Recipients of the Jiyuu-Hugo Sarrade Scholarship

Portrait of Hugo Sarrade

Hugo Sarrade was a master’s student in computer science at the Faculty of Sciences in Montpellier and planned to pursue research in the field of artificial intelligence. He had a particular fondness for Japan, a country he knew well and where he hoped to complete his thesis.

Hugo Sarrade was fascinated by this country, which fosters the natural coexistence of the technological and cultural spheres, while promoting respect for others and the community.

Hugo Sarrade believed that innovation arises from engaging with other fields of knowledge and different technological approaches.

Scholarship Recipient Selection Process / Timeline

The application package must include a cover letter in which applicants explain:
=> why this internship,
=> why Japan,
=> how this internship relates to their academic program,
=> the student’s career goals.
This cover letter will be a key factor in selecting the recipient of the Jiyuu–Hugo Sarrade Scholarship.

The completed application form must be submitted by March 1, 2019, to the following email address: fds.affgen@umontpellier.fr

Incomplete or incorrectly filled-out applications will not be processed.

Candidates will be selected in March 2019.

Applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decisions on March 28, 2019:
for students whose applications have been accepted, provided they submit proof of their internship in Japan;
for those whose applications have not been accepted.
The selection committee’s decisions are final.

Date of the scholarship award to be determined

Alexandra Vinchent, the recipient of the first scholarship, shares her experience

Interview with Alexandra Vinchent, recipient of the First Jiyuu-Hugo Sarrade Scholarship – 2016 – Internship at the Kyoto Institute of Chemical Research from April to June 2016

– “Hello, Alexandra. You are the recipient of the first Jiyuu-Hugo Sarrade Scholarship, which enabled you to complete your first-year internship for the Master’s program in Digital Health Sciences at the Kyoto Institute of Chemical Research from April to June 2016. Can you tell us about that experience?”

Answer: It was a truly enriching experience that I look back on with great fondness! I was placed in a research lab where I was supervised by a wonderful sensei—a mentor in Japanese. During the week, my work schedule was fairly flexible and mirrored that of my colleagues: I’d arrive between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., work, and attend seminars in English or Japanese. In the evening, I’d have dinner with my colleague Winnie around 6–7 p.m. and then get back to work until 9–10 p.m. The weekends gave me the chance to visit Kyoto as well as other Japanese cities—Himeji, Kobe, Osaka, Kurama, and Tokyo—with other young people I met there. The atmosphere was really friendly throughout my stay: we went out together very often, immersed ourselves in Japanese culture, prepared meals together… The days were packed!

– “What have you learned from this experience?”

Answer: Lots of positive things: new knowledge, new friends, wonderful memories, and above all, a world that seems so much richer to me than before!

– “Do you have a story to share with us?”

Answer: During a festival in Kyoto called the "Aoi Matsuri," my friends and I decided to wear authentic kimonos. So we reserved them online at a shop that offered rentals. I didn’t expect putting on this outfit to be so complicated: we had at least three or four layers of clothing in addition to the kimono. Getting dressed took about an hour on average, including doing our hair! When we arrived at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, where the festival was starting, we were very surprised to see that only a few people were wearing this traditional garment, even though it—along with the yukata—is usually the preferred choice for Japanese people during these traditional festivals. Our outfit therefore amused quite a few people, both Japanese and foreigners, who didn’t hesitate to take our picture! That day remains one of my fondest memories.

– “What are your plans for today?”

Answer: After this experience, I decided to enter the workforce, but I haven’t ruled out going back to school in the future to gain new skills.
I also plan to return to Japan to see my friends again and visit other places: my experience really helped me discover a magical country that I want to explore even further!