Nguyen Thanh Lap and his journey as an intern in Gunma, Japan

The UEF mission had an opportunity to discuss with the interns during the visit to the partner university in Japan. In return, the interns also share their experiences and feelings after being abroad for some time.

Among the total of 29 interns who are currently working in the “Land of the Rising Sun”, the university’s leaders made a decision to meet Nguyen Thanh Lap, a UEFer having an internship in Gunma prefecture, and listened to his stories about his work, humanitarian and practical lessons, valuable experiences outside of school as well. 
 

UEF’s leaders paid a visit to interns in Japan

“Calamity is man's true touchstone.” To initiate his story, Nguyen Thanh Lap - a Japanese Language student having an internship in the field of Tourism and Hospitality in Japan - has performed his role as an intern with honest determination and self-discipline throughout his 2 months of working, gaining valuable practical experience.
 

Thanh Lap - An intern at Gunma prefecture, Japan

Thanh Lap revealed that while still a freshman in college, he had a short time working at hotels, food stands, and convenience stores in Ho Chi Minh City before beginning his internship here. In the hotel industry especially, he has experience in working in a Japan-related environment. Due to his experiences, he easily got approval from family, and mental support from his teachers and friends when he made up his mind on having an internship in Japan.
 

Though it was a tough journey, Lap still strongly surmounted the challenges
 

Thanh Lap and Quang Dat, another UEFer working as an intern here

Thanh Lap could not hide his gratitude for the unexpected visit from the university’s leaders. No sooner had he met the university’s leaders at Itoen Hotel Oze Oigami Sanrakuso in Gunma prefecture than Thanh Lap confidently shared his story about the internship progress, even if it was pleasant or not. 

“As an intern, throwing garbage at the end of the day is one of my early tasks. It may not be a “luxurious” job but I was really serious about it. On some days, working hours might extend past 9 PM, and on top of that, I am in fear of ghosts but my manager was resolute. I had to endure all the fright and tears while reminding myself it was only a short challenge.”

After nearly two months of working here, he could handle this by listening to music while walking, and he was glad to be able to unwind after a long working day. He got so familiar with this job that it seems lighter than when he first started, Thanh Lap added.
 

To Lap, taking the risk of interning overseas is the right decision

Thanh Lap is living in a rented room with another UEF student, which is just a few steps from the office. Housing conditions are assured; amenities, such as refrigerators and washing machines, are provided; rest time is reasonable conforming to regulations, etc. Thanh Lap gets up at 5:30 a.m., gets dressed, and commutes to work. After finishing his afternoon shift, Lap prepares dinner with his friend. Regarding food and necessities, Lap is invited by his manager or his seniors to the supermarket on any particular day of the week. Lap gets a day off every week; if work is overflowing, his day off is shortened to half.

Lap mentioned: “The first day of my internship, I was not used to the job, so I was so overwhelmed and I had a fever, but I still had to provide help and carry out my work. I later learned that this is the golden week of the Japanese, so many people come to relax. Of course, when I work overtime, I can still receive bonuses or compensatory days off."

When being asked whether he would like to share or express anything to his fellow interns in Japan or himself during this internship, "I still want to successfully complete my internship before returning to finish the course," he declares firmly. “Besides the internship, which helps me attain knowledge about numerous areas of specialisation such as serving, kitchen, housecleaning, reception, and coordination, I intend to save some money after a year of internship. And I am doing it."

Sharing more about the future, Thanh Lap determined that, after completing the internship, with experience gained in Japan, he will seize a job related to Japan, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, in the hotel and restaurant industry.
 

Lap expects to get an appropriate Japanese-related job in the future 

It is known that his family had aided Thanh Lap in growing strong self-discipline from the moment he enrolled at UEF. His parents paid for his tuition, but he handled his own living expenses. This mentality has generated the picture of a UEF Japanese language student who has made the daring decision to complete an internship in Japan with hardships that not everyone wants to face. "My friends advised me to think about it carefully before going to Japan as an intern, but I am quite confident in my choice, and I believe it is the right decision," Thanh Lap stated. "Camity is man's true touchstone."

At the end of Thanh Lap's story, it was late 11 PM, the teachers sent their wishes for a successful internship with flying colours to the enthusiastic, hard-working and determined student with a progressive spirit.
 

News/Photos: UEF mission