Applying Student Exchange Program | FAQ (#2)

Assalamualaikum, hye once again, guys!

These 3 days of orientation really burn out my energy faster...especially on the day of arrival. Never again carry TWO BAGS WEIGHTED 20+ KG EACH. Just one is enough... *cries*

Ehem...back to topic.

So, here (today) I will be posting on how the heck that I got to go Japan, even though my major is Malay Language. Lol. I feel like a sore thumb. Malay language in Japan? Well, don't blame me, 2 years with the same faces everyday can make your head 'spinning' and always, always get left behind when your not like them. So, I take a 'break' from them just so I won't go crazy. But downside, you don't get to celebrate Raya Haji (Aidiladha) with family. But...its a good thing there's Internet! Skype! Messenger! Whatsapp! Whatever it is aside from normal text messages and calls that cost money....Thank you technology!

First and foremost...

The requirements of going exchange (I just made it by myself...haha) for IIUM students; target group Kuliyyah of Languages and Management students. Note that mine is a bit different, so you need to consult your own Academic Advisor for further details.

Requirements:
1) 2nd year study (Kuliyyah level) and above.
2) CGPA is 3.0 above. Its safe to assume that 3.0 is stable enough for any exchange.
3) Prepared mentally and physically, especially when you're Muslim like me. Its hard to find foods that are permissible to eat. But, you can cook on your own. Hehehe~ Just bring those rempah packets from Malaysia (or for me, Maggi...hahahaha)
4) Ready your cash. Lots of 'em. Since Malaysian economy is worrying, so need to save money early for exchange.
5) Do research about the university that you want to go exchange. Make sure that it has partnerships with your home university as it easier to deal with them about exchange. Plus the partnerships can lessen our burden by discount the academic fees, or even just pay the fees to home university! Plus, if lucky, can transfer credits from exchange university back to home university, just like mine.

How to apply:
Just go to the exchange university's (your dream university) website and look for international exchange/exchange program. There will be a downloadable link (application form) to be printed and walla~ just fill in the necessary things they ask. Prepare also documents (that they need) before submitting.

Hahahahaha...its easy, I know...so, don't worry...

*Additional notes/tips (Preparation Stage):
1) Ready your passport before fill in the form. Renew (if already have) or apply new one because the form require your passport information. Note that the application is opened for a limited time, so be aware of the deadline.
2) Choose whether you want to go during SPRING SEMESTER or FALL SEMESTER. Please plan carefully.
3) For Malaysians, please have at least 10,000 MYR in bank before buying flight ticket. The more the better. That amount can hold for 2 to 3 months of survival. If you have a scholarship/sponsorship during your stay for exchange, then lucky you! Just make sure not to spend too much, okay?
4) Make sure your ATM card can be used overseas! Check it at your nearest bank. No money = horror...BIG horror.

So, that's all for the preparation stage. This can be use for all, just make a necessary adjustment wherever you need to. I just lay it out for you guys to know the preparation needed before you confirm your exchange. The process depends on the university's requirement, and again please refer to your Academic Advisor. I just can only give tips, tricks and preparation and help with bit of pieces here and there.

Again, if any questions, please feel free to drop yours in the comment section below. Until then, see you next time!

JASSO Scholarship | FAQ (#1)

Assalamualaikum. Once again we meet again.

For this post apparently there's question regarding how do I get myself the scholarship (in previous post)?

Well, here, I provide you the answer. :)

To be honest, its totally easy. Really. Along with applying to Kansai University (for my case), there's a downloadable link to the JASSO scholarship application.

A preview of Kansai University Application Form (Exchange)

Here's what it looks like. [JASSO]

So, you just fill in the requirements and BAM! your application is complete~

Easy as pie~! Hahahahahaaha~

Anyways, feel free to ask me regarding anything: from my university (IIUM) to exchange programme. I will answer as best and soon as I can.

Until then, bye! :D

I'm coming~! I......'m coooooomingggggggg~ | Road to Student Exchange Program to Kansai University (Part 7/Finale)

6 days left.

Until departure.

Assalamualaikum, how are you guys been doing? Sorry for the loooong absence, been busy with visa and packing my stuff (mostly)...

And as promised,

le visa~ :3   am I cute? lol...jk, jk~

The visa took 3 working days (plus the day I sent the application), but since I live far (1 hour drive along the highway + 30 mins on ferry) I sent my application on Monday, and picked up my visa on Friday. Its really easy, simple and fast. Maybe because I'm a student, that's why there weren't any inconvenienced matters. Yeay, for students!

Travelling document (passport) + flight ticket

With 9 days left, I helped myself to check-in my flight so that I won't be wasting time at the airport (more that I should)....initially I brought 1 large bag buuuuuut....there's too damn much food that I had bought another bag (not small, not medium...BUT ALSO LARGE) *sweatdrop* luckily its Merdeka sale so, the bag didn't cost much..hahahahaha~

Plus, I wave good news!
I was short-listed to get the JASSO scholarship upon studying there~~~~ yeaaaaaaaaa~~~~
its all thanks to your continuous prayers that I got this...a BIG THANK YOU to all.
p/s: I don't know when I got, but I don't mind as long as I am eligible to receive that... a huge amount of burden has been lifted
#criesofjoy~

So now I just waiting for the d-day...
while surfing internet...
playing games...
'tidying' up my phone and camera (for pictures....muahahahaa)...
watching anime...

BUT WAIT.








This isn't the end~






For as I will be posting more, starting the departure until the end of orientation week....in the new part of my blog, so stay tuned in the future, okay~
#don'tleaveme...

Talk to you guys later!!!

OH MY GAWD, WHAT THE HELL...!!!! | Road to Exchange Programme to Kansai University

Assalamualaikum and hey guys! Sorry for a short hiatus on my side... *mumbles* been doing checklists for what to bring

Aaaaanyway, sorry for the sudden title that I put. I just can't..I can't...I need to let it out...

The package from Kansai Uni have arrived at my doorstep, firstly it's like - YAAAAAAAY, niiiiice~ to WHAAAAAAAT?! NANI DESUKA?! in a matter of seconds. Literally. I feel like crying now....

Some might say: Dude, chill......

How can I chill when the amount of money you have just barely enough for you to survive...?

*sigh* Alright fine...fine...I chill....and maybe watch Dragon Ball to chill myself while watching Bardock beat up Chilled.... *silence* .........okay I stop.

Inside the package there's a bunch of papers and after 3 to 4 times rereading the whole package, I now understands the whole message.

The contents inside:
1) The lovely Certificate of Eligibility for applying visa
2) Offer letter from Kansai Uni
3) Acceptance letter of Kansai Uni International Dormitory
4) Kansai Uni Int Dorm Fee Regulations [which involve a stunning 75,000 yen upon checking in - deposit + Sept. fee + entrance fee] --> THIS is what I'm rambling about...
5) Instructions upon arriving at Kansai Int Airport
6) Orientation Schedule + list of students participating in exchange program
7) Map of campus
8) Application letter for Outside Activities (something like that...)
and lastly
9) A simple checklist for Int Students

So, when I noticed the amount of money needed for me to have, I rewrite all of my monthly budgets upon arriving up until I left Japan...which takes some time to arrange accordingly. *cough* No need for me to tell how much will I bring and the budgets, it's secret *cough*

So...yeah....I might have to do part-time job there, cuz you know....I'm not that rich. So, this is the way for me to have at least a bit of pocket money for myself, without relying too much on my dad. *Please let me work part-time...I need it.....

The next entry will be my visa-applying story plus some pics for you to see~~ (yeah, I noticed that I supposedly put pics in this entry, but I want my visa along with the CoE, so next time folks...sorry...)

See, you next time!

It's Not Easy to Enter Japan, You Need a VISA! | Road to Exchange Programme to Kansai University (Part 5)

Assalamualaikum and hey everyone! It's me again, your (somewhat) cute and lovable author! Ahahaha....ok, I think that's enough... *sweatdrops*

Wow, it's already fifth part of my 'Road to Exchange Programme to Kansai University' post. It's been a long journey....and tiring one at that.

The funds are steadily increased thanks to your prayers! I reaaaaallly grateful of your generous prayers. I promise I won't let you guys down! You know what? I will make the sequel version of this journey; the sequel starting off with my arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). What do you guys say? If agree, say "Aye!" Haha...joking...but seriously, this blog is dedicated on my school life, and this rare chance is definitely be shared to all. I will put also pictures in the upcoming sequel, so you guys better not miss it! Share with your friends and if you have questions, feel free to drop your question in the comment section below, OR you can message me in my Facebook. But please bear with me as your messages might get into my FB's filtered messages okay....?
[My Facebook name is Najatul Najwa Shafiqah Tajudin (my full name), you won't miss it as I am the only one with the name provided, trust me... the link: https://www.facebook.com/najatul.najwa.tajudin]

Enough promoting, let's get to the point, shall we?

So, basically, when going overseas, you need a visa. Yeah, I just know, okay, don't blame me! This is my first time going oversea! (Not including the Trang, Thailand trip last year) So, I looked up and read it many times to finally digest the requirements needed for applying visa for Japan. (Shout out thanks to my partner whom will be joining with me, Atiqah)

The requirements are as follows:
1) Passport
2) Visa Application Form (downloaded from Ministry of Affairs Japan website)
3) One photograph
4) Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) - original and copy

*Note that I already filled the Certificate of Eligibility form before my semester break

As the requirement stated, I haven't yet filled out the visa application form and I also haven't got the CoE - which will be sent to me in the early August. I repeat EARLY AUGUST. Ooookay, so apply for visa need to be KIV for a while until I got CoE.....gotcha. I had mistaken the certificate that I got before with CoE. How....silly I am....

Next one, the Visa Application Form. Just now I finished filling the form, it took me a while to (again) fully understands them (damn, why I'm like this? Snap out of it, girl!). Thanks to technology and Internet nowadays, I managed to fill out based on the example given by the U.S Embassy (Thank you! You're a lifesaver!) and wolla! It's finished! Just print 'em, paste my picture and ready to be taken to the Japanese Embassy.

That brings me to the third realization; I AM SUPPOSED TO APPLY AT THE JAPAN EMBASSY IN PENANG! *cries* Since I was born in Kedah (Northern part of Peninsular Malaysia), so my application need to be made there. Silently, I am glad I haven't go to KL's Japan Embassy, it would be embarrassing....and tired since I would drive there from Kajang. But nonetheless, I will be going to KL for other reasons - something to do with my university, IIUM, by the end of this month. Again, shout out to my partner for telling me this, or I will be constantly 'flapping' myself. Haha....

For the flight ticket, I will be buying it this Monday. Yes, I know....its expensive! But not too expensive tho, thank you, Air Asia! About RM 700+, that includes 40kg luggage. So, I round up to RM 1000 for the ticket itself. Welp, I can't dwell on it cuz, I'm going! Really going, confidently. No back-outs. Before its 50-50, now it's 100% going and I will buy the ticket.

*whispers* Pssst....You forget the exam!

Oh yeah. I haven't forgotten about it. My mom and dad constantly remind me. I need to study (catch up) for a bit since before and after Raya I was quite busy going around and around, so this weekend I will be studying and take the exam. I will post my score to you guys in the next entry.

It's 11.41 PM here in Malaysia and I need my beauty sleep. If you guys don't mind, I end my entry for today here. I will 'see' you guys in the next one, so, you better check it out, okay? See ya later!

Almost there...I can make it!!! | Road to Exchange Programme to Kansai University (Part 4)

Assalamualaikum and good evening, fellow readers~

Welcome yet again to my humble blog...

It been a week since my last post, and today, is another update for my upgoing (?) programme.

Alhamdulillah....the total of collecting funds now reached a bit over 5k! A big success in just a week....even though I had to sacrifice my most emergency money that I wished that I won't use it no matter what because its....for my hajj in the future. But, since this is for my own benefits, aka studies.... *inhales deeply* I HAVE TO.... *weeping silently* Huhuhuhu~

Another percentage from it came from my scholarship. Yeeeeeessss! They give me earlier than last year. Thank you, Lembaga Biasiswa Kedah!!! Definitely gonna work in Kedah (if you know what I mean~ *wiggle eyebrows*).

Also a BIG...BIIIIIG BIG BIG BIG thank you to my dad, sacrificing his time (and money; for fuel) for me, searching back his old friends to collect funds just so I can go there. "Memeng terharu (Feeling touched)..." I LITERALLY CRIED, OKAY!

Another BIG thank you and grateful to my dad's friends for giving funds.....and I also didn't forget my family, my lovely friends; the IIUM Arts Club members, kouhais, senpais, schoolmates, teachers and lecturers and also whoever prayed for me. Thank you guys....I really appreciated it....

When the fund reached 10k (at least), then I go buy flight ticket, eventho its costly...who cares, I don't...hahahahaha....and then proceed to do visa at japan Embassy, then afterwards, change my bank card into an international one. Finally, change the MYR into JPY.... (wow, kinda nice planning..ahaha...I think?)

Well, that's all for today! Stay tuned for another content of 'Road to Exchange Programme to Kansai University' in the near future...later!

We Go Round and Round and Round and Round... | Road to Exchange Programme to Kansai University (Part 3)

Assalamualaikum.

Heya, peeps! The part three is up!

And we go round and round in the city!!!!....which is kinda tiring to be honest...*whispers* even though I'm not the one who is driving....

Anyway, two days of going back and forth in this not-so-big city, my funds now almost reaching 2,000!!! yaaaay~ *dance a little* At least I'm working on it....

The funds mostly from my dad's group of friends...in which some I know, and some I don't...however, the most memorable one is meeting with the EXCO Kedah's Dato' Badrol Hisham. Seriously, that's the first time I'm meeting someone with the title YB in person! (not counting Siti Nurhaliza that I look from afar....)

Meeting him in his office really makes my hands shivers and I'm nervous, unable to sit well. Not to be exaggerating, but its the truth...well, you know what I mean....At first, I imagine him being a somewhat strict personality...buuuuuuut, that shatters quickly. I found out that him and my dad went waaay back before he got his YB title. Talk about everlasting friendship. Hell, even I didn't know that! He's generous enough to give (I will not mention how much, sorry...) straight off signing his cheque.... I was like "WOOOOOOOOOOOOW. Now I know what I wan't to be..... *grins~*

Somehow, I feel lazy to type all the adventures this two days....ahahaha....appologies---

So, today, I'm stopping short here....got my hands full of replying whatsapp messages and reading manga...so, ciao! See you next time!

Keep Calm...AND JUST SILENTLY CRY | Road to Exchange Programme to Kansai University (Part 2)

Assalamualaikum and good...evening? Well, here it is evening tho...

Welcome to the second part of 'Road to Exchange Programme to Kansai University'!

*sigh* maaan...its long to write the title...just copy paste it...

First of all, to all Muslims:

Happy Eidul Fitr or Malaysians call Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!!! (the 5th day...to be exact...lol) well, its never to late to say. Unfortunately, your admin here....didn't get "duit Raya" anymore...unlike last year.... *silently weeping*

Enough of the raya thingies....this post isn't about Hari Raya, its about my progress in exchange program so far.As I said in the previous part, I would be searching for sponsors....

and guess what? I did!








...buuuuuut get turned down, sadly. Huhuhu.....well, I can't get mad to them...they're just doing their jobs...can't blame them....For now (and again), just forget those turned down applications, and just focused on the newer ones. Many of my friends prayed that I would eventually got my sponsorship to go...hopefully, I got them before the 29th this month (its due date)....or worst case scenario: I need to drop my exchange program, sadly.

I know....I know...first, I got reaaaaally excited! Now, I would drop? Why, you might ask??? I'm not rich tho....I got scholarship (which was lucky), but even with my scholarship, it isn't enough for me to survive there. The living cost between Malaysia and Japan is huuuge I tell you. It's not easy. Well, on top of that, there's hostel fees need to cover, commuting between hostel area and campus, health insurance, textbooks, so on and so forth...It's not easy to become a student, let alone a student studying overseas. I respect few of my friends that can study overseas, I really am.

Friends in one of my Whatsapp group recommended that I try the Skolafund program; a program that provides scholarship to the needy (correct me if I'm wrong...) by promoting/start campaign to raise funds. So, I took that recommendation, and currently in progress of editing my campaign before approval. This is my last resort at collecting funds.

About the Japanese test.....eeeeeeeeh, I will do it sometime before the due date. I'm stressing myself out that I can't concentrate on studying Japanese once more. Need a breather for while. My breather? *chuckling evilly* well, its anime of course....its one of the things that kept me sane and still be myself. Laughing out loud and crying my eyes out. Speaking of which, my laptop now is FULL OF GOKU BLACK WALLPAPERS!!! From the lock screen, to the profile pic account and background screen! Even the colors matched! Oh Black....now you become one of the most badass anime characters in my list...if there's Black figura, I definitely search it and buy one....just one...probably....

Ok, enough of sidelines and whatnot....that's all for me! and if you happen to ask me, feel free to ask! Don't worry, I won't bite....Until then, sayonara~!

Before Going to Japan...I HAVE A TEST??? | Road to Exchange Programme to Kansai University

Assalamualaikum.

Heya! ...er...patut kah? Bulan puasa ni...

Title sikit punya English...tapi taip dalam bahasa Melayu...apakah?

....Sekiranya pembaca saya ingin saya taip dalam bahasa Inggeris atau bahasa Melayu, sila komen di bawah. Terima kasih.

....If my readers want me to post in English, please comment below. Thank you.

....or....type in Malay then type them in English for my post? Do comment below as well. Thank you.

But for now, let me post this in Malay language.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alhamdulillah, minggu lepas ada dapat sijil untuk pergi buat visa ke Jepun dari Universiti Kansai. Pagi tadi pun selesai jumpa tokwan, syukur tokwan dapat tolong jugak dalam persiapan kewangan nak pegi sana. #rayanikenapegiawal...

Esoknya pula cadang nak pegi Perbadanan Biasiswa Kedah utk bagitau pasal ni, kemudian ke Yayasan Kedah dan Zakat Kedah utk minta dana tambahan. Setakat ni, Alhamdulillah persiapan ke Jepun berjalan lancar.

Usai sudah berbuka puasa hari ni, terdetik nak buka emel. Alangkah terkejutnya kudapat emel dari Kansai dan lagi terkejut bila tengok kena buat peperiksaan penilaian bahasa Jepun. Sudah! Dahla bahasa Jepun tu baru lepas tahap tadika, tetiba ada peperiksaan pulak. Huhu....hati dah jadi gundah gulana.

Dalam laman web peperiksaan tu, ada mereka letak contoh soalan. Dengan keadaan tidak bersedia, ku menjawab contoh soalan tu. Sekali nah, ambik kau! Tak faham langsung kanji yang ditulis. Dalam hati, menangis sudah macam mana nak jawab. Tapi nasib baiklah ada sebulan untuk belajar kembali dan menjawab peperiksaan tu melalui online. Diharapnya boleh la menjawab soalan yang diberi...huhu

p/s: nasib baik tak meroyan....alahai....

Baiklah, setakat sini dulu coretan hari ni. Selepas ini akan ada sambungan coretanku dalam penyediaan untuk ke Jepun. Sekiranya berminat atau ada pertanyaan, jangan malu jangan segan, silalah ikuti dan komen di bawah ye~

Sekian. Sehingga berjumpa lagi.

Saya masih di sini (dan berita gembira!)

Assalamualaikum pembuka bicara.

Sudah lama tidakku menyinggah ke blog diri sendiri. Alahai, minta maaf blogku dan semua yang membaca blogku sebelum ini. Bila dilihat, wow! Sudah 2 tahun rupanya tak menyinggah... *crocodile tears*

Selama 'gap' dua tahun, banyak yg saya pelajari, fahami dan rasai. Kepada yg masih tak tahu dimanakah saya, saya sekarang pelajar Jurusan Bahasa Melayu untuk Komunikasi Antarabangsa, sebuah jurusan yg baru terbentuk 2 tahun lepas di Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia. Walaupun belajar di universiti Islam, saya mohon agar tak ada yg berpendapat negatif terhadap saya. Tak bermakna saya belajar di situ, saya menjadi "ustazah" seperti yg sering diperkatakan oleh mak-mak saudara saya... *sweatdrop* Saya hanyalah insan biasa, tidak lebih, tidak kurang.

Sebagai salah seorang pelajar jurusan yg baharu ini, banyak cabaran yg perlu ditempuhi. Memang saya banyak bersabar dalam jurusan ini. Pada mulanya, ramai yg tak tahu tentang kewujudan jurusan ni, sebagai contoh:

Rakan A: "Najwa, ambik course apa?"
Saya: "Ambik course Bahasa Melayu..."
Rakan A: "Eh, UIA ada ke course ni?"

Pada mulanya memang nak menangis...tapi lama-lama, dah menjadi kebiasaan. Banyak usaha dibuat bagi pelajar-pelajar UIAM kenal dengan jurusan ni dan Alhamdulillah, sekarang majoriti dah tahu apa jurusan ni, tapi....masalahnya, apabila ditanya, "Grad nanti, jadi apa? Cikgu ke?". Hmm, agar sukar menjawab bila ditanya pertama kali, tapi sekarang lebih banyak jawapan yg saya dapat berikan. Antaranya, dalam jurusan ni, bukan saja boleh jadi cikgu atau pensyarah, malah boleh juga jadi Menteri@Pegawai di Kedutaan, editor, penulis, pembaca berita, pengacara dan sebagainya. Jurusan ni lebih kepada aspek komunikasi, selain belajar Bahasa Melayu yg tahapnya lebih tinggi daripada apa yg diajar di sekolah. Jadi, skop pekerjaan untuk jurusan ni lebih luas.

Dari segi pembelajaran, kelebihannya jadual setiap semester boleh dikatakan tidaklah 'pack' (betul ke?), tapi, lebih kepada pembentangan individu dan berkumpulan serta penulisan kertas kerja ('assignment' bagi yg tak pasti...) sama ada secara individu atau berkumpulan, bergantung kepada pensyarah yg mengajar. Saya ulangi, SETIAP SEMESTER. Bunyi macam menggerunkan, tapi kalau pandai membahagikan masa, memang tak menjadi masalah. (P/S: tapi agak bermasalah bila perlu bekerja secara berkumpulan, agak 'tension' jugakla bila ahli kumpulan tak sama jadual dengan kita dan tinggal jauh dari asrama kita, tambah bila diorang selalu aktif dlm aktiviti. Aduhai...)

Selama 2 tahun 2 semester ni, Alhamdulillah tak berlaku insiden yg besar, termasuklah kerja-kerja berkumpulan (walaupun agak menyampah kekadang tu...) dan pointer...ehem, *coughtigapointlebihcough*, berkat usaha sendiri, rakan kumpulan, dan doa dari ibu bapa.

Oh, ya, sebelum lupa...*tengok tajuk* Berita gembira...Nyuruhuhuhuhu~

Alhamdulillah, saya dapat ditawarkan untuk belajar di negara matahari terbit, iaitu Jepun (lebih spesifik, Kansai)!!!! Yaaaaaay...tepuk tanganla sikit....walaupun sebenarnya saya sendiri yg pilih...hehehehe....

Saya ditawarkan di bawah Program Pertukaran Pelajar (Student Exchange Program) selama 5 bulan (satu semester) di Universiti Kansai, Jepun. Sekarang saya dalam proses untuk pengisian borang-borang yg mereka emelkan kepada saya, dan juga dalam proses usaha untuk mencari 'sponsorship' untuk ke sana dan hidup di sana. Walaupun mereka ada menawarkan bantuan pengajian, tapi saya rasa, lebih baik saya mencari dan memohon 'sponsor'. Mana tahu, bila tertunggu-tunggu bantuan dari mereka, silap-silap tak dapat....kang meraung nanti...

Insya Allah, saya akan ke Jepun pada awal September tahun ini (sesi musim luruh/sejuk 2016). Saya tulis ni, bukan nak minta sedekah dari pembaca blog saya ni (kalau ada yg sudi membantu, saya terima dengan tangan yg terbuka...hehe...), tapi sekurang-kurangnya doakanlah untuk saya berjaya memperolehi 'sponsor' yg boleh menolong saya selama saya belajar di sana. Saya ucapkan terima kasih terlebih dahulu kepada yg sudi mendoakan dan (mungkin) membantu saya.

Apa-apa khabar berita, saya akan kongsikan dalam blog ini.

Sekian, sehingga kita berjumpa lagi!

さようなら！またね。。。