If you’ve been toying with the idea of studying abroad, one country that may be at the top of your list is Japan. This island nation has a unique culture and incredible historical sites, but in addition to all that, it also has very affordable tuition rates and plenty of scholarship opportunities for international students looking to enroll in Japanese schools.
For more information about these opportunities and how to get them, check out the following article on how to get a scholarship to study in Japan.
How to Get a Scholarship to Study in Japan
Step 1: Decide on Your Goals
Deciding what type of scholarship you want is the first step. Scholarships can be offered by universities, government institutions, or private organizations. The next step is to research each different type of scholarship and see which one best meets your needs. Then, you must apply for the scholarship and be selected as a finalist. For some scholarships, you may need to write an essay or send in information about yourself. The final step is receiving confirmation that you have won the scholarship.
Step 2: Consider Your Needs
If you are looking for scholarships, you’ll want to find one that is the best fit for your needs. This can be tricky because there are so many different types of scholarship, each with its own set of criteria and requirements.
You will need to take into consideration what type of school and degree you’re interested in pursuing, what country or region you would like to study in, and how much money is available. For example, if your goal is specific (i.e., completing an Executive MBA), then you would want to find scholarships that meet those criteria (in this case an MBA).
If your goal is more broad-based (i.e., studying abroad), then you would want to look at all types of scholarships–not just those for business degrees.
Step 3: Know the Deadlines
The deadlines for scholarships are typically earlier than what you might find in other countries. For example, Japanese universities will release their application deadlines on January 1st. As soon as they announce the deadline, they start accepting applications.
If you miss the initial application window, which is two weeks, then your chances of getting a scholarship from that university go way down. The same is true if you wait too long and miss out on the second round of applications (which usually happens around March).
Step 4: Compile Your Information
Since the United States and Japan have different education systems, it is important that you are aware of the differences. For example, Japanese students are not required to take SAT or ACT tests. However, American students must submit their scores on these tests when applying for scholarships.
Furthermore, the Japanese Ministry of Education expects you to have completed at least one year of study at a junior college before entering a four-year university. This means that an American student would need two years of coursework before being able to enroll in higher-level courses.
Therefore, if you wish to study abroad in Japan and want financial assistance from your home country’s government, be sure you know how this will affect your scholarship chances.
Step 5: Arrange for an Interview (optional)
If you’re still interested in the program after completing your application, we encourage you to schedule an interview. Please note that if you are applying for financial aid and are awarded it, an interview is not required.
In order to make sure that the scholarship committee can best assess your individual needs and circumstances, we recommend coming prepared with your financial documents (whether they be bank statements or tax returns), academic records, letters of recommendation, and/or other pertinent information.
You should also prepare answers to questions such as Why do you want this scholarship? What would you do if you receive a scholarship? and What does success look like for you?
Step 6: Don’t Wait till the Last Minute
What are you waiting for? You can start today. Make the decision and then commit yourself 100% to it. The first step is always the hardest, but once you get over it, everything else will seem like child’s play. And if you’re still feeling undecided, here are a few things that might help you out.
Conclusion
It is not difficult to get a scholarship to study abroad in Japan. You can search for scholarships on websites like this one, or talk with your university about the options available. It’s important that you plan ahead and research as much as possible before committing to anything. If you’re considering studying abroad, don’t forget about the scholarships that are out there!