Oriental Studies student’s one-year-long experience in Japan

“With the characteristics of the major, I think it’s essential to visit Japan at least once to gain practical experiences.” Driven by his curiosity, Nguyen Thanh Duong, course 24 student of Oriental Studies at Van Lang University, embarked on an exciting journey to Japan.

Benefiting from the extensive partnerships with prestigious educational institutions and businesses, the Oriental Studies major, particularly the Japanese Studies department at Van Lang University (VLU) has successfully organized numerous international internship opportunities and facilitated the transfer of 70 students to Japan for study and work.

Fueled by his passion for Japanese language, culture, and history, Thanh Duong was motivated to become course 24 student of Oriental Studies at Van Lang University. In his second year, upon learning about the internship program in Japan offered by the Japanese Studies department, he seized the opportunity to challenge himself. “Studying at VLU has equipped me with valuable academic knowledge and language skills. Given the nature of a country studies major like Oriental Studies, I think it is essential to at least once visit the country you are studying to gain the most realistic understanding. This experience has so far proven to be completely worthwhile,” Thanh Duong said.

The internship program that Thanh Duong is participating in is co-organized by the Japanese Studies department, Oriental Studies of Van Lang University and various businesses in Japan. Under this program, VLU students are granted internship visas by the Japanese government, provided with accommodations and paid work for a period of 6 to 12 months, allowing them to acquire knowledge in a more proactive, practical, and vivid manner.

Currently, Thanh Duong is undergoing a 1-year-long international internship in two of Japan's most famous tourist cities, Kyoto, and Sapporo, working as a room attendant at a large hotel chain. Thanh Duong said, “This paid internship has offered me a multitude of benefits, including the opportunity to hone my soft skills, develop independence, improve time management, and handle real-life issues that may arise in an international business environment. Studying and working in Japan requires a high level of seriousness, precision, and discipline. This serves as both a challenge and a great environment for my personal growth.”

Living away from home, homesickness is inevitable, especially during the Lunar New Year. A senior student even shared a tip with Duong to overcome the holiday blues by "avoiding social media" to prevent feeling down when seeing friends and family celebrating the holiday back in Vietnam. Overcoming all challenges, Duong strives to improve himself every day, making the most of his opportunity to experience and accumulate valuable experience during his year of living and working in Japan.

In his message to other Oriental Studies students, Duong shared: “Stay curious and never stop yearning for knowledge. I believe that curiosity is a crucial factor that drives us to be more proactive and determined in studying, especially in a major that focuses on researching a country's culture, people, and history. I am grateful to Van Lang University and the lecturers for creating favorable conditions for me to satisfy my curiosity about Japan and my thirst for knowledge.”

News: Hoai Anh
Images: Thanh Duong