The dream came true in 2000, when I was honored with the MEXT scholarship to study for an MSc in Economics at the National University of Yokohama. My total stay at the university lasted for 3 years, spending the first year getting hands-on practice with the language and customs and studying for the Master's entrance exams, and another two years at the Master's program proper.

My level of Japanese before actually going to Japan was next to abysmal. Learning the language in a classroom is vastly different to actually having to use it in everyday life situations and during your interactions with the university (English is NOT a language widely spoken in Japan , even between academic staff). Still, I vigorously attended Japanese language classes with great interest all throughout my 3 years as a student and I tried practicing Japanese on a daily basis, having taken to heart a proverb the Japanese are very fond of; “go ni ireba go ni shitagae” (when in Rome you do as the Romans do). Thanks to that, I received the 1 st level Japanese Language Proficiency diploma after 2 years in the country.

When looking back I see the years I spent as a MEXT student and I view them as probably the best and most constructive in my life. I received an insider's view of the Japanese society and the way they do business, something which helped me immensely later on in my life, when I was working for a Japanese corporation in Tokyo and even presently, as one of the managers for the Greek affiliate of one of the largest Japanese multinationals in the field of pharmaceuticals. My love and admiration for Japanese culture and people has only increased throughout these years.

All in all, my advice towards those who consider applying for the MEXT scholarship is DO IT. Your Japanese experience will be unique and it will define you as personalities. But also, persevere. Understanding a new culture and mode of thinking may look like a mountain at first, but with time and effort success is definitely achievable.