Next, I will introduce the third item of the following major liaison organizations:
- Current School (Central University)
- Selected Japanese Schools (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
- Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (JTEA)
3. Scholarship Application
Obtaining a scholarship is a very important step when applying for an exchange program. In addition to the Japan Exchange Society (JETRO), there are other organizations that offer various types of scholarships. In this article, I would like to introduce the short-term scholarship that I have applied for and share the application details and tips, as well as provide some additional information about other scholarships.
Japan Exchange Society Short-term Scholarship
Many people are under the mistaken impression that PTI only offers scholarships to master's or doctoral students, but in fact, PTI also offers scholarships to exchange students. This type of scholarship does not require an interview, only a written review, and the application process is relatively easy. Below is my experience and the documents required to apply for a PTI scholarship.
Documents Required for PTI Short Term Scholarship Application
To apply for a PTI Short Term Scholarship, the following documents are required:
- Application Form
- Contains personal information
- Motivation-related issues, for example:
- Why are you interested in Japan?
- What do you want to do in Japan?
- Plans after returning to Taiwan
- Whether you want to study again
- Reasons for Scholarship Application
- Experience in Japan
- Japanese Learning Experience
- School transcripts
- Academic transcripts from the school for the entire school year
- The score must be above 2.3 after conversion using the PTI's grading scale.
- Calculation method: If you are a current university student, it is recommended that you achieve at least 80 points in each subject to ensure that you get a solid full grade.
- Letter of Recommendation
- At least two letters of recommendation from authoritative professors such as department chairs and presidents.
The Competition Process: In and Out of School
There are two rounds of competition for the PTI Short Term Scholarship: on-campus competition and off-campus competition.
- Intramural Competition: In the intramural competition stage, the focus is on the academic performance of the year and the recommendation letters from professors. The better the grades, the more authoritative the letter of recommendation, and the greater the chance of success. I was very fortunate to be able to secure a place to represent my school at this stage.
- Off-campus competition: When entering an off-campus competition, the content of the application form is the key to success as academic performance is generally excellent. If the application form is not well-written, you may not be selected at this stage, even if your grades are excellent. So, here are a few key points to remember:
- Choose your preferred language: PTI's short-term scholarship application form can be written in English and is suitable for students who are not fluent in Japanese but have a good command of English.
- Distinguish yourself: Clearly express your personal motivation and future plans, and demonstrate your genuine interest in Japan and your specific goals.
Application Form Writing Tips
There are a few important points to note when writing your application form:
- Fill in the blanks on the form: Ensure that every blank space is filled in to avoid leaving gaps, which may give the reviewer the impression that the content is not sufficiently substantial.
- Clarity of future planning: Emphasize your future path, such as expressing your desire to return to Taiwan for further study or to pursue a master's degree/doctorate in Japan, so that the judges will think that you are an excellent talent worth investing in.
- Highlighting the unique motivation for the futureFor example, you may mention that you have represented your department in Japanese competitions abroad, or that you have developed a deep interest in Japanese civil engineering after being introduced to a variety of engineering techniques by your professors. These experiences will give the judges an impression that you have a unique and deep understanding of Japan.
- Avoiding misspellings: Demonstrate professionalism by using software to check for grammatical errors and ensure that the application form is correct.
My Application Experience
In the process of preparing the application form, I pay special attention to the following points:
- Full Preparation of Information: In addition to transcripts and letters of recommendation, I spent a great deal of time writing motivation letters, making sure that every question was answered in a detailed and persuasive manner.
- Work closely with recommended professors: Communicate with my professors in advance to ensure that the recommendation letter truly reflects my academic abilities and personal attributes.
- Multiple inspections and revisions: Double-check the application form to ensure that it is accurate and logical.
In the end, I successfully passed both internal and external competitions and was awarded a short-term scholarship by PTI. This not only relieved my financial burden, but also provided me with a good opportunity for my exchange trip to Japan.
Scholarship Application Advice
Although this scholarship provides NT$80,000 per month and supports a maximum of six months, the following suggestions are made according to different communication goals:
- Academic Research and Language Learning: If the purpose of the program is to further your studies, conduct research and improve your Japanese language skills, we recommend choosing the one-year program. This will allow you to complete your thesis in one year and create more memories with your labmates.
- Purely experience Japanese life: If the purpose of the program is to experience life in Japan, a six-month program is sufficient to fully experience the culture and daily life of Japan.
Trivia
Applying for a PTI Short-Term Scholarship is a process that requires careful preparation, but as long as you fill out the application form with care, prepare adequate letters of recommendation and transcripts, and clearly express your motivation for coming to Japan and your plans for the future, your chances of success will be greatly improved. This experience not only provided me with financial support for my exchange trip to Japan, but also taught me how to effectively present my strengths and goals in the process.
Other short-term scholarships
In addition to the Japan Exchange Society (JETRO) Short-Term Scholarship, there are other scholarship options that are worth considering, including the Japan JASSO Scholarship and the Taiwan Ministry of Education's Sea of Learning Scholarship. Below is a brief description of how to apply and the criteria for these two types of scholarships.
Japan JASSO Short-term Scholarship (Overseas Study Support System｜Acceptance by Agreement)
JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization)The Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) is a non-profit organization under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, dedicated to supporting students and promoting international exchange. For exchange students, JASSO's "Support System for Overseas Study (Agreed Entry)" scholarship is a good choice. Below are some points to consider when applying for this scholarship:
- Application Requirements
- Organizational Background: JASSO is the official organization for student support, offering a wide range of scholarships, residency assistance and life support.
- Applicable toThe program is designed to provide short-term financial support to exchange students.
- Application Process
- Contact International Office: Each Taiwan school may have a different approach to the application process. In the case of National Central University (NCU), for example, a letter was received from the Office of Study Abroad at Eastern Polytechnic University (EPGU) inquiring about the need for assistance in applying for the JASSO Scholarships.
- Submission of Application Materials: Follow the school's instructions and complete the relevant application procedures (for details, please refer to)JASSO Website).
- Audit process: A written review is conducted by the school and JASSO to evaluate the applicant's academic performance and motivation.
- Scholarship Details
- Monthly Supplement: 80,000 yen
- Maximum grant period: 11 months
- Application AdvantagesIf you are sure you want to stay for a year, a JASSO short-term scholarship is also an option to consider.
Although I ultimately chose the PTI short-term scholarship, the JASSO scholarship is another option worth considering, especially for exchange students who need longer-term support.
Taiwan Ministry of Education Scholarships
Scholarships for students who want to learn to flyThis is a subsidy provided by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan to support students to go overseas for training or internship. In the case of National Central University (NCU), you can apply for this scholarship at the same time as you apply for the exchange program.
- Application Requirements
- Good grades: The better your grades, the more aid you will receive.
- Must participate in a school-approved exchange program.
- Application Process
- Synchronized Application: When applying for the exchange program at your school, you will also apply for the Scholastic Scholarship.
- Submission of Information: Submit the relevant application documents according to the requirements of the International Office of the school (please refer to the details).Ministry of Education Overseas Training/Internship Website).
- Scholarship Details
- Contents of the subsidy
- Semi-Academic Life Supplement: 22,000 Taiwan dollars.
- Insurance Premiums: 10,000 Taiwan Dollars
- Application Advantages: For students who are in good academic standing and need additional financial support.
- Contents of the subsidy
Since I have already received a scholarship from the PTI, I am not eligible to receive the Scholarship at the same time. However, these scholarships are very valuable resources, and it is worthwhile for students to consider applying for them according to their own circumstances.
Why choose PTI Scholarship instead of JASSO?
Part of the reason for choosing the PTI short-term scholarship is that I would like to continue my study in Japan and apply for the PTI long-term scholarship in the future. The short-term scholarship will give PTI a better impression of me and increase my chances of getting a long-term scholarship in the future. This strategy is a worthwhile option for students who have a long-term plan to study in Japan.
Trivia
In addition to the short-term scholarships offered by PTI, the JASSO and Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE) scholarships are also important resources for exchange students to consider. Each type of scholarship has its own characteristics and application requirements. Choosing the scholarship that best suits your needs based on your academic performance, financial needs and future plans will help you complete your exchange trip smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Applying for a scholarship can take a lot of time and effort, but these grants not only ease the financial burden, but also add more value to your international learning experience.
Related Resources
- Short-term Scholarships
- JASSO Scholarship
- Ministry of Education Overseas Training/Internship Website
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