Chapter 2: The Monbusho Challenge—A Leap of Faith and Culture Shock

The Call to the Impossible: The Monbusho Scholarship

The journey to working abroad can often begin with a highly competitive academic path. Here, we delve into the experience of Eric Brenes, a Costa Rican professional who won the prestigious Monbusho scholarship from the Japanese government to pursue his master’s degree.

Eric’s initial motivation was clear: he wanted a postgraduate degree but specifically rejected the typical routes to the United States or a common Latin American university. The seemingly logical choice was to apply for a scholarship to England, but a chance encounter turned his world upside down.

The Decision: A Single Bus Ride

While on a bus, Eric met a friend who had just returned from Japan on a technical scholarship. This friend mentioned that the Japanese Monbusho scholarship was often under-applied for or had slots that went unfilled because not enough candidates applied or could meet all the requirements. This revelation was the spark:

“It was like lighting a bulb inside me… why not Japan?”

His pursuit began immediately. He was already juggling an intense schedule: studying Administration, strong English at the British Institute, and Classical Philology at the university. He went to the embassy and was told the application deadline was in one week and that he needed about 11 complex documents.

• Persistence vs. Competition: Eric’s prior application to the British Embassy meant he already had copies of many required documents. After scrambling for a few days, he returned to the Japanese Embassy with everything, surprising the staff. He realized then that one must exhibit pure determination (“empeño”) to achieve a difficult goal.

The Twist: No Choice in Specialization

In a surprising detail, Eric learned that if he were awarded the British scholarship, they would decide his specialization for him, and it was likely to be in privatization—a field he did not want. The Japanese scholarship, however, was about pursuing his academic passion in International Cooperation and Project Administration.

• Academic Dedication: Eric’s success was not just a one-time effort. He recounts an applicant who was presenting for the third time and whose profile was “really good,” yet still facing high competition. Conversely, there was a brilliant student who had applied but ultimately returned home because they couldn’t handle the emotional stress of living alone abroad.

---

The Reality of Arrival: A Cold Awakening

The Emotional Confrontation

Eric was initially rejected, with the Embassy advising him to take a Japanese language course and apply again the following year. He followed the advice and enrolled in a course. On the day of his very first class, he received a call: the embassy needed to speak with him.

A person ahead of him in the ranking had dropped out, and Eric had been moved up. He was told: “Mr. Eric, are you ready to leave in a month?”.

• Ignorance and Excitement: Eric admits that he didn’t really know what he was getting into, but he was excited. Traveling to Japan—a country so culturally and architecturally different—was emotionally overwhelming. He notes how the initial kindness of student association members in Tokyo was crucial for navigating the complicated transfer to a local flight, which he wouldn’t have been able to figure out alone.

The Breaking Point in Sapporo

Eric arrived in Sapporo, a city in the northern region of Hokkaido, which he describes as having snow six months a year and average summer lasting only two weeks.

The true test came when he was taken from his luxury hotel stay to his student dorm. This facility was described as “dirty, quite ugly,” a far cry from his initial accommodation. He was left there by the international center staff member who spoke very poor English and gave him a map, saying, “See you tomorrow at 8:00 AM at my office”.

“When he left the room… I lay face up on the dirty bed and cried for two hours“.

This was the moment of realization: he was not there “to play”. He called his girlfriend, saying, “Wait for me, I’m coming back tomorrow”.

The Confrontation and Growth

The breaking point was temporary. With the help of a kind Colombian friend he met in the dorm, he changed his mind. He realized that the challenges—from the demanding Japanese language course to the harsh living conditions—were necessary.

• The Power of Adversity: Eric’s experience aligns with a key principle of psychology: growth comes from confronting problems, not from avoiding them. The difficult process of the scholarship, the cold culture shock, and the personal confrontation forced him to grow: “One grows when things are not easy”.
• The Transferable Skill: The confidence gained from conquering that initial fear and the professional network he built allowed him to secure a subsequent contract in Germany after his time in Japan. He now uses this experience to not fear any professional challenge that comes his way.

Building upon the themes of strategic planning and cultural immersion, this chapter focuses on the necessary blend of preparation and mental attitude required for success abroad, drawn from Francisco Pont’s experience.

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent in doing nothing.” —George Bernard Shaw