昨年よりTOEFL®テストを開発・運営する米国非営利教育団体ETS（Educational Testing Service）が、優れた学業成績、課外活動への参加経験、英語のコミュニケーション能力を持った将来国際舞台でリーダーシップの発揮が期待されるTOEFL iBT®受験者のサポートを目的としたスカラシップ（奨学金）プログラムをスタートしました。前回に引き続き2011年の受賞者のみなさんに進学先での様子などについてお聞きしました。

Currently I have been working to complete my one-year MA program in Political Science with a specialization in Comparative Politics at Ohio University, Athens, OH. During my stay here in the US, I have been immersing myself in a variety of activities. I continue participating in student activities and writing for several mass media and online publications, and recently I just attended the 11th Annual International Graduate Student Conference on the Asia-Pacific Region at the University of Hawaii at Manoa,Honolulu, organized by the East-West Center to present my research titled “Political Parties and Religious Local Ordinances in Post-Suharto Indonesia”.

【Presenting about “Political Parties and Religious Local Ordinances” at the 11th Annual International Graduate Student Conference (IGSC) on the Asia Pacific Region organized by the East-West Center (EWC) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM),Honolulu.(Feb 17-18, 2012).】

【Getting the conference certificate】

- About the Scholarship Program

The 2011 TOEFL Scholarship Program in Japan has been greatly helpful in supporting my study here in the US. With the help of the scholarship, along with graduate assistantship from my university and other forms of financial supports from my department, I have been able to pursue my graduate study without any worries.

- Message to people who are planning to study abroad

Studying abroad is always a good experience. What more important is not learning in the classrooms, but learning from our own experience immersing and exposing ourselves in someone else’s cultures and societies. At times, it may be difficult to go overseas to study, but when there is a will, there is always a way (especially if you can get generous support from sponsors/institutions like TOEFL for instance).