MEXT Scholarship Journey: Shripriya from India Studying a Master's at Tohoku University

Hi, I am Shripriya! I am from India. I received the MEXT Scholarship in 2021 to come as a research student at Tohoku University in Japan. Later, I joined the Master’s program in Information Sciences as a MEXT Scholar.

I got my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Jabalpur, India. I decided to pursue a master’s degree because I was interested in exploring research topics relating to socioeconomic issues using data and technology. Since Japan offers a master's program with an extensive focus on research and includes writing a thesis at the end of the program, I decided to apply to Japan.

MEXT Scholarship Details

I knew about the MEXT Scholarship from my bachelor's because a lot of people from my university ended up coming on the same scholarship. That is why, I decided to apply as well and ended up getting the scholarship for 2.5 years (Research Student - 6 months + Masters Student - 2 years) to study at Tohoku University.

MEXT Scholarship covers the travel expenses (roundtrip ticket to the home country), the application and tuition fees, and provides a monthly stipend of 146,000 yen for a master’s student.

Educational Background

I did my bachelor's in Computer Science so it was a little bit easier to explain why I want to do a masters in the same field. MEXT requires the GPAs to be above 65-70%. I had 96.2% in high school and a GPA above 8.0 in university at the time of the application. I do think the score plays some importance in the beginning when screening out applications but the more important parts are the research theme and interest in Japan.

My background helped me with the necessary experience to connect my current interest to my future degree. For instance, I wanted to pursue Data Analytics in my master's. I listed out the relevant courses I took during my bachelor's along with some semester projects.

How Did you Prepare to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship? 

 For MEXT, I prepared my application by doing some research on Japan to bring in a cultural perspective and connect it with my current work. I recalled some experiences such as when a Japanese sensei visited our university for an intensive course, I found the course to be quite useful and aptly structured. I also kept my answers short and to the point as I was applying for Embassy Recommendation and the people screening my application will not be technical. Lastly, I watched some videos on how to write a research theme and followed the same flow for my answer. The key part is to connect it to future research in Japan and explain how it will benefit both the home country and Japan.

Before applying for MEXT, I took the TOEFL since most universities abroad require it. However, for Japan, a certificate from your university stating that the education has been conducted in English should suffice as well. I would still suggest taking the TOEFL exam since it is widely accepted. I ended up achieving a score of 109/120. I have also taken the TOEIC exam and scored 990/990.

To find more information, I would suggest visiting the MEXT website. I also started my YouTube channel to help people who want to come to Japan. I have an entire playlist dedicated to the process and FAQs.

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

 I would have done more research about the lab since I did not have the best experience. I only looked at my professor’s research but should have also talked to other students to learn more about the lab’s environment. It is vital to have a healthy lab environment since you will be spending a major part of your time there.

I would have also looked if the lab is international. Since I did not speak any Japanese, it was hard for me to contribute to the joint seminars conducted in Japanese.

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

The primary goal of applying for a scholarship is to not get selected but to get that first screening round cleared. That is why, I believe your application plays a huge role. Do not leave it to the last minute. Research what is expected and answer to the point. Lastly, I know it is easier said than done but try to be patient. It took me almost a year to get my acceptance letter. The scholarship process can be lengthy and may discourage some people but it is indeed a very good option to study for free in Japan!

Good luck with your application. Hope to see you in Japan!