Why did you choose this program?
I chose this program because of the professionalism and kindness of the Zentern team. Noa, my internship contact, not only helped me find accommodation but also helped prep and get into my dream internship. As for Satomi sensei, the Japanese lessons teacher, she always taught the lessons with a smile on her face, taking the time to answer any questions the students had. But above all, both of them made sure to help each intern in any way possible and made sure we were comfortable.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
Zentern helped me quickly find accommodation, a mobile subscription, and an internship. The housing and the mobile plan were really of a huge help, as it would have been difficult to manage the first few days, otherwise. The things I had to manage were just personal matters such as for example getting my residence card etc.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
If fears and doubts are the things that are making you hesitate, please don't listen to them! I am saying this, because before doing this program and traveling far from country to Japan, I was filled with doubts, so much so that I was almost about to forfeit my dream. I mustered the courage to take a leap of faith and traveled in the land of the rising sun. Yes, it was a little overwhelming and confusing, in the beginning. And yes, it took some time to adjust to the new environment. But, please believe me when I say that traveling here has been the best decision I have ever made. I gained not only confidence and courage, but it helped me improve my language skills, as well.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
As an intern, you usually work the whole week, but in my case, I had the opportunity to choose my hours. If you choose the option with the Japanese lessons, you will have 3 days of class (usually on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, after or before the internship). If you choose the cultural events, each week, you will be able to participate in fun activities (usually on Saturdays).
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
My biggest fear was the idea of surviving alone in a foreign country with a language barrier. I must say that going through Zentern helped me a lot in overcoming this fear because, through the internship and Japanese class, I was able to make new friends. Furthermore, Noa and Satomi sensei also made sure that I was comfortable and enjoying Japan to its fullest.
Is the language barrier too difficult to surpass and is it easy to make friends?
You may have heard that English isn't very common in Japan and that it is a little difficult to get around without knowing a little bit of Japanese beforehand. But, trust me when I say that the locals are very patient and will help you in any way possible. So it is possible to manage without, but learning it is always a plus. As for friends, applications such as Meet Up are an excellent way to meet new people. You can also make friends through Zentern and broaden your network.