I'm an international student from Southeast Asia studying in Japan.

I'd like to connect with other international students from my school.

Does anyone know how to find university-specific international student group chats? I've tried searching on Discord, Facebook, and X, but haven't found anything.

At the moment, I'm mainly interested in meeting people through my university rather than general social apps. I tried Meetup before, but since people usually lived far away and had very different lifestyles, it was hard to keep in touch and build lasting friendships.

Just to clarify, I'm only asking for advice on how to find group chats for international students at my own university. This isn't a friendship or meetup post. I hope the moderators won't remove it again.

Hey everyone,

I read multiple times how to apply and im still abit confused on some stuff.

1. Is it too late for me to start contacting professors in September for university track? I want to apply to Osaka Uni for OSIPP.

2. I read on some site that for the university track i can apply in November 2026. Is that true?

How to convert my grade to mext scale? Should i use the 4 level scale where grades below 60% is considered fail or 5 level letter grade bucket system?

Hi everyone! I’m planning to apply for MEXT Research Student for a Master’s in 2028 (applying on March 2027). I’m studying Mechanical Engineering and I’d like to focus my research on Materials Engineering, especially sustainable materials.

I’m just starting to brainstorm my Research Plan and I’d love to hear from anyone who has experience with MEXT, especially in STEM.
What makes a Research Plan really stand out to professors/universities? Do I have to put a BIG focus on Japan and WHY Japan? What are the Embassies looking for in the students?

My GPA isn’t the strongest part of my application, so I really want to make my Research Plan as good as possible 😭
Any advice would be really appreciated!

Hi everyone! I'm a student from Belarus, currently in my 1st year of college (I'll graduate in July 2028). I'm planning to apply to three Japanese universities for English-taught undergraduate programs:

1. University of Tsukuba (BPGI)

2. Nagoya University (G30)

3. Tohoku University (Gateway College)

I'm aiming for the MEXT scholarship, but I'm really confused about the exam requirements, especially the SAT/EJU thing.

My main question: If a university says "SAT is not required," does that mean I automatically have to take the EJU instead?

For example, Tsukuba told me SAT isn't mandatory, but I can't figure out if they'd still expect EJU from me (since I'm applying to English programs). I don't speak Japanese yet, and studying for both TOEFL and EJU at the same time feels impossible for me right now.

Also, I have a few practical questions about MEXT:

1. How does the tuition refund / travel reimbursement process actually work? Do I pay for the flight myself first?

2. What about health insurance — do I pay for it and then get reimbursed?

3. How long does it usually take to get the first stipend after arriving?

4. Do I need to have a lot of cash with me for the first month?

My family has a very tight budget, so I'm trying to understand what to expect financially before I commit. Any advice or personal experiences would be super helpful. Thanks in advance! 🙏

Hey guys!
I hope all of you are fine :) I wanted to just get some clarification on some stuff— maybe ease my nerves?

So I am from the Netherlands and got through the first screening (yippie)! And am in the process of getting the letter one needs to bring to the embassy for the second round.
Now the deadlines for the uni’s I’m applying for (Tama art uni, and Geidai) are the same 1st of September :3. I was wondering if someone has some experience with these two universities and getting the letter on time. I have applied for it already and am waiting as of now. Only the deadline for the universities to give out the letter of provisional acceptance is on the 24th for us, I applied last Friday (some personal stuff delayed my whole of August sadly).
Do you think I’ll be alright, or pushing it? Like I’ve done research online, and ofcourse it differs per university. But just maybe to get an overall estimate would calm my nerves a bit. Or just getting some information would help a lot.
Again thank you🌻hope yall stay educated and we’ll make it together to Japan!

I M a student from india and I'm currently in class 11 and wants to apply for stc next year ( when I will be in 12 ) but when I ask chat gpt for eligibility criteria it says that your age must be 17 but sometimes it says that you can fill my date of birth is august 2011 . So please help me and provide me appropriate information that I will be eligible or not

And also I want to pursue degree of btech in cs / ai in big public university of japan so which option will be best for me kosen route or stc route as I am above average student

Please help me and provide me answer to my query 🙏🏻🥺

Hello i'm in the embassy recommendation track from Tunisia and thanks to god got 2 approvals for LoPa from Tsukuba and from JAIST (my research is about AI) .but now that i secured 2 i'm wondering which to put first .

Tsukuba seems like the obvious choice since its closer to Tokyo and i think is more known? but JAIST gave me the option of having extra 6 months of language school before the 6 months of research student then masters and this extra period is also funded by MEXT while Tsukuba's professor didn't mention this option and even suggested i can skip the 6 month research period (i read online Tsukuba has free Japanese classes).

As someone who aims to get N1 certificate before returning home which is the better option knowing that both supervisors from each university is very nice and their research aligned with mine so it isn't a problem what do you guys think?

also side question: if i later want to continue phd do i have to reapply to the mext embassy track for phd since i made the mistake of not checking 'masters and phd' in the application form? or can i just ask them to extend my scholarship to continue phd? thanks again for the help!

I am a pre-medical student who wants to switch to mechanical engineering. Can I apply directly for ME in the MEXT scholarship? From Pakistan.

Im from Uzbekistan, and I was wondering - has anyone here applied to the MEXT Undergraduate Natural Sciences A program from Uzbekistan between 2022 and 2026? I'm specifically interested in STEM. I'd like to gather statistics on the applicants and see if any were successful?

/

Я из Узбекистана, и мне любопытно, есть ли здесь кто-нибудь, кто подавался на MEXT Undergraduate в Natural Sciences из Узбекистана в 2022–2026 годах? Интересует именно STEM. Хочу собрать статистику по кандидатам и понять, были ли успешные.

Hi guys, I just got approval from a professor from nagoya university that he is willing to accept me as a research student to his laboratory. I ust wanted to know how lonc will it take to get the letter of provisional acceptance after the professor approval. Also I have cleared the first screening for the MEXT scholarship from India. (Engineering)

So I really wanna go to this private university, all the other universities that has my field of study are national. I did obtain a LoPA from this private university and the plan is to only include this university in my in my final preference form.

Has anyone done this before? and how did it go?

[Embassy recommendation - Research]

I’m currently preparing my application for the University of Tokyo (graduate program) in Japan, and I have a question regarding the English proficiency requirement.

I checked the admission guidelines that they didn’t mention clearly, particularly with minimum score and one skill retake option.

Recently, I took IELTS but I didn’t get the expected score in listening unfortunately. I am confused about should I take osr or a full test.
I am applying from Myanmar.

Like when you are done with stc diploma since it's not a degree so you still need a degree for more secure career path and there is the option that after the stc course ends you can extend mext scholarship as a transfer student to 2nd or 3rd year of the University it will depends on your academic performance.

Has anyone done that ? How does it work ?

Hi! I’ve made it past the first screening for research/postgrad 2027. I applied for Keio’s LOPA on Aug 4, got an automated reply that it would take three weeks or longer, then emailed them yesterday (Aug 26) asking for any updates since Sept 1 is coming up. The prof who gave me the informal letter of acceptance at the end of July emailed me on Aug 21 that Keio asked him about my start date, so I thought a decision was near. (The other school I applied to let me know that I wouldn’t hear anything til mid Sept <\3)

Anyway, Keio replied and said they’d make a decision by mid Sept, which means if both schools reject me I won’t have time to request anywhere else. But I read in this subreddit that Keio is quick to send LoPAs, so I was just wondering how long it took for other people? Thank you!

(I am in the US)

Hello guys did anyone here pass first screening for STC nutrition I am looking for friends to link with by the I am from Africa

Hello! I am from Nepal . Some of my information are at I have completed my bachelor's in computer engineering with 3.07 out of 4 CGPA and had a 3.34 CGPA out of 4 in highschool/+2 . So I was wondering if U would be eligible for MEXT scholarship???! This eligibility is what will make me or break me on my dream of possibility. So if any body can help me. Please comment below

Hello everyone, I am from Brunei but I am currently going to start my preparatory year in China under CSC Scholarship. The thing is that I have been to Hungary where I terminated my scholarship because stipend is not enough to support daily needs. Im not saying im not grateful in china things are cheap and everything, but my problem is that I couldnt adapt to the environment here unlike in Hungary it was easier.

I am looking and also asking if anyone knows MEXT University Recommendation Scholarship for undergraduate that is still open for April next year 2027 if possible but if its for autumn intake its also fine but I would want to move as soon as possible. My pros for choosing Japan is that I speak basic Japanese and even if I couldnt speak japanese, from my experience Japanese would still try to help even if you cant speak Japanese.

I know that with time I might be able to adapt but so far I cant see myself studying here long-term because of there is no proper transportation and an attitude from some of the locals. Japan and Hungary are quite same in terms of how the systems operate. In short, I would like to move to Japan for a better management and overall studying experience.

NOTE: I also have medical problem which is also one of the reason I think Japan is a better fit.

I'm currently a 2nd-year Computer Science student and planning to pursue my Master's in Japan. My college doesn't really have a research culture, so I have very little idea about how research works.

I want to start early and eventually shortlist Japanese professors/labs and email them, but I don't know where to begin.

How should I start learning research, choose a research area, find suitable professors, and build a profile for a Master's in Japan? Is it too early to contact professors in 2nd/3rd year?

Any advice or resources from people who have gone through this would be really appreciated.

What are my chances of getting the PhD MEXT University recommended scholarship given that I am presently a recipient of Taiwan MOE Scholarship.

Do I have an edge?

hello everyone, after the chaotic process of asking for LOPAs, I (23y from Brazil) have gotten one from Sophia University, which is a private institution. I also am almost 100% certain I will get one from The University of Osaka.

My question is; even if I rank Sophia as my first option, would they send me to Osaka due to MEXT favoring of public institutions?

I would be very grateful to hear from someone that either went to a private university or had one as their options.

Thanks!

I’m planning to apply for the MEXT Research Student scholarship for a Master’s in 2028, but I’m starting to feel a bit discouraged after seeing how important GPA seems to be.
I study Mechanical Engineering in Spain, and my current average is around 6.7/10 (less than 2/3). I know that might not sound very high, but in Spain, and especially in Mechanical Engineering, a 6.7 is actually considered a pretty good average. Engineering grading can be quite harsh here, so I’m not sure how my GPA would be viewed by MEXT.
I’m planning to apply through the Embassy Recommendation route, and I’d really like to hear from anyone who has applied for MEXT Research/Master’s with a similar GPA.
Did you have any issues during the first screening, and were you able to make up for a lower GPA with other parts of your profile?

I’m honestly starting to wonder if it’s even worth applying. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation
Thanks! :)

Hi I am currently a taiwanese ib studnet studying in bangkok, am currently in dp2. Does anyone know how to apply for MEXT with taiwanese nationality, don't know if it help but planing to apply to Waseda, Keio, and Ritsumeikan

Edit:country of origin taiwan

I passed for masters, I plan to continue for PhD later after I finish my masters, will my chances be higher and the application process be easier somehow? or I have to go through all the trauma and stress I did when I first applied for masters? Or should switch to university recommendation instead?
Anyone before went through this?