Internship Feedback

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PhD Dominika Hanušová, Tomas Bata University in Zlin,

ročník 7

Faculty

Centre of polymer systems

Field of study

Polymeric engineering

Field of internship

Chemistry, Material Science, and Chemical Engineering

Specialization of Internship

Polymer/Plastics Engineering

Internship period (from - to)

26.6. - 2.9.2023

Internship duration (weeks)

Transport (means, price)

40000 czk, but you can get much much cheaper

Insurance/Insurance company

AXA

Visa/Work permit (yes/no)

Price of Visa

City of Internship

Japan, Tokyo

Internship reference number

JP/2023-58UTK

About the country

Location of the place

It was Toyko. So one of the biggest cities in the world.

City

It was Tokyo. It was very nice, even tho the weather was horribly hot, but you could survive. Sometimes barely, but you could. around Tokyo are many hikes, or you can just explore Tokyo. I enjoyed visiting the 9 gardens of Tokyo. Lovely piece of nature in the middle of the city. You should see Nikko definitely, then also Hakode an Chiba. you have mostly direct trains there.

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

In Tokyo itself is many things to see. I would recommend 9 Tokyo gardens, they are gorgeous. Then some close hikes, some mountains can be reached in about 1 hour by train. Also, the Nikko Heritage site is pretty close.
Even if you are not sure if you want to buy JR pass, you can buy it in Tokyo. It is more expensive. HOWEVER, it will get more expensive this November I think? So be careful if it's worth it for you.

Employer

The University of Tokyo is huge. My building was on the opposite side of the main campus, Hongo, so from the subway station it took another 10 minutes to just get there. The employer was the university so everything went smoothly. Everyone was nice to me.

Work description

Unfortunately, I did mostly theoretical research, because the material, I was supposed to work with, arrived late.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

It was for the basic needs. Nothing extra, spend a lot of my own money. But I didn't really care about it that much.

Language requirements

My English was enough because Japanese people don't speak English well. Sometimes not at all. They are afraid to make a mistake, which is one of the problems. Written English is not a problem, so for your tasks, it is better to write to your supervisor, not to get confused.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

My accomodation was paid for by the university. It was a shared house about 10 minutes by subway from the campus. I had a single room. It was nice, even tho it had paper walls, and it was super hot, but it was tokyo during the summer...

Social life

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

We had few events, like 2 or 3. My contact person picked me up at my transition station because Narita airport is quite far from Tokyo. But they helped me to get my accommodation and with the problem that I had with check-in.

Meeting other foreign students

Because of IAESTE we've met with other foreign students and spend most of the time together.

Sport and culture

Durring summer there was several festivals, so you can just google it. I was at 2 out of 4 fireworks festival.
I also had a cheaper entrance to the school gym, but I didn't use it. They have also a swimming pool, just for entrance you need a cap for your hair. Many people were jogging around the place where I lived, but it was too hot for me.

Food, local specialties

Eating out or eating in is very similar in price, so don't stress it. Go out for a meal, definitely Udon, sushi from Running Sushi, there are two main chains, which are very cheap, and it's OK if you eat there alone - Kura sushi and Sushiro. And in Ueno station is delicious vegan ramen.

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

Nothing is forbidden in Japan, so I used everything as normal, I used Messenger and WA mostly. The time difference was the main obstacle, it is 7 hours.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

Buy a SIM somewhere in the city, not at the airport, it will be cheaper. Either in 7-11, or a big camera.
Google Maps are life. Also don't count that anyone will help you to get where you need, because the Japanese don't speak English. But they will try!!! Don't take it like that. They are very nice, but the English is horrible.

What not to forget with you

Adapter. And check if you can use your adapter for everything. Even tho I had 2, I had to buy one extra because the one for the computer did not fit.
Also get some cash, when you arrive, it is better. In Tokyo, it wasn't that much of a problem to pay by card, but in other places, it was cash only. Also bring a physical card, not just a phone, can't use it in most places.

Benefits of the internship

Professional benefit to be in one of the best universities in the world, in a well-known laboratory. Meeting new international friends. Being in Japan.