how i got to go to japan for free 🇯🇵 ✈️

Japan Airlines Scholarship (Batch 2023)

IF YOU’RE

✅ 20-25 YEARS OLD

✅ JLPT N2 and above

READ THIS!

it’s been a year since the program and i finally got myself to do up this long overdue reflection 😂 i still can’t believe i had the opportunity to spend two whole weeks in #Japan without spending a cent, thanks to Japan Airlines (JAL) 😩

i got so much more out of it than just a free tripーmaking friends from 13 different countries, improving on my Japanese language skills, learning about sustainable practices that different companies employ, cultural field trips and so much more 🥹

tbh i applied quite last minuteーlike literally one week before the deadlines because that’s when i found out about JAL #scholarships 😅 i didn’t expect much since only one student per city can get through, but hey, you really never know unless you try and i’m so glad i did

we got to explore Fukuoka, Kyushu, and Tokyo, and it wasn’t just all about attending lectures. what i enjoyed the most were the cultural activities. we visited munakata taisha (a shrine) and learned about the three sisters that are enshrined there, which was super interesting. we also got to interact with students from the Fukuoka University of Education!

we did some unique hands-on activities too like beach cleaning, cutting off weeds, and even cutting down trees! we also got special access to places most people don’t get to visit like the TESSEI Railway Facilities under Tokyo Station and a tour of JAL’s office.

one of the biggest highlights was visiting the Ghibli Museum! i was so surprised to see it as part of itinerary because i always see online that you have to book months in advance for it. another good thing about this program is that you get some free time at night if you want to head out and chill or meet with friends in Japan!

but ngl, it wasn’t all fun and games :”) since the program was entirely in Japanese (with quite a bit of environmental/sustainability jargon), i struggled quite a bit. plus, i’ve mostly been self-taught in learning Japanese, so it definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. but honestly, that’s how you grow!! and don’t worry, most of the other international students can speak English too, so everyone just helped each other out :))

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for those interested, below i’ve noted down more concrete details about the program & application information!

p.s. check out my batchmates’ initiative here: https://www.instagram.com/ja.lscholars

/ program information

[url] https://www.jal-foundation.or.jp/en/scholarship/

[period] end June - start July

[theme] sustainability (the specifics change every year!)

[brief event outline] online learning, group discussions, field trips, action plan (group presentation)

[expenses covered] flights, all accommodation & meals

/ application information

[application period] Jan-Feb-March

[submission] application form, essay

/ criteria

[qualification] N2 Japanese Certification

[age] 20-25 years old

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if you’ve read this far, thank you for sticking around! feel free to ask me any questions about the program, i might do up tips for the interview if anyone’s interested! or about my language learning journey mayhaps??

also, if you missed out on this, you can always get another chance to visit japan like going for a semester exchange instead

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#travel