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Bc. Aleš Bílý, CTU Prague,
ročník 4About the country
Location of the place
Furukawa is located in the middle of Tohoku Region northern from Sendai.
Tohoku region offers many opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, visiting festivals and onsens.
Tohoku region offers many opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, visiting festivals and onsens.
City
I lived in Furukawa which is part of Osaki City in Prefecture Miyagi.
City is very flat crossed by a river.
Crossing the city took about 2 hours on foot.
Unfortunately, there is almost nothing to do when you're on a budget.
City is very flat crossed by a river.
Crossing the city took about 2 hours on foot.
Unfortunately, there is almost nothing to do when you're on a budget.
Surroundings (possible trips, ...)
There is not many interesting places in Furukawa but if you travel for a little you can visit villages full of onsens(hot springs), take sightseeing boat trip, hike a mountain, visit shrines and temples or try non-traditional culinary delight.
Employer
Employer
ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Company interested in mass production for automotive.
Company interested in mass production for automotive.
Work description
Testing bluetooth and wi-fi interoperability between mobile devices and automotive module.
Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)
My paycheck was 80000 Yen that means around 16000 czk per month. This amount of money was enough to survive.
But... Probably as every trainee I wanted to get as much experience as possible but with 80000 yen you have right enough to survive but not to travel.
For example:
Local trains for distance about 50 km cost more than 1000 yen for one way.
But... Probably as every trainee I wanted to get as much experience as possible but with 80000 yen you have right enough to survive but not to travel.
For example:
Local trains for distance about 50 km cost more than 1000 yen for one way.
Language requirements
Expected was English but reality was totally different. About 85 % Japanese have serious problem with English language. But foreign community helped us to translate at least workload.
Accommodation (price, who provided it)
Accommodation was provided by ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.. All Financial expenses for accommodation and energies were fully paid by ALPS.
The journey from the accommodation to work took less than 5 minutes :)
The journey from the accommodation to work took less than 5 minutes :)
Social life
Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)
I met my Contact Person twice in Tokyo for few hours before move to Furukawa.
Meeting other foreign students
I met about 10 foreigners from ALPS but none of them were student. Unfortunately in ALPS ELECTRIC CO. in Furukawa is very strong Czech Community from ALPS Electric Czech.
Sport and culture
This is point i still can't understand.
More than 70 000 people live in Furukawa but there is almost no chance to do some sport. We found only one swimming pool in whole city and one boulder wall both of them very expensive.
For example:
Boulder wall for 2 hours cost more than 2000 yen without equipment.
More than 70 000 people live in Furukawa but there is almost no chance to do some sport. We found only one swimming pool in whole city and one boulder wall both of them very expensive.
For example:
Boulder wall for 2 hours cost more than 2000 yen without equipment.
Food, local specialties
As you can expect Japanese cuisine is complete different from European.
Probably most common meal in Japan is called Ramen which usually consist of noodles and meat drowned in Miso soup.
There are many other Japanese specialities like Sushi, Curry and anything based on rice you can even imagine.
Probably most common meal in Japan is called Ramen which usually consist of noodles and meat drowned in Miso soup.
There are many other Japanese specialities like Sushi, Curry and anything based on rice you can even imagine.
Other information
Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic
You might be surprised how big deal is get internet connection in Japan luckily I had shopping center just few minutes from my apartment. There was free wifi.
After first week I finally found data SIM card for 90 days and 2 GB FUP... at least something but now I won't complain for prices of mobile services in Czech Republic... in Japan it's much more expensive.
After first week I finally found data SIM card for 90 days and 2 GB FUP... at least something but now I won't complain for prices of mobile services in Czech Republic... in Japan it's much more expensive.
Recommendations for students who will go to the same place
After your arrival to Furukawa buy bike in 2nd store, it can cost less than 12000 yen but i can same you much more money for travelling.
Go for shopping between 8 to 9 pm because most of food stores making big sales for meat and vegetable (from 10 to 70 % off is usual)
Go for shopping between 8 to 9 pm because most of food stores making big sales for meat and vegetable (from 10 to 70 % off is usual)
What not to forget with you
Don't forget closed comfortable shoes at least one pair.
Don't forget shorts because most of the time there was hot and humid.
Don't forget shorts because most of the time there was hot and humid.
Benefits of the internship
New culture experiece
Wonderful nature
5 day over 1600 meters height above sea level at Daisetsuzan during Obon holiday
Wonderful nature
5 day over 1600 meters height above sea level at Daisetsuzan during Obon holiday
Cooperation with IAESTE in the foreign country
Just few hours in Tokyo but most of the time none.
I was a bit pity there were any trainee event or maybe I just haven't been invited.
I was a bit pity there were any trainee event or maybe I just haven't been invited.
Overall experience with IAESTE
Very positive.
In case of a questions, the answers were quick and concise.
In case of a questions, the answers were quick and concise.
Student's website
http://www.iaeste.or.jp/to_jp
Employer's webiste
http://www.alps.com/gps_e/
Other useful links
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
Other comments
I highly recommend t use JapanTravel Andriod app for public transport. Japan is full of private transport companies and there is none valid source of all public transport information but application JapanTravel can save you loot of time.