The Tokyo University of Science campus was located near Iidabashi Station, close to the Shinjuku area. Unlike many tourist areas in central Tokyo, the neighbourhood was relatively calm and not crowded with visitors. It had a pleasant atmosphere, with a river nearby and everyday local life. The area was well connected by public transport, which made commuting easy.

Tokyo quickly became a place I feel very connected to. It is a huge city that can feel like a different planet. People are often in a hurry and the city moves fast, but everyday interactions are polite and respectful. During the three months I spent there, I made many friends, both local and international. Even after long days at work, there was always something to do or somewhere to go — arcades, small bars, cafés, restaurants, karaoke, or simply walking through different neighbourhoods. I often went to baseball games or batting cages in my free time. Well-known areas such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Asakusa were places I visited often, with Asakusa being my favourite. I lived in the Itabashi area of Tokyo, near Chikatetsu Akatsuka Station, which was a quieter residential part of the city, less crowded than central areas and with its own local charm.

Last year, during a holiday in Japan, I visited several major cities besides Tokyo, including Sendai, Nara, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Kobe. The only exception was Osaka, which I visited again this year specifically to attend Expo 2025. Thanks to this previous experience, I was already familiar with the main tourist destinations. During my internship stay, I therefore focused more on less crowded places and trips outside the usual tourist routes. I visited places such as Nikko and Ito, which offered a calmer and more local atmosphere. I also travelled to Kofu, a city close to the Japanese Alps, from where I went hiking and climbed Mount Kitadake in perfect weather, experiencing the most beautiful sunrise and views I have ever seen, something I will remember for the rest of my life.

Tokyo University of Science was my host institution. It is a large, well-established science- and technology-oriented university in Japan. I was employed as a research intern in the laboratory of Prof. Shinichi Saitō, which is a relatively small research group.

I worked as a research intern in a laboratory focused on organic and organometallic synthesis. My work included carrying out experimental reactions, preparing and purifying intermediates, and analysing results using NMR spectroscopy. The work was hands-on and structured, with regular supervision from Prof. Shinichi Saitō as well as guidance from senior members of the laboratory. Working in a small research group allowed me to experience the Japanese work mentality, including long working hours, careful execution of experiments, and strong attention to detail.

The salary was sufficient to cover my accommodation, with some amount remaining that helped cover some lunches and dinners. Daily transportation to school was inexpensive, while travel across Japan, including some train journeys, was quite expensive and had to be covered from my own funds.

The supervisor was fluent in English, and some members of the laboratory could communicate in English to a limited extent, while others did not speak English at all. In general, English is not commonly used, and communication often required the use of translation tools. I highly recommend learning at least basic Japanese phrases before arrival, as people appreciate the effort and tend to be more open and helpful.

The Tokyo University of Science helped by contacting a housing provider and sharing my contact details. The accommodation itself was not provided by the university, and all further arrangements were handled by me independently. I stayed in a shared house in Tokyo in a small private room of about 7 m², with shared bathrooms and showers. While the price may be high or surprising for some, this type of accommodation and cost are fairly standard for Tokyo and were acceptable for the duration of the internship.

I attended several IAESTE-organised events at the beginning of my stay. The events were well planned and well organised, and they were very important for me at the start of the internship. They helped me get to know not only the local environment, but especially other international students. The activities included guided visits to different parts of the city, as well as social events such as an international cook-off and workshops, which made it much easier to integrate and build connections early on.

Meeting other international students was one of the highlights of my stay. On my own, I would not have travelled as much as I did, and thanks to the people I met at IAESTE events, I was able to explore many places and truly enjoy my time in Japan. We became close in a relatively short time, shared many experiences together, and I am still in regular contact with them even after my return.

Due to the high temperatures and humidity, I did not engage in much regular sport during my stay. Even with the heat, I was still able to go hiking, which I would strongly recommend. Japan offers beautiful nature and many national parks, and hiking and climbing Mount Kitadake, the second-highest mountain in Japan, was one of the most memorable experiences of my stay. Besides that, I enjoyed visiting batting cages and attending baseball games of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, which was a great way to experience local sports.
From a cultural perspective, I was impressed not only by the large number of temples and shrines, but also by everyday Japanese culture itself. I also experienced several summer festivals, which were an incredible and very lively insight into local traditions and community life.

Food in Japan hardly needs an introduction. I especially enjoyed the quality and freshness of ingredients, from sushi and other fresh fish dishes to grilled set meals. I also really liked yakiniku, including excellent beef and wagyu, as well as yakitori skewers, soba, and ramen. Another memorable experience was seafood barbecues by the sea. For those who are not very fond of traditional Japanese cuisine, there is also a wide range of fusion and international food available, from Italian to Turkish cuisine. One of my personal favourites was a simple saba set meal, a grilled mackerel dish commonly served as an everyday meal, which became my comfort food.

Communication with the Czech Republic was without limitations. I did not have a Japanese phone number, but I used an eSIM with data packages for internet access. Calls and messages were handled via social media and applications such as Messenger and WhatsApp without any issues.

I would strongly recommend being prepared for a significant cultural shock and a sense of loneliness, especially at the beginning. This phase can be challenging, but it gradually improves as you adapt and build routines. Learning at least some basic Japanese before departure is very important. This was something I personally missed, and I later realised how helpful even simple phrases can be in everyday situations. I also recommend learning as much as possible about Japan in advance, including customs, traditions, and everyday etiquette, to avoid unintentional misunderstandings. Finally, it is useful to plan travel ideas and itineraries beforehand, as there is often limited time for detailed planning during the internship itself.

Make sure to check the visa type in advance (for example a 90-day temporary visitor visa or a regular visa, depending on the length and purpose of stay). It is also worth arranging an international driving permit before departure, as it is easy and inexpensive to obtain in the Czech Republic. Arrange mobile data in advance (eSIM or SIM), as reliable internet access is essential from the first day. I used Google Maps daily for navigating the metro and trains, so having mobile data is very important. It is also highly recommended to add a Suica card to your mobile phone for public transport and everyday payments. If you plan to pay the first rent after arrival, bring more cash with you and consider getting a bank card with low fees for cash withdrawals abroad. Do not forget to arrange travel and health insurance before departure. As a foreigner in Japan, you are required to carry your passport with you at all times for identification purposes, as police checks may occur. A second passport is not required, but in hindsight it can be useful as an additional backup. If there are any questions or if further information is needed, please feel free to contact me using the contact details provided in this form.

The internship was highly beneficial both professionally and personally. From a work perspective, it provided valuable hands-on experience in a research laboratory and strengthened my understanding of experimental work in an international academic environment. It is also a strong and meaningful experience to include in my CV. Beyond the technical aspects, the internship had a major impact on my personal development. Living and working in a new environment with a different mentality helped me become more adaptable, resilient, and open-minded. The experience broadened my perspective, improved my ability to adjust to unfamiliar situations, and ultimately changed me for the better, not only academically but also as a person.

Cooperation with IAESTE in the host country was overall positive. At the beginning, communication before the internship took longer than expected, especially regarding responses, which was stressful at times. However, in the end, the waiting and uncertainty were worth it. After arrival, IAESTE played an important role mainly through the organisation of activities for trainees. These events were very well organised and helped a lot with settling in. Thanks to them, I met other international trainees with whom I later spent time, socialised, and travelled around Japan. This support was especially valuable at the start of the stay and had a strong positive impact on my overall experience.