I applied for a scholarship to further my studies in Japan earlier this year. Called for a written exam early last month. Sat for the exam with about 400 other hopefuls a week later. And about two weeks ago, received a notification informing me that I had been shortlisted to attend an interview which will be held next week.
Among other things, I am required to submit numerous forms and copies of relevant documents during the registration on the day of interview. These include two recommendation forms - one from the present employer, and another from an academic advisor. I seeked my ministry's KSU (basically the "CEO" of my office) help and he agreed to be my recommender upon learning that, if I get to make it, I would only be going to Japan after April next year. (Since he will be retiring in March next year - my guess is that he takes comfort in knowing that it will no longer be a 'problem' to him should any post in the office be vacant from March 2005 onwards...)
The form was returned to me two days after I submitted it to the KSU's office. I was pleased - until I noticed that he did not answer any of the questions asked. All the main details - his name, position, address, contact numbers - were neatly typed - but none of the main questions were answered.
Before I re-sent the form back to the KSU's office, my friend Daeng took a quick glance at the form and offered some alternative answers as below:
1. What was the nature of your relationship?
Master and slave
2. In what areas does the applicant need improvement or growth?
Ice skating
3. Please comment on the applicant's interpersonal skills. How well does she work within a team?
What interpersonal skills?
4. How would you describe the applicant's leadership skills.
Nil - Nada - Nope
5. Please comment on the applicant's degree of self-confidence.
Too confident for my liking.
6. Please comment on the applicant's personal character?
Again, why all these inane questions?
Sheeshhh...
Am I glad that Daeng still has a loooooong way to go before becoming a KSU...
Among other things, I am required to submit numerous forms and copies of relevant documents during the registration on the day of interview. These include two recommendation forms - one from the present employer, and another from an academic advisor. I seeked my ministry's KSU (basically the "CEO" of my office) help and he agreed to be my recommender upon learning that, if I get to make it, I would only be going to Japan after April next year. (Since he will be retiring in March next year - my guess is that he takes comfort in knowing that it will no longer be a 'problem' to him should any post in the office be vacant from March 2005 onwards...)
The form was returned to me two days after I submitted it to the KSU's office. I was pleased - until I noticed that he did not answer any of the questions asked. All the main details - his name, position, address, contact numbers - were neatly typed - but none of the main questions were answered.
Before I re-sent the form back to the KSU's office, my friend Daeng took a quick glance at the form and offered some alternative answers as below:
1. What was the nature of your relationship?
Master and slave
2. In what areas does the applicant need improvement or growth?
Ice skating
3. Please comment on the applicant's interpersonal skills. How well does she work within a team?
What interpersonal skills?
4. How would you describe the applicant's leadership skills.
Nil - Nada - Nope
5. Please comment on the applicant's degree of self-confidence.
Too confident for my liking.
6. Please comment on the applicant's personal character?
Again, why all these inane questions?
Sheeshhh...
Am I glad that Daeng still has a loooooong way to go before becoming a KSU...
1 comment:
for the record - yes, i do need to improve a lot in ice skating ;-)
hai, so desu - I was referring to mombukagakusho. it's time for me to learn more and why not do it in Japan?
utsunomiya? ok, will take that into consideration. actually i want to pursue a masters in international communications & relations - but seems to me that nihon no daigaku are only offering one or the other - no combo masters... we'll see how it goes - besides, i'm still unsure whether or not i'll get the scholarship...
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