MEXT Government Scholarship Overview: Embassy Recommendation for Applicants in Malaysia

Summary

This video provides an in-depth guide to the Japanese government's Mexican scholarship, focusing on the postgraduate program for Malaysian applicants. It outlines the year-long application process, including document submission, language exams, interviews, and university applications. The host shares personal experiences and offers advice on preparing a strong research proposal, navigating interviews, and securing provisional acceptance from universities. Viewers are encouraged to ask questions for a follow-up Q&A session.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video discusses the Japanese government's scholarship program, specifically focusing on the postgraduate scholarship for applicants in Malaysia.
• 🔍 The application process for the Monbukagakusho (MEXT) scholarship takes nearly a year, with a five-step process that narrows down applicants to the final 20 selected.
• 📅 Applications typically open in March for a short period, and results are announced in January the following year.
• 📑 Preparing documents in advance is crucial, including academic transcripts and other required documents, especially for those from overseas universities.
• 📝 A well-crafted research proposal is essential for the document assessment phase and should be reviewed by a professor or expert before submission.
• 💬 Language exams are part of the process, but knowledge of Japanese is not required as the exam can be taken in English.
• 🗣️ An interview with a panel is a significant part of the selection process, focusing on the submitted research plan and conducted in English.
• 🏫 The university application phase involves obtaining a Letter of Provisional Acceptance (LPA) from the university of choice, with each university having different procedures.
• 🏆 Even after passing the interview, applicants are not guaranteed selection and must wait for final results, which are announced in January.
• 💰 MEXT does not provide the first month's allowance, and applicants should be prepared to cover initial expenses of around 5,000 ringgit.
• ❓ The video creator encourages viewers to ask questions in the comments for a potential Q&A follow-up video about the scholarship.

Q & A

What is the Mexican scholarship mentioned in the video?

The Mexican scholarship is a program provided by the Japanese government for international students, including undergraduates and postgraduates, to study in Japan.

What is the specific scholarship program discussed in the video?

The video focuses on the Embassy Recommendation Postgraduate Scholarship for applicants in Malaysia.

What is the duration of the application process for the Mexican scholarship in Malaysia?

The application process takes approximately a year, starting from March and concluding with results in January.

How long does the application window typically remain open?

The application window usually opens in March and remains open for about two weeks.

What is the importance of preparing academic transcripts before the application period?

Academic transcripts are required documents for the application. Preparing them beforehand, especially for those from overseas universities, ensures a smoother application process.

Why is the research proposal a crucial part of the application?

The research proposal is essential because it is the basis for the entire application process, and subsequent steps will be dependent on the quality and content of the proposal.

What language exams are required for postgraduate students applying for the scholarship?

Postgraduate students must take a language exam in either English or Japanese. However, not knowing Japanese is not a barrier to applying for the scholarship.

What is the significance of the interview in the application process?

The interview is a critical part of the process, where applicants are assessed by a panel based on their submitted research plan and their ability to answer in-depth questions about it.

What is the role of the Letter of Provisional Acceptance (LPA) in the fourth phase of the application?

The LPA is a document from a university indicating their willingness to accept the applicant if they receive the scholarship. It is submitted to the Mexican scholarship committee as part of the application process.

How does the final selection of the university work for the scholarship recipients?

The final university selection is made by the Mexican scholarship committee, which may choose a different university than the applicant's first choice based on their assessment.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the first month's allowance for the scholarship recipients?

The speaker advises that the Mexican scholarship does not provide the first month's allowance, and recipients should be prepared to cover their initial expenses, suggesting a minimum of five thousand ringgit.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to the Japanese Government Scholarship

The video script introduces the Japanese Government Scholarship, highlighting its various types, including those for undergraduates, postgraduates, and Japanese language training. The focus is on the embassy-recommended postgraduate scholarship for applicants in Malaysia, as the speaker has personal experience with it. The process is described as lengthy, taking nearly a year with a five-step process that narrows down applicants. The script emphasizes the importance of preparing documents in advance, especially academic transcripts, and the necessity of a well-crafted research proposal, which is central to the application. The speaker also mentions a separate Q&A video to address common questions about the scholarship.

05:01

🗣️ Language Exam and Interview Process

This paragraph details the language exam and interview stages of the scholarship application process. The language exam is not a barrier for those without Japanese knowledge, as English is also accepted. The interview is conducted by a panel and focuses on the applicant's research plan. It is noted as a nerve-wracking part due to the presence of specialists in the applicant's field. The interview is in English, and applicants are advised to prepare their soft skills. The results of the interview take about a month to be announced, and even after passing, it does not guarantee selection.

10:01

🏫 University Application and Final Selection

The final part of the application process involves applying to universities and obtaining a Letter of Provisional Acceptance (LPA). Each university has its own process, and applicants are advised to research and prepare accordingly. The script describes personal experiences with different universities, emphasizing the variability in application procedures. After submitting the LPAs, the final selection is made by the Japanese government, and applicants are notified in January. The script also mentions the financial considerations, such as the first month's allowance and the initial deposit required for the scholarship.

Keywords

💡Mexican Scholarship

The 'Mexican Scholarship' refers to a scholarship program provided by the Japanese government, which is the central topic of the video. The video discusses various aspects of this scholarship, including its application process and the types of scholarships available, such as for undergraduates, postgraduates, and Japanese language training. The term is used to introduce the main subject of the video and is repeatedly mentioned to emphasize its importance.

💡Embassy Recommendation

The term 'Embassy Recommendation' is used in the context of the application process for the postgraduate scholarship in Malaysia. It signifies that the scholarship application is recommended by the embassy, which is a key step in the process. The script mentions this as a specific type of scholarship for which the speaker has personal experience and can provide detailed guidance.

💡Postgraduate

In the script, 'postgraduate' refers to students who have completed their undergraduate studies and are pursuing higher degrees, such as a master's or a Ph.D. The video focuses on the postgraduate scholarship, which is a subset of the Mexican Scholarship program specifically tailored for those seeking to advance their education beyond a bachelor's degree.

💡Research Proposal

A 'Research Proposal' is a document that outlines the research intentions and methodology of a prospective study. In the context of the Mexican Scholarship, it is a crucial part of the application process. The script emphasizes the importance of spending time to draft a good research proposal, as it is the basis for the subsequent stages of the application.

💡Document Assessment

The 'Document Assessment' is the first phase of the application process for the Mexican Scholarship. It involves the submission and evaluation of various documents, including the research proposal. The script describes this step as the most important part of the application process, as it filters applicants based on the quality of their submitted documents.

💡Language Exam

The 'Language Exam' is a part of the Mexican Scholarship selection process that tests the applicant's proficiency in English and/or Japanese. The script clarifies that knowledge of Japanese is not a requirement for the scholarship, and applicants can choose to take the exam in English, which is particularly relevant for those whose program will be conducted in English.

💡Interview

An 'Interview' in the context of the video refers to a face-to-face evaluation with a panel, which is a significant part of the scholarship application process. It is described as nerve-wracking and involves discussing the applicant's research plan in detail with specialists in the field. The interview is conducted in English and is a key factor in determining the final selection of scholarship recipients.

💡University Application

The 'University Application' phase involves the applicant seeking provisional acceptance from universities they wish to attend if they receive the scholarship. The script explains that this process varies by university and requires applicants to research and prepare accordingly, with some universities requiring more stringent procedures than others.

💡Letter of Provisional Acceptance (LPA)

A 'Letter of Provisional Acceptance (LPA)' is a document from a university indicating their willingness to accept an applicant as a student, provided they secure the scholarship. The script describes this as a necessary component of the university application phase, with different universities having different methods for issuing LPAs.

💡Application Timeline

The 'Application Timeline' refers to the duration and sequence of events in the scholarship application process, which is described as taking nearly a year. The script outlines the various stages, from the initial document submission in March to the final results in January, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and proactive throughout the timeline.

💡Scholarship Allowance

The 'Scholarship Allowance' is the financial support provided to scholarship recipients. The script mentions that the first month's allowance is not provided, and applicants should be prepared to cover their initial expenses, which may amount to around five thousand ringgit, highlighting the financial considerations involved in accepting the scholarship.

Highlights

Introduction to the Japanese government scholarship program, including various types of scholarships available.

Focus on the Embassy Recommendation Postgraduate Scholarship for applicants in Malaysia.

The application process takes nearly a year, with a five-step process to select the final 20 candidates.

Application period opens in March for a short window, emphasizing the need for preparedness.

Importance of having academic transcripts and other documents ready before the application period.

The document assessment phase is crucial, requiring a well-prepared research proposal.

Language exams for postgraduates are not difficult, with English and Japanese options available.

Clarification that knowledge of Japanese is not a requirement for the scholarship.

The interview phase involves a panel and is focused on the submitted research plan.

Interviews are conducted in English, alleviating concerns about language barriers.

The university application phase requires obtaining a Letter of Provisional Acceptance (LPA).

Each university has a unique process for issuing LPAs, requiring tailored approaches.

The final selection of the university is made by the Japanese government, not the applicant.

The scholarship does not provide the first month's allowance, requiring applicants to be financially prepared.

The high-risk nature of the application process, with the final outcome being uncertain.

The importance of considering alternative plans during the lengthy application period.

Invitation for viewers to leave questions in the comments for a future Q&A video.

Transcripts

[Music]

Salam alaikum Anisha thank you for

joining this episode of I can be

speaking with me

Isaiah and in today's episode we will be

talking about the max government

scholarship now the Mexican scholarship

is a scholarship that is provided by the

Japanese government and if you get their

website they have a long list of what

kinds of scholarships they have they

have scholarships for undergraduates

they have squash it for postgraduates

now after squatchers for Japanese digit

chaining and a lot not so in my context

I will be specifically speaking about

the embassy recommendation postgraduate

scholarship for applicants in Malaysia

and why it's because that's the one I

have most experience with and also my

husband has the same experience and I

feel like that is the one that I will be

able to help you the most with so if you

have no idea about what the government

the Mexican scholarship what's it about

and you know how you can apply for it

then please stay tuned and watch this

video since there's a lot to cover

I feel like I'm gonna first do a brief

overview on it and then I will have a

separate video answering questions

regarding the scholarship because I did

post about the scholarship on my blog

before and I've collected quite a number

of questions that are often being asked

so I hope that if you also have any

questions about the my scholarship that

you would like to know and I'll try my

best to answer it you can just pop it in

the comments and we can discuss it in

another video of Q&A on the Mex

scholarship alright so let's start so

let's have an overview of this

scholarship application now the

application process for the mexican

scholarship embassy recommendation in

malaysia takes roughly a whole year

nearly a year at least ten months at

least ten months so application periods

start in March and you will only find

out the results

in January and in between what happens

in those ten months is a five-step

process the slowly cuts off the number

of applicants until it is the final 20

people who will be selected vacations

open usually in March and they are

usually open for roughly only two weeks

or so and if I'm not mistaken yeah yeah

it's roughly they open it for a very

short window and because of that a very

short timeframe what I always tell

people who want to apply it's that you

must get your talks ready beforehand

because they do need quite a number of

documents that you need to submit when

for example the documents that I feel

like were quite difficult that you need

to get beforehand are things like your

academic transcripts now mostly I think

is academic transcripts and especially

if you are from a universities overseas

like my husband was he did his degree in

the US so he really needed to have all

his certificate stems and certified so

you need to get all that done before the

time before the application period to

make things faster and smoother but they

won't they won't release the actual

application form for the year like this

year 2020 until those two weeks but

that's okay because they have previous

year's applications so you can have a

look at that and you can see what it's

like and just prepare yourself on what

you're going to write inside the

application form and what you need to

get ready so yeah one thing is go to the

home page which I will link below and

get the docs ready as quickly as you can

if you want but the document assessment

is the first and basically the most

important part of this whole application

process is because you will need to

submit in your research proposal and

everything from there on forth will be

based on the research proposal that you

submit so it's very important for you to

really take time and spend time on

drafting and creating or good research

proposal so make sure even before March

even now start now it's almost February

start now

crafting your research proposal and have

someone have a lecture have a professor

look at it to see if it's good that's

what actually I did as well my lecturer

had to look at it and help me finalize

it and make it better so I'd suggest you

do the same so after the document

assessment two weeks three weeks roughly

after that in somewhere in April usually

most usually somewhere in April you will

get the news of the results and if you

get to move on to the second phase which

is the language exam now for

postgraduate students language exams are

not that difficult in my opinion because

you will have to just answer a language

exam where it's either English and

Japanese and a lot of people yes I had

to clarify this a lot of times but it's

okay if you don't know Japanese this

scholarship doesn't matter if you know

Japanese if you don't know Japanese it's

fine you can apply either way my husband

has no background in Japanese at all his

program is completely in English so

don't worry about that you can apply

English and if you pass to the language

exam you do not need to answer the

Japanese part of the language exam you

don't you can try to give you points for

the eyes I think they will but I don't

know I think it's safer to not answer it

at all and you can just do the English

exam they do have mock English exams of

this on your website if I'm not mistaken

so yeah I think it have a look at that

as well for the undergrads I think this

is where it's very difficult because you

have to answer things on you know

different subjects like physics and

based on what you're applying for so

after the language exam I think a month

or so you would get the next results of

if you pass into the most nerve-wracking

part of the whole thing which is the

interview the interview so during the

interview you'll be interviewed by a

panel of roughly seven I think maximum

five maximum seven by at least five

people will be interviewing you on the

research plan that you have submitted

prior in the document assessment during

your interview they will have

specialists based on your research plan

present so that they can

really get into it and ask you a lot of

difficult questions but it's okay be

confident and you'll be fine you should

note that the interviews will be

conducted in English so don't worry if I

remember during my time I was really

worried I was gonna be in Japanese I

definitely wouldn't be able to carry

myself well because I haven't been

speaking in a while so I have that in

mind they won't have it in Japanese or

Malay should do brush up on your

interviewing skills or your soft skills

on how to approach interviews interviews

are roughly 20 maximum 30 minutes but

yeah you will have you are 20 25 to 30

minutes for the interview

now since the interview is one of the

most important parts of this whole

application it usually takes a month or

more roughly two I think for them to

come up with a results for you but do

keep in mind that even after you have

passed the interview process it they

will still state very clearly in the

email that this still does not mean that

you have been selected it's just you

know the whole process is still that a

hungry lot if you get the email that

says you have passed the interview you

will move on to the fourth phase which

is the university application university

applications is very different for each

university not all the universities have

the exact same way of approaching their

max graduates each universities are very

different so my best advice is while

waiting for the two-month-long results

from the interview do your research on

the university that you plan on applying

to can submit up to three LPS which is

letter of provisional acceptance now the

letter of the LPA the letter of

provisional acceptance is what you will

need to get from a university and you

will need to submit it to max and say

hey look this university is willing to

accept me should I get the scholarship

it's that kind of thing

my nose so that's what you have to do in

the fourth phase finding university

getting in touch and asking them hey how

can I get an LPA so for my university at

least mine is Yoshino my university my

was very straightforward where I just

had to email the supervisor that I was

interested in doing my PhD with and we

talked it out

we had some I had some Skype calls and

then when he was like ok I'm fine

um he will then write for me a letter of

provisional acceptance and you can send

them documents to write it design it

back to you or some mine went through my

mostly went all through email except for

the real LPA which was sent into they'll

send it through the mail yeah but some

universities are much more strict like

for my husband who applied for Waseda YC

that doesn't do anything online they

want everything in hard copies and you

have to send it all the way to Japan

sometime that take some time and yeah

it's quite tricky and they'll send the

results the same way as well they won't

let you know through any email or

whatever and for YC that it's different

what's it that they didn't want you

don't have to go to the you don't have

to go to the professor you don't have to

talk directly to the professor in-state

you deal completely with the office and

you just say these are the professors

that I wish to work with and then the

office will do everything else for you

and you know so that's why I say each

university is very different once you

have those LPS from all those

universities max will give you like a

timeframe like this is the last day for

you to submit all the universities that

have accepted you and yeah so that's

what you do but after you submit in the

applications then everything is totally

up to mixed and by this time is probably

gonna be around November and they will

not let you know the results until

January and even though I should

highlight this even though you have put

in your top three LPS

and it's alright even if you don't get

up to three like my husband he he

applied for a couple but he ended up

only sending one which is his one see

that one cuz he really just wanted to go

to what Sarah and he thought that if you

had to go anywhere else and he didn't

want to do it so what's it he only sent

in his one LP a so it's alright if you

just want to send in one if you only got

one

it's alright it's still good Naha mila

in january you'll be notified if you

have been selected for the scholarship

and you should be noted again there's a

lot of things to know is that the final

university selection will be by mixed so

even though I gave my top 3 universities

and I put the number one that I really

wanted to end up at the end of the day

mixed will choose which university that

they ultimately feel the best I go to so

even though I am I didn't get my first

choice I got my second choice was just

so good anyway I'm already in my said

yes so I heard me laugh you know God

knows best so like my husband I said

that he only said in one so it's it's a

it's a really russian roulette' kind of

thing it's you know it's a high-risk

thing but umbrella they got him into

they accepted the LPA and you know he

got he went to Wasilla does this

application process is very long and

very lengthy in takes a lot of time you

should if you are a fresh grad planning

on continuing your masters I'm not sure

what you want to do you should really

think about what you want to do in

between those timeframes you know even

work or whatnot and another thing I

should say there's so many things I need

to say yeah it's like so many

disclaimers max will not give you your

first month's allowance and they will

say that the first month you are on your

own and they will usually ask you to pay

around five thousand ringgit minimum for

you to be comfortable to you know

survive that so yeah things like that

this and it's good actually that it it's

quite lengthy so if you are working they

may be preparing that amount of money

would be that difficult which you are

student and you need to save up you know

there's

things that you can think about when

applying for the scholarship or before

applying for the scholarship so it's

February now there's roughly a month or

so before the applications will start

opening I'll link down all the important

websites that I think at that and also

if you're not a video person in

everything I said is just well you don't

want to read it all again I have it on

my blog and you can check that out too

so please do leave any questions that

you have in the comment section and I'll

try my best to answer them in a more

specific question and answer video on

the Mac scholarship till then I hope you

guys had a good January now that we're

moving into February and yeah hope to

see you guys soon

bye Sarah Michael

[Music]