Japanese Government (MEXT) Postgraduate Scholarships

MEXT Alumni Personal Experiences

Tom Bouquet - Kagoshima University from April 2007 - March 2009

A few years ago on a rainy day in Bristol I was flicking through my emails whilst taking a break from my Masters research at the University of Bristol. A cup of tea in hand, I casually scrolled through a departmental update on postgraduate funding to find a link to the MEXT scholarship at the bottom. I had never really considered Japan before, but with my interest and background in volcanology a life-changing opportunity immediately presented itself. I enquired further and through some help and a successful application I was soon to be travelling east with the intention of studying the incredible volcanoes of Japan!

I began life as a ‘kenkyusei’ at Kagoshima University in April 2007. It is a very small university - certainly I had never heard of it before! - but located on the very southern tip of Kyushu and in the shadow of the great Sakurajima, it was the perfect setting for any budding volcanologist.

I studied under Professor Tetsuo Kobayashi and Professor Kisei Kinoshita, who despite my unfamiliarity of Japanese culture, soon made me feel at home and proved to be wonderful mentors throughout my stay. Thanks to their guidance, not only was I able to collaborate with scientists from other universities and local authorities, but also visit places that even most Japanese people have never been. Perhaps Mt. Fuji is the first thing people think of with regards to Japanese mountains, but my fieldwork took me to remote volcanoes as far away as Miyakejima (an island south of Tokyo) and Io-Torishima (northern Okinawa). Indeed, it has been a privilege to learn so much about Sakurajima (a volcano I could observe from my own apartment) and the other volcanoes of Kagoshima.

However, my experience was not confined to my research activities. The opportunity to learn Japanese is probably one of the big selling points of the scholarship.

Following the intensive course at the start, my passion for the language continued and it has become a big part of my life. Not only did it improve my life in Japan, but it was also a fantastic way to make new friends - not only Japanese, but from around the world! One thing I think every MEXT scholar will appreciate is the chance to meet and study with people from a variety of different countries. On more than one social occasion, I have been able to say “kanpai” (cheers) in 10 different languages! This will stay with me my whole life.

I have now returned to the UK and am training to become a Geography teacher. Fittingly, it was the opportunity to give talks to Japanese schoolchildren about the ‘volcanoes of the world’ that has inspired me to pursue a career in teaching. I hope to return one day, but the memories of beautiful Kagoshima are still very much alive inside me - I have certainly missed the onsen (hot springs) this winter!

I am very grateful for the chance to delve deep into my passion for volcanoes and to do so in the challenge of a different culture. I have come out a stronger person and would absolutely recommend anyone to go for it as well.