What inspired you to go abroad?
I have moved to different European countries throughout my life. The benefits I have gained through these international experiences to me are invaluable. I wanted to challenge myself further, and discover a novel and exciting part of the world; this is why I chose to come to Japan and look for a job. With an internship opportunity, I was able to get my foot in the door, and with some hard work and adaptation I was able to get a full-time job in Tokyo.
Why did you choose Internship in Japan?
I found ICC Consultants Internships in Japan through a Google search. I heavily relied on online searches to find the best career options in Japan. Amongst the many internship and work agencies targeted for foreigners, I found ICC to be the best qualified and most supportive. Its staff have proved themselves to be very attentive.
Expo, Big Sight
What was your favorite part about Japan?
I had the opportunity to visit Japan quite a few times before deciding to work in Tokyo. I love the uniqueness of Japanese culture and how different it is from the cultures I have grown up in. Unlike popular belief, I find Japanese people to be very warm and friendly, since I have been here in Tokyo I have made many local friends. I also find that Tokyo's singularity attracts a special kind of person from abroad. Not only did I have the chance to meet great Japanese people, but I have also befriended people from around the world. Tokyo is truly becoming an international metropolis.
What made your experience abroad unique?
When I joined ICC's Internship program, I did not have a very clear idea of what I would be like by the end of it. Even before I left, I loved Japan and was very enthusiastic to experience working life in Tokyo for six months. I considered trying to get a full time job and move to Japan, although the thought of using this internship to build my CV to qualify for more jobs back home was definitely in the back of my mind.
As I started working and enjoying social life in Tokyo I started to fall in love with it more and more everyday. I have never been more sure of myself as I am now; being here is definitely giving me a sense of challenge and self-actualization.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The staff at ICC have been very supportive and did a great job being the liaison for me between the company and language school I was enrolled in. Their availability and consideration to their internees is stellar. They have helped me feel as if I always had someone I could fall back upon in cases of emergencies. The application process was easy and swift. There are no complaints that I can really think of.
Team photo in front of our booth at an expo in Big Sight
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I have been very lucky to have been placed in a company which is very international. I have worked mainly with international clients, and most of the employees in the company speak English. I attended a month of language school, and during my internship, I have studied Japanese in my own free time, although quite scarcely.
One thing I wish I did differently is to have studied Japanese in a language school or with a tutor for a couple more months. Luckily it is not mandatory to have a high level of Japanese for my role in the company, but dominance of the language is key for fast career progression.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
The working hours for my internship were from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. I would wake up around 6:45 a.m. to get ready and I would arrive at the office around 8:15 a.m. Although it is not mandatory to be arriving so early, I wanted to not only show initiative and eagerness towards my work, but it would also give me more time to learn more about my tasks.
At 9:00 a.m. we would have a stand-up morning greeting, during which everyone gets up from their seats and listens to either the CEO or the HR manager, who would inform us of important daily or weekly events. Later on I would have an hour lunch break with my co-workers around 11:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. I would also participate in meetings or briefings whenever necessary. Apart from that, I would just work on my tasks until 6:00 p.m.
Overtime was not expected of me during my internship. I had to put in very few extra hours, but as I hold my work to quite a high standard, I did feel the need to sometimes stay an extra hour to complete a task that had a tight due date or just to keep ahead of my workload. I also participated in three different expos held in Big Sight, during which I would hand out information about our company, try to exchange business cards with potential customers, and answer any questions interested people had regarding the services we offer.
Kanda Matsuri
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
I have made great friends both in the company, in my shared house, and out in the city. I wanted to experience as much of the local culture as possible, so I participated in Kanda Matsuri with some local friends and carried the Mikoshi around for many hours over two days. I visited many shrines and temples in Tokyo, and in neighbouring areas such as Kamakura, Enoshima, Nagano, Hakone, Yokohama, and Kyoto, and started my own Goshuincho. I stayed in Ryokans and went to Onsens in Hakone. (Note: Although I do have quite a large tattoo, I didn't have issues with complaints from other customers. I do suggest using bandages or tattoo seals if possible though).
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
I used Borderless House as a letting agency. Even with very short notice during high season, they managed to find a room for me. I was quite impressed with their professionalism. The house itself was located in a relatively convenient spot not too far away from the local station.
Borderless made a concerted effort to keep a 50/50 ratio between Japanese and international tenants, and I found this to be a great way to socialise and develop friendships with local people. I chose to stay in a shared house rather than have my own apartment for this exact reason. I thought it would be an easy way for me to know more people, especially Japanese people, during my stay. Not only has that happened, but we also had a successful language exchange. I would ask for help with my Japanese to the local tenants and they would ask help with their English in return. All in all, it was a great experience.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
Keeping in mind that many people who are considering enrolling in this program are young and going through a transitional period, the one suggestion I offer is to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with this experience. Do you want to learn Japanese? Do you want to improve your CV? Or do you want to get your foot through the door and perhaps start a career here in Japan? Completing any or all of these is totally up to you, and to the amount of effort you exert during this program.
I realised what my goal was early on during my experience and I thankfully achieved it. I wish the same to any participant enrolled in this program.
Kanda Matsuri
How has your internship in Japan impacted your life?
I can safely say that the time I spent in Japan has changed me for the better. Having mainly experienced European life, I have learned how Japanese people work, think, and enjoy their free time. I will never forget this adventure. I will do my best to keep experiencing different cultures by travelling and working in other countries because I believe that is the best way to learn about oneself and to expand one's horizons.
Would you recommend your program to others? Why?
Absolutely! My overall experience was excellent. If you are an open minded, receptive, and respectful person, I am sure there are a lot of benefits one could gain by enrolling in the internship program offered by ICC. The staff is very helpful, the program itself is well structured, and you will undoubtedly meet amazing people during your stay.
