TOMODACHI Internship Program Participants Share Their Experiences in Online Presentations

On April 26, 2021, five American university students shared their TOMODACHI Internship Program experiences online. Representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) had the opportunity to hear their stories directly from the students themselves.

During the presentations, program participants shared what they were able to accomplish during their internships and the lessons they will take away from their experiences. Despite the fact that most of the internships were online, the participants persevered and were able to further enhance their skills including design, teaching, and coding. Moreover, they were able to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture and experience living in Japan.

Marissa Schnell, one of the program participants, launched a podcast during her internship at a startup. Throughout her internship, she was able to practice effective communication in a leadership role and learned the value of confidence when turning her ideas into reality. She was able to reach her full potential as a result of the creative freedom she was given as an intern.

This program was created in 2015 to facilitate more Japanese internship opportunities for American students. Program participants engage in a wide variety of sectors and also receive university credit. This program is implemented in partnership with Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ), and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.