How I Secured a Fully Funded Technical Program at Osaka Sogo College of Design, Japan Through the MEXT Senshugakko Scholarship

Hi! My name is Sofia Rodriguez Nuñez, and I’m from Argentina. I am currently completing the final courses for my second degree: a Bachelor’s in Asian Studies at the University of El Salvador in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prior to this, I completed a Bachelor’s in Visual Arts at the National University of the Arts, also in Buenos Aires. In 2016, I was granted the MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Scholarship, which allowed me to pursue a fully funded, 3-year technical program in Japan. This included 1 year of intensive Japanese language studies and 2 years of specialized vocational training in Visual Communication. This experience allowed me to expand my horizons, sparking a deep interest in learning more about other cultures in Asia and the rest of the world. Looking ahead, I aspire to specialize in Asian art, with the aim of building a bridge between my country and Asia in the field of visual arts.

MEXT Scholarship Details

I was awarded the MEXT Senshugakko (Specialized Training College) scholarship, a 3-year program fully funded by the Japanese Government. In my case, it consisted of 1 year of intensive Japanese language study at the Osaka Japanese Language Education Center (JASSO), followed by a 2-year vocational training course in Visual Communication at the Osaka Sogo College of Design, also located in Osaka, Japan. To secure the scholarship, I applied through the Embassy Recommendation track, which involved a rigorous selection process that included both an examination phase and an interview. The scholarship provided full tuition and enrollment fee waivers, round-trip airfare, and a monthly stipend for living expenses (approx. ¥140,000).

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I am currently a recipient of the EVC-CIN Scholarship (Scientific Vocation Stimulus Grant), awarded by the National Interuniversity Council in Argentina. This scholarship is designed for undergraduate students looking to get started in research. The program provides a monthly stipend for 12 months in exchange for a commitment of 12 hours per week to an accredited research project at a public university (in my case, the National University of the Arts).

Educational Background

At the time of my application, I was a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Visual Arts, a degree directly related to the field I chose for the scholarship. Furthermore, I had already been studying Japanese for more than three years and possessed an advanced level of English, which was a key requirement for applicants. Although there is no specific benchmark or maximum passing score required for the MEXT exams, the process is highly competitive, and only the top performers are selected. For this reason, my goal was to prepare myself as thoroughly as possible over the course of a year in the three evaluated subjects: mathematics, English, and Japanese. To achieve this, I also took an intensive mathematics course specifically tailored to face the scholarship's math examination.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Osaka Sogo College of Design?

I first found information about the MEXT scholarship online, on the official website of the Embassy of Japan in Argentina, which later prompted me to visit the Embassy in person to ask further questions. Since I was applying for the Senshugakko scholarship, I did not apply to any institution directly; instead, placements are assigned by the Japanese government to the recipients once they have been selected.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the MEXT Senshugakko?

As mentioned before, I took an intensive mathematics course and also continued training in Japanese and English for a year to prepare for the scholarship examinations.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I consider that my application may have stood out due to its consistency throughout the selection process. This was reflected in the accurate submission of the required documentation, achieving one of the highest scores among the pool of applicants, and addressing all interview questions with confidence, while demonstrating determination and a clear objective regarding my interest in studying art in Japan.

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

I wish I had practiced even more for the mathematics section so I could have solved the exercises faster, since the exam duration is limited to just one hour.

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

I would advise taking the first step of the selection process very seriously, which concerns the submission of the requested documentation. This is your chance to make a good first impression. Also, considering how demanding the exams are, the more prepared and well-trained you are, the better. Take into account that the selection process is a competition among all applicants, and only the best candidates are selected. However, even if you fail your first try, don’t give up! This is also a learning process, and you can apply as many times as the scholarship's age limit allows.