Going to Japan without knowing the language will bring up some cultural obstacles. Without being able to speak any Japanese, finding internships might be a challenge, as most opportunities require at least some proficiency in the language. It will also be difficult to communicate with supervisors and coworkers while on the job. Other challenges of the language barrier include making it harder to travel and interact with the locals.
Making friends and settling into life in Japan will not be as smooth a transition if you are unable to communicate with those around you. Homesickness and becoming frustrated is not uncommon once foreigners find themselves immersed in a culture they have little understanding of. That said, doing an internship in Japan is a great way to learn the language and advance your language skills.
A number of companies offer Japanese language classes combined with internship programs. These programs are designed to teach Japanese by immersing students into the Japanese culture. Programs from 2 - 12 months are available.
With shorter programs, the basics of grammar and conversation can be grasped. Because interns experience the Japanese language through work and daily life, even short-term programs are the equivalent to spending months learning the language back home. Internship programs also quickly help students improve their accent and learn real world phrases.
Applicants for internships in Japan would want to have at least some previous Japanese language study experience before applying for an internship. Therefore, by the time your internship starts, you will already know basic phrases, be able to communicate simply with work colleagues, and will pick up the language faster.
As the internship progresses, reading publications in Japanese and watching Japanese TV programs will aid in improving vocabulary and understanding word structure.
Respect is an important part of Japanese language and culture, and depending on who is being spoken to, different verb endings and words may be used. Known as "Keigo", this respectful language form is considered extremely important in the business world. Without previous language skills, foreigners might struggle to correctly address supervisors or coworkers, potentially causing tension in the workplace.
Ultimately, the decision about how much Japanese to learn before interning in Japan is up to each individual. Even with a limited grasp of the language, Japanese people are friendly and willing to look past cultural barriers to make friends.
With some patience and effort, foreigners unfamiliar with the language will eventually be able to make themselves understood. And most of all, once their grasp of the language improves, their overall immersion into the culture will result in a more rewarding experience.
Author Resource:
If you're looking for Internships in Japan , we're here to help you. We offer Internship opportunities in the Hotel / Tourism / Hospitality Industry at various Hotels across Japan. Let us help you source, apply, prepare for, and participate in Japan Internships today.
http://www.japaninternship.net/applynow.html Distributed by ContentCrooner.com
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")