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Matěj Černý, Brno University of Technology,
ročník 4About the country
Location of the place
Japan, the country which everyone has some image about.
You know Japan. Sushi, Samurai, Ninja, robots, electronics, Geisha, Fuji, bizarre TV shows....
The country with lots of beautiful nature, modern cities, rich history, rice fields, rural places, and interesting culture. Country, which has a renome as a super-modern country, where you meet robots on the streets.
In some ways this image can be true, but morely you will change it a lot when come to Japan.
You know Japan. Sushi, Samurai, Ninja, robots, electronics, Geisha, Fuji, bizarre TV shows....
The country with lots of beautiful nature, modern cities, rich history, rice fields, rural places, and interesting culture. Country, which has a renome as a super-modern country, where you meet robots on the streets.
In some ways this image can be true, but morely you will change it a lot when come to Japan.
City
Furukawa.
The city located in Miyagi prefecture few minutes by shinkansen from Sendai. (Almost one hour by normal cheaper train)
It's the city with more 80 000 inhabitants. But there is really not much to do and almost nothing to see. Its just train station, few bars and restaurants and then just houses, streets and supermarkets...
The city located in Miyagi prefecture few minutes by shinkansen from Sendai. (Almost one hour by normal cheaper train)
It's the city with more 80 000 inhabitants. But there is really not much to do and almost nothing to see. Its just train station, few bars and restaurants and then just houses, streets and supermarkets...
Surroundings (possible trips, ...)
If you are on budget you can go just to close places mostly just in Myiagi prefecture at weekends. But there are nice places to see. Matsushima, Ishinomaki, Naruko, Sendai, Yamadera, Iwadeyama, Hirazumi....
Employer
Employer
ALPS Electric Co.,
Big worldwide company with a base in Japan. Mainly focus Mobile technology and Automotive.
Big worldwide company with a base in Japan. Mainly focus Mobile technology and Automotive.
Work description
I was in a group, which develops USRR radar for a car.
At the beginning, there wasn't much to do. But I was lucky then to work on the small interesting project about signal processing on FCMW radar. Work with Matlab mainly.
At the beginning, there wasn't much to do. But I was lucky then to work on the small interesting project about signal processing on FCMW radar. Work with Matlab mainly.
Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)
80 000 YEN/month
+ accomodation was paid by company.
If you stay only in Furukawa and don't go out much. It can be sufficient.
For normal life it is not really. But if you bring some money with you it can be manageable
+ accomodation was paid by company.
If you stay only in Furukawa and don't go out much. It can be sufficient.
For normal life it is not really. But if you bring some money with you it can be manageable
Language requirements
English - good
Most of the people don't speak English, so just good English is more than enough
Knowledge of Japanese would be huge advantage (I didn't have any)
Most of the people don't speak English, so just good English is more than enough
Knowledge of Japanese would be huge advantage (I didn't have any)
Accommodation (price, who provided it)
Paid by the company. Very new and modern apartment. Close to the company and train station. Very nice.
Social life
Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)
Pick-up at the airport and they took us to the company. That was everything.
IAESTE members are just in Tokio, so there are no possibilities to meet them more.
IAESTE members are just in Tokio, so there are no possibilities to meet them more.
Meeting other foreign students
Not in Furukawa.
But we were meeting other foreigners, which work for the company, for a longer period. There were also people from Czech
But we were meeting other foreigners, which work for the company, for a longer period. There were also people from Czech
Sport and culture
If you don't know Japanese, it's really hard to do some sports.
Otherwise, you can go running. And there is a swimming pool with gym, for which you have a discount as a worker for ALPS
Otherwise, you can go running. And there is a swimming pool with gym, for which you have a discount as a worker for ALPS
Food, local specialties
Sushi, sashimi, udon, ramen, soba, tempura.... many
Briefly, Japanese cuisine can be delicious, but also strange.
I really enjoyed a lot of fresh fish
Briefly, Japanese cuisine can be delicious, but also strange.
I really enjoyed a lot of fresh fish
Other information
Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic
This surprisingly was a problem, cause there is apparently no internet connection in apartments. We asked the management and they borrow us a pocket wi-fi with limited data. So not the best option for two people.
But for some emails, you can use the internet in work and you can go to AEON mall for the free wi-fi.
But for some emails, you can use the internet in work and you can go to AEON mall for the free wi-fi.
Recommendations for students who will go to the same place
Don't take much formal clothes. You won't need it in work as you will get a uniform.
Take as much money as you can and enjoyed it.
Take a time after the internship for travelling (It is possible to travel around Japan with a really tight budget)
Try to learn at least the basic phrases in Japanese.
Try to meet as many people as you can (even it is really hard in case of meeting Japanese)
Go to some traditional summer festivals.
Don't bring an umbrella, there are too many of them in Japan.
To every trip you go, don't forget to take a towel and socks.
Take as much money as you can and enjoyed it.
Take a time after the internship for travelling (It is possible to travel around Japan with a really tight budget)
Try to learn at least the basic phrases in Japanese.
Try to meet as many people as you can (even it is really hard in case of meeting Japanese)
Go to some traditional summer festivals.
Don't bring an umbrella, there are too many of them in Japan.
To every trip you go, don't forget to take a towel and socks.
What not to forget with you
If you like mountains and hiking or if you wanna travel cheaply. Bring a tent and sleeping bag. (Or you actually can buy some cheap on Amazon in Japan)
Benefits of the internship
I learnt some new things about the radar. Some new skills in Matlab. Maybe something more...
But mostly I had an opportunity to work in Japan, to explore a bit Japanese culture, to live for few months at the other side of our planet, to travel around the country with beautiful nature.... Those experiences are hard for me to say in more precise benefits. But I feel they are really important, cause I feel more content and confident.
But mostly I had an opportunity to work in Japan, to explore a bit Japanese culture, to live for few months at the other side of our planet, to travel around the country with beautiful nature.... Those experiences are hard for me to say in more precise benefits. But I feel they are really important, cause I feel more content and confident.
Cooperation with IAESTE in the foreign country
There is not much to say. It works, not perfectly, but works.
Overall experience with IAESTE
I didn't if I am really going until the last month.
Otherwise, everything was OK
Otherwise, everything was OK
Student's website
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Employer's webiste
http://www.alps.com/gps_e/
Other useful links
hyperdia. com - train connections
wikitravel.com - source of information about Japan and places
https://www.japan-guide.com/ - another one
http://hitchwiki.org/en/Japan - information about hitchhiking in Japan (recommended !!!)
wikitravel.com - source of information about Japan and places
https://www.japan-guide.com/ - another one
http://hitchwiki.org/en/Japan - information about hitchhiking in Japan (recommended !!!)
Other comments
If you are thinking if go or not to the internship. Don't think, just go, you won't regret. If you are deciding about the country. I think it is more about the actual place than just a country and I think each country has some pros and cons. And I think Japan is a good option.
If you have any questions, you can contact me ([email protected])
If you have any questions, you can contact me ([email protected])