University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa senior Joseph Cardello will receive the 2016–17 Monbukagakusho Scholarship from the Japanese government’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) on September 15. Cardello is one of only a handful of undergraduates in the U.S. to be awarded the scholarship.
The Consul General of Japan in Honolulu will formally present the honor to Cardello during the September 15 ceremony. Cardello will leave for the one-year study in Japan at the Kyoto University soon after. The Monbukagakusho Scholarship covers tuition and living expenses, and also provides stipends.
Japanese instructor and MEXT Coordinator Miki Ogasawara helped Cardello through the application process. She notes, “Joseph’s language proficiency is of the highest level. All of us in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures are excited that he will realize his dream of going to Japan to continue his study.”
“Instructor Ogasawara has helped me through the scholarship process, and has been an excellent advisor during my entire time at UHM,“ said Cardello. ”I would also like to thank Japanese Professor Kazue Kanno and the members of the Consulate General of Japan.”
While in Japan, Cardello wants to learn about, and gain a deeper appreciation of, traditional arts such as chado (tea ceremony) and kabuki and noh (theater).
More about Joseph Cardello
Cardello, a native of Londonderry, New Hampshire, moved to Honolulu to pursue his BA at Mānoa. “I had heard great things about the cultural diversity and foreign language programs at UHM. When I came for a visit, I was awed by the depth of the Japanese program and very impressed with the faculty. My high expectations were reached and exceeded!”
“After I earn my BA, I plan on going to graduate school to further study Japanese language and literature. Eventually, I would like to become a professor of Japanese studies,” said Cardello.
