which, instead of putting you in an international program, puts you in the regular Japanese program after doing Japanese language school. Most universities also have scholarship pages, which I would definitely recommend looking at. The staff working in the scholarship division are often very helpful and can help answer any questions you have, so I would also advise reaching out!