write to us at: workandlearnabroad@gmail.com

listen at:

this chapter focuses on the academic rigor and professional opportunities afforded by a fully-funded international scholarship, drawing on Dr. Jorge Cubero’s experience with the Monbukagakusho (Monbu) scholarship.

---

Chapter 4: The Research Path—Rigor, Return, and Responsibility

The Strategic Leap: A Doctor of Materials Engineering

Dr. Jorge Cubero, currently a professor at the Technological Institute of Costa Rica (TEC), pursued his master’s and doctoral studies in Japan through the Monbukagakusho (Monbu) Scholarship. His background as a mechanical engineer who had previously worked for high-tech companies like Intel and Continental gave him a clear direction: he wanted to pursue a doctorate to conduct pure engineering and innovation.

The Application and Its Three-Pronged Responsibility

Jorge’s application process was highly structured and required a deep sense of commitment, not just to himself, but to his nation.

• The Power of Preparation: Having worked in the industry, Jorge recognized that researchers at the highest level held doctorates. He also knew he needed to go beyond a simple request for funding. He prepared a detailed curriculum, secured excellent letters of recommendation from both his academic director and his industry boss, and sat the required English exams.
• The Crucial Essay: The application included an essay where he had to detail his proposed research and explain why he chose Japan. Initially, he focused on a topic related to his work at Intel, but the theme was flexible as he evolved toward materials engineering.
• The Final Interview Flaw: The most important lesson came at the end of the embassy interview. Jorge felt confident in his technical and cultural knowledge of Japan (having visited before), but he was caught off-guard by a question that highlighted the core purpose of the scholarship:“What will you give back to your country?”Coming from the corporate world, his answer was “vague” and emphasized personal professional growth. He later realized the correct perspective: the Monbu scholarship aims to benefit three parties—the student, the university/professor, and the home country (Costa Rica). He advises future applicants to be very clear on how their studies will contribute to the development of their nation.

---

The Academic Environment: From Research Student to Doctoral Candidate

Securing the Professor

Because the scholarship selection was separate from securing a professor, Jorge advises students to contact potential supervisors before applying, but his own experience was a testament to persistence and luck.

• A Familiar Destination: He contacted Professor Horita at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, the exact city he had previously visited for work years earlier.
• The Contact Strategy: Jorge sent the professor a long, detailed, and well-written email that demonstrated he had researched the professor’s work, including his thesis topic and the pre-approval letter for the Monbu scholarship. This proactive, detailed approach secured a quick, positive response from the professor.

The Unconventional Academic Path

Jorge entered the university as a Research Student (a preparation phase) and used this time to prove himself, a period he used for deep integration into the lab.

• Overcoming Language Barriers: Although he had spent four months studying Japanese privately before leaving, the Monbu did not require advanced Japanese for the application. He quickly started speaking English and basic Japanese to survive, noting that it took him 1.5 to 2 years to feel truly fluent.
• The Role of Undergraduate Students: In a highly efficient Japanese model, undergraduate students in their final year (4th year) are incorporated into the research laboratory and assist doctoral and master’s students with experiments and data collection. Jorge’s lab, which was a “small company” focused on scientific production, was composed of:
  • Undergraduate and master’s students
  • Three doctoral students (including Jorge)
  • Two associate professors and a post-doc.
• The Thesis Requirement: To graduate, doctoral students must complete a minimum of 10 course credits (mostly advanced courses related to their research, which were often conducted in English) and publish at least three papers in conferences or journals.

---

The Return: Post-Doctoral Work and National Development

A Complete International Experience

Jorge ensured his academic journey was a complete international experience by securing a crucial outside component:

• International Internships: He secured an internship at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, where he spent two weeks a year practicing advanced electron microscopy, a trip he scheduled around his visits back to Costa Rica.
• Post-Doc & Patent: After defending his thesis, he remained for six more months to complete a short post-doctoral research position. During this time, he worked with a private company to successfully patent a process for manufacturing ultra-fine cable for use in robotics.

Impact and Legacy

Upon returning to Costa Rica, Jorge joined the faculty at TEC, bringing his expertise back to the national education system.

• Continuing Research: He has established a formal cooperation agreement between the TEC and Kyushu University, allowing for continued joint research, student exchange, and materials analysis in areas like biomedical alloys (titanium) and hydrogen storage.
• A Call to Action: Jorge urges students to view the Monbu as a chance to contribute to the nation. He encourages interested students to contact the TEC’s School of Materials Science and Engineering to discuss research projects and opportunities.

“Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be.” —John Wooden