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Martin Tavoda, Brno University of Technology,

ročník 2

Faculty

Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication

Field of study

Electronics and communication technologies

Field of internship

Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Specialization of Internship

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Other.

Internship period (from - to)

03.07.2023 - 31.08.2023

Internship duration (weeks)

Transport (means, price)

Airplane, Cathay Pacific, 1000€

Insurance/Insurance company

Union Slovakia

Visa/Work permit (yes/no)

Price of Visa

City of Internship

Japan, Furukawa, Osaki city, Miyagi

Internship reference number

JP/2023-0801

About the country

Location of the place

Furukawa (古川) is a small and calm town. It's 400km from Tokyo and 2h by Shinkansen. The nearest city is Sendai.

City

All of the basic needs you can find in the town. There was a big supermarket close to my apartment also a library with free WIFI and some sushi or ramen restaurants. The free time you can spend riding a bike or go swimming to a public swimming pool. There was nothing special to see in the town. For some more entertainment you have to go to the near city Sendai (仙台), which is 1h far by a bus.

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

I recommend taking a public transport and going a little bit further. The city Sendai has many traditional Japanese places. You can visit Sendai castle or Zuihōden temple. Sendai Daikannon is a tall statue which you can see from the whole city. Nice trip is to the Matsushima village. Few stops from there by a train you can go swimming to a public beach. Another choice is a walk alongside river from Omoshiroyama Gogen to Yamadera, where is a very old Temple. Little bit further away is Naruko Onsen or Akiu Great Falls, where you can rent a bike for free.

Employer

I worked in R&D Center of ALPS ALPINE which is a huge Japanese company. The workplace was newly renovated with a very nice canteen with delicious food. The working time was strict and determined by a office broadcast, but nothing to worry about. My colleagues were very friendly even though I didn't know any Japanese and their english was very basic.

Work description

I was working in EMC lab on my own project. The assignment was clear and I had been supported by my colleague during whole internship.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

The salary wasn't high but it was enough for a food. All employees had discount for lunch at canteen. The company bought me a fly ticket and paid for the accommodation. So I spent my own resources only for traveling and entertainment.

Language requirements

The english level of ordinary Japanese people or my co-workes was very basic, most of them didn't spoke english at all. We agreed on everything important but no long talking was comfortable for them. It is very valuable if you know at least few Japanese words and phrases.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

Accommodation was very nice, new and clean. It was a spacious apartment paid by the employer. There was bedding, pot, pan, fridge, rice cooker and washing machine.

Social life

Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)

I arrived to Tokyo 4 days before my internship started. IAESTE member picked me up on a train station, where I came from airport. After dinner he accompanied me to my accommodation. During first days I met many other interns and IAESTE members and I also participated on a great IAESTE event in Kamakura. After I had to move to Furukawa, where there were no foreigners. Fortunately, in Sendai (the closest city) there was one IAESTE member and few interns so we were meeting every weekend.

Meeting other foreign students

I met planty of foreign students in Tokyo and we were having so much fun. Also in Sendai, I spent long time with my new European friends and we went on many trips together.

Sport and culture

The company provided me a bike for free. There is a swimming pool and lot of pleasant paths for evening running.

Food, local specialties

I highly recommend eating as much ramen, sushi, okonomiyaki, curry, and others as possible. I'm missing the Japanese cuisine very much. There are plenty of restaurants in Furukawa and especially in Sendai for a great price.

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

There were no problems with communicating via social media with my family. The most common social network in Japan is Line, others are not very popular.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

Don't be afraid of the not very busy city and travel as much as possible. Enjoy your time in Japan!

What not to forget with you

Everything can be bought there. Leave some space in luggage for presents and souvenirs for the way back.

Benefits of the internship

The best experience in my life. Japan is so clean and safe country, with so polite and kind people. Working in a big company in field which I'm studding was very profitable from me.

Cooperation with IAESTE in the foreign country

We communicated via email and there was no problem.

Overall experience with IAESTE

IAESTE gives people unrepeatable opportunities and that brings back valuable experiences. They are a community of great people and thankfully to this internship I could joined them.