Article courtesy of DiversityAbroad.com Study abroad in Japan can be costly, but don’t
let this hinder you from choosing Japan as your destination country!
There are a large number of resources, study abroad scholarships, and financial-aid options to support students pursuing an international education.
Check with the study abroad office at your home institution
to discuss your options. Your study abroad office may offer Japanese
exchange programs. In most cases, exchange programs through your college
or university will enable you to pay the same amount as your home
institution. This option usually allows your financial aid to be
transferred to your study abroad program if you normally receive aid.
When you do an exchange, you pay what you'd normally pay for a regular
semester so why not spend that time abroad?
Speak with a dean, director, or professor in the Asian Studies Department at your university regarding special opportunities to study abroad in Japan.
Often times, universities have scholarships or resources for students
interested in a particular line of study. These special scholarships can
be applied to your study abroad. For smaller colleges or universities
that do not have an Asian Studies Department, try connecting with a
professor of world languages and reaching out to a department at a
neighboring institution.
Independent funding, scholarships, and grants can be added
to the financial options from your campus. There are a host of
government programs that offer aid to students studying internationally.
Inquire with government entities like the Embassy of Japan in the U.S.,
or American Embassy of in Japan to see if other scholarships exist!
Many Japanese institutions also offer aid to students coming from
abroad. Be sure to ask about these options when speaking with the
international office, study abroad office, and scholarship office on
your campus. If your home institution does not offer these resources,
reach out to partnering colleges or universities to see if you can speak
with a counselor. You can also research study abroad advisors online
and send an email asking for resources, advice, and information.
Where do you start? Here are ten scholarships that can help turn your study abroad dream into a reality!
1. The Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Program
The Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Scholarship/Program
offers an award to students and recent graduates intending to study,
teach, intern abroad in the Fall and Spring semesters! Students awarded
this scholarship will have the opportunity to be a Diversity Abroad
representative during their study abroad experience. Leadership and
promoting positive change is key for this scholarship. Economically
disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, first generation
students, and students from ethnically and racially backgrounds strongly
encouraged to apply.
2. The Critical Language Scholarship
Sponsored by the U.S. State Department, The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program aims to
enhance the number of Americans studying critical languages. Japanese
is included in the languages offered through this fully funded,
intensive summer program seeking to promote mutual understanding and
friendly relations between the U.S. and other countries. Students
applying to the CLS Japan Program have a requirement of two years
previous study. CLS places value on the ability to tie increased
language proficiency to a student’s career.
3. The Harry S Truman Scholarship
The Harry S Truman Scholarship
focuses on students with an interest in government who are seeking
international education. This scholarship is intended for students
planning to attend graduate school, and continue their education past
the undergraduate level. Strong leadership and international skills are
key for this scholarship.
4. The Boren Scholarship
The Boren Scholarship
is a government funded scholarship for undergraduate students pursuing
the study of languages in regions outside of New Zealand, Australia,
western Europe, and Canada . Boren Scholars are required to work for the
U.S. government for one year after accepting the scholarship. This
scholarship funds students for a summer, semester, or full academic
year. The Boren Fellowship is offered for graduate students. Many
campuses have a Boren representative to help students with the
application process. Find the Boren representative at your institution,
or reach out to a representative at an institution near you.
5. The Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences Fellowship
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS) Fellowship
seeks to enhance cooperation in the global scientific field by funding
research and supporting researchers. Students majoring in all forms of
science, from social sciences to life sciences, are encouraged to apply.
This independent institution seeks to advance science in all fields
including humanities.
6. The Blakemore Foundation Language Grant
The Blakemore Foundation Language Grant
financially supports students pursuing advanced language study for one
academic school year. This scholarship is geared toward students who
have completed their undergraduate education, have a minimum of three
years of study in their target language, and are seeking advanced
language training in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and select Southeast
Asian languages. For those who have already started their career,
Blakemore offers summer programs through the Blakemore Refresher Grant.
7. Bridging Scholarship for Study Abroad in Japan
Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan
offers semester and year long scholarships for international education
at the undergraduate level. This scholarship supports American students
pursuing study abroad in Japan through stipends. It is funded through
donations from businesses and other organizations.
The Foundation for Asia Pacific Education
offers scholarships to students who are pursuing cultural and academic
knowledge within the Asian Pacific region. The foundation aims to
encourage global leadership and support students in their professional
and individual goals of Asia Pacific knowledge. Students from diverse
backgrounds are a focus for this non-profit organization.
9. The Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship
is offered to Pell Grant recipients for international study at the
undergraduate level. This Department of State sponsored scholarship
serves to help students with high financial need study abroad for a
semester or academic year. The program is available for American
citizens studying at two-year and four-year institutions.
10. The Freeman Asia Awards for Study Abroad in Asia
The Freeman Asia Awards
for Study Abroad in Asia offers scholarships to students studying
abroad in Southeast Asia and East Asia. Students can be pursuing
two-year and four-year degrees from accredited institutions. This
scholarship offers funds for semester and summer long programs to
American students and permanent residents with financial limitations.
*BONUS* AFS-USA
offers two scholarships to high school students to study abroad in
Japan in the Fall and Spring. Students should be looking for an
immersive cultural experience and comfortable living with a host family.
High school students applying for this scholarship should also be in
good academic standing at their current institution.
by
ISRA ELDOSOUGIIsra is a Summer Fellow at Diversity Abroad who is passionate in exploring her interests of STEM and international affairs. She studied Arabic in Jordan with the CLS Program and spent a gap year volunteering in Sudan before completing her Associates in Natural Science and Mathematics. She is completing her undergraduate degree at Columbia University.
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If you need help getting started with study abroad, take a
look at the first steps: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/getting-started/index.php
For more scholarships for study abroad, please check out http://studyabroad.uark.edu/funding.
