The MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship — A Bahamian’s Step-by-Step Guide to Studying in Japan
Kiandro Scavella
🇯🇵🇧🇸 The MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship — A Bahamian’s Step-by-Step Guide to Studying in Japan 🎓
Back in 2018, I was awarded the Monbukagakusho Scholarship from MEXT Japan — that’s the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. This scholarship is one of the most generous in the world, covering tuition, flights, housing, and even providing a monthly stipend. For any Bahamian who’s ever dreamed of studying in Japan, this is your golden ticket.
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how I got it — from the early preparation to the final “Yes” email that changed my life.
What You Should Know Before You Apply
- Applications open between late February and early March each year.
- It’s a global scholarship — every country applies through its local Japanese embassy or consulate.
- There are two main categories for university-level study: Undergraduate and Research Student (Graduate).
Undergraduate Track
If you’re applying right out of high school, this is your route. You’ll need to show a real interest in both the Japanese language and your chosen field of study. Even if you plan to study in English, you’ll still need to engage with Japan’s culture and language seriously.
Research Student Track
This is the path I took. You start as a 研究学生 (kenkyuusei) — a research student — and have the chance to extend your scholarship into a full master’s or even doctoral program. You’ll conduct research under a professor and as a scholarship student you'll be exempt from the university entrance exam.
The Application Process (and How to Survive It)
My process began in March 2017, but I’d known about MEXT for two years before that. That’s my first tip: prepare early. Have your documents in order, make multiple copies, and stay organized. My mother used to say, “Make five copies of everything, just in case.” She was right, I still do.
Your Research Proposal
If you’re applying as a research student and haven’t written your thesis yet, you’ll need a detailed proposal explaining what you want to study and why it’s relevant to Japan. Your main question should always be: “Why can’t this research be done anywhere else but Japan?”
Choosing Universities
Early in the process, you’ll need to list your first, second, and third choice universities. These can be changed later, but research them thoroughly. Look for programs taught in English if needed, and understand each school’s entrance requirements. You'll be given a list of universities in Japan that sponsor this scholarship from your local embassy via email.
Letters of Recommendation
Don’t play around here , you need rock-solid letters. Think: concrete, heartfelt, “I would bet my career on this student” type recommendations. These letters carry weight. Once you have your letters of recommendation you're almost there.
Health Certification
You’ll need a detailed medical form completed by a doctor — stamped, dated, and less than six months old. Even if you don’t get asked for it immediately, have it ready. You don’t want this to hold you back later. You can get this done at any local clinic or a hospital. A clinic visit will probably be faster and cheaper though. From what I can remember, they send you the form in Japanese but the form has English on it so the doctor doing the check up can read it.
The Exam Stage
Now for the stressful part. Depending on your track, you’ll take an English exam (mandatory for everyone) and sometimes a Japanese exam or tests in your field. Aim for at least 75/100 on the English portion.
Tip: During the Japanese test, even if you know absolutely nothing, stay until the end. Finishing the full paper shows commitment, I was the last one in that room, and I swear it made a difference. Granted I was also the only person in the room that knew any Japanese, because there were only about seven of us.
After the Exam — The Interview Stage
If your performance impresses the panel, you’ll be invited for an interview (I got my call the same afternoon). This is where they test your:
- Purpose — Is your research meaningful and connected to Japan?
- Independence — Can you survive and thrive in Japan without hand-holding?
- Experience — Do you have the background to support your proposal?
They will challenge your topic, your reasoning, and your confidence. Stay calm, know your “why,” and be ready to defend it.
Securing Your Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
Once you pass the interview, you’ll be asked to contact your universities of choice to secure a Letter of Acceptance (LOA). You’ll receive official documents from your embassy confirming your eligibility.
Send polite, professional emails (in Japanese if possible) to professors you’d like to study under. Introduce yourself, mention your embassy’s endorsement, and ask if they can supervise your research. Some may reply in Japanese, so translation tools — or a tutor — will help.
Pro Tips:
- Apply to up to three schools at once.
- Always have a fallback school.
- Call and email — don’t rely on one method.
Once you get your LOA, send it to the embassy immediately. Rumor has it, if you reach this stage, your odds of final selection are around 99.9%.
The Long Wait
By this point, it’s usually September. Then comes the waiting game. Most applicants hear back between late December and early March. In my case, I applied in March 2017 and got my final “Yes” in January 2018. It’s a long process, but worth every second.
I started school in September 2018 and finished my master's degree in 2022. You'll be asked if you want to return to your country after the scholarship as ended, I opted to stay a few more years and gain more fluency in Japanese before returning. You don't have to return but if you decline the return offer the first time, the return flight is no longer complimentary.
Final Contract & Departure
If you accept the scholarship terms (you will), you’re on your way to Japan to start your new academic chapter. Pack your bags, prep your mind, and brace yourself — this is the start of something life-changing.
Undergraduate applicants: note that you do not have to do interviews. Lucky you. 😉
For full official details and updated requirements, visit:
Written by Kiandro Scavella — Bahamian scholar, Japanese graduate, and proud MEXT recipient (2018) 🇯🇵🇧🇸
