INTERNSHIPS
Students enrolled in the ESJ program will participate in an internship with the University of Shiga Prefecture. These internships give the student a chance to attain fluency in Japanese, experience firsthand Japanese environmental issues, and gain valuable work experience to put on their resumes when they graduate. There are a number of internships available. Students who are interested in a specific internship will be given preference in assignment when possible. Students who have a specific environmental interest should make that interest known to the JCMU staff before their departure from the United States. To the extent possible, the JCMU staff will attempt to find an internship venue that matches the student's interests. If no preference is given, the Resident Director will make an assignment based on the student's academic and work background, Japanese language ability, and the availability of internships.
ESJ internships are generally two weeks long and conclude with the preparation of a field report analyzing social and cultural dimensions of Japanese environmental issues. The internships will be available beginning the Monday following the end of the Keystone course and run until the end of the summer session classes - usually the first week in August. Students are supervised on-site by the organization hosting the internship. Students are expected to contribute in a significant way to the organization providing the internship. This may involve office work, translation, conducting tours, or any other task which supports the goals of the organization. During the course of their work at the internship location, students will have the opportunity to use and improve their Japanese language abilities. They are expected to take extensive field notes that focus on social and cultural aspects of Japanese environmental thinking and issues. Students will be responsible for arranging credit at their home institutions, with the option of the RD offering a graded evaluation if requested.