Why did you choose this program?
I chose this Zentern Internship's "Interview + Culture" program because I was actively seeking an opportunity to intern abroad. I wanted work experience, but I also wanted to differentiate myself from others who do more typical internships. And their program stood out to me because the rates were competitive compared to other programs I looked at. And it also offered an interesting opportunity for both professional development and cultural immersion. I've always found Japanese culture and cuisine fascinating, and I loved that they had options for experiencing the culture alongside the internship work. Plus, Japan was an ideal location for me due to its reputation as a safe environment, which was important since I would be far from home.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
Zentern Internships assisted in several key areas. They provided the necessary documents for visa applications and they offered advice on managing finances abroad, though I handled the actual applications and account setups. They also gave me access to an accommodation portal and SIM card options, but I was responsible for finalizing (including selecting and paying for) both. For the internship itself, they secured interviews with companies and supported me with interview prep, CV, and portfolio guidance. I still had to follow their instructions to implement their recommendations, however. Also, after securing the internship, they took care of all the required paperwork. Finally, I also had to cover flight tickets myself.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
I have several. One is to double-check your visa eligibility (make sure you are applying for the right visa) and apply on time. I learned the hard way that it pays to be diligent in your preparations. My arrival into the country wouldn't have been delayed if I had known I was not eligible for an eVisa and just applied at the Japanese embassy from the start. Additionally, I recommend providing Zentern with all the necessary documents for job applications as early as possible- maybe 4-6 months before you plan to have your internship. This increases your chances of securing a desired role. Finally, I think it's wise to plan your return dates to allow some time at the end of your internship to explore and relax in the country, making the most of your experience abroad. If you can, stay right up till your visa is on the verge of expiring haha
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
My typical workday ran from 10 AM to 5:30 PM. The company I worked for, Mobell, was kind enough to adjust the start time to help avoid rush hour, which was great, although commuting home felt like being a sardine on those crowded Tokyo lines haha! During the week, I engaged in a variety of tasks, including data analysis, visualization, and even charity work with Mobell's sister company, Seibo, where I made school visits and taught an online statistics course. However, my main project was designing a customer support chatbot. Outside work, Zentern arranged cultural activities. They secured a few days off work for me to engage with those sometimes, but most took place on weekends. I spent most weekends, exploring restaurants, arcades, karaoke, local festivals, touring old towns, etc. sometimes with coworkers but mostly via Zentern. Overall, the program was enriching both professionally and culturally.
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 fears about going to Japan were the language barrier and my ability to cook. To tackle the language issue, I tried to learn as much Japanese as I could, but I ended up heavily relying on Google Translate once I got there. As for cooking, I was a little worried about finding familiar ingredients, but I didn't do any preparation for this beforehand. Once I arrived, however, I found that convenience stores and bento boxes made things much easier than I expected. Plus, the stores were more familiar than I thought, and while I couldn't find everything I wanted, there were plenty of common options and it was fun trying new things too. As for changed views, I realized technology is pretty good for bridging that gap, though I still value being able to connect to someone without external help. I noticed people reacted positively to unaided understanding/communication out of respect for the effort involved in learning a new language. And for cooking, I grew to love convenience stores and really miss them!
How has this program influenced your future career plans?
This program has influenced my future career plans in a few unexpected ways. During the induction event, I had the opportunity to meet the CEO of Zentern in person for the first time. Speaking with her and hearing her story of founding a company in a foreign country was really inspiring. Later in the program, dealing with the language barrier and seeing how technology could bridge that gap gave me a business idea. If I pursue it and it succeeds, then the trajectory of my life could take a completely different direction, potentially leading me back to Japan more often. It's uncertain but exciting to think about. On a practical level, however, I also honed my data analysis and visualization skills, which aligns well with my interest in pursuing data science as a career. The program also provided great networking opportunities, too, and I'm curious to see how those connections may shape my career in the future!
