Asian Youth Fellowship applications open

Thanks Adriene, who's currently studying in Japan, for the heads up on the Asian Youth Fellowship, which is a scholarship that sends you to Japan for a 7 month intensive language course (in Japanese, of course) before you enter a Japanese university as a graduate student.

You can find the full details here. The closing date for applying for this scholarship is between Sept and Nov (varies by country). Check on the above website for the closing date for applications for Malaysians.

I highly recommend this scholarship to young (below 30), single people (scholarship doesn't cover spouses and / or children) who have not studied overseas before and is interested in immersing himself or herself in Japanese culture. My impression of this program is that it is very well organized and well structured and the bonding experience with your fellow grantees from all over Asia is pretty special. One might find the initial experience of being a 'gaijin' tough and lonely at first, but I'm sure the rewards are well worth the initial adjustment blues.

Good luck!