Fukuoka Internship – 5 Stars!
I originally applied for an unpaid internship programme around the early days of the pandemic and was thrilled to have secured a 6-month placement in Tokyo, although my first choice had been Fukuoka. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and the closure of international borders, I was unable to take up the opportunity at that time. The team were incredibly understanding and kindly offered me lifetime credit, letting me know I could reach out again once things had settled. Three years later, I contacted them to explore the possibility of changing my destination to Taiwan. They were so helpful and looked into all the details for me. In the end, they informed me that Taiwan required a working visa, even for unpaid internships, so I decided to wait a bit longer. Another year passed, and finally the time felt right. The team acted very quickly and arranged an interview for me with a host company in Fukuoka, which I was delighted about as it had been my original preferred location. I was offered the placement and happily accepted. My original accommodation booking was scheduled for 12 October 2024 by Meiji. I wanted to arrive a day earlier and didn’t mind booking a hotel for the night (as at the time they could not fulfill my request), but Robert later informed me that I could move in on the 11th instead. It was perfect timing, and I was able to cancel my hotel booking for free straight away. I arrived in Fukuoka on 11 October 2024 and was met at the airport by a lovely member of the team. She kindly drove me to my accommodation and helped me when I had trouble opening the padlock to retrieve my keys. She contacted the staff immediately and made sure I could access my studio apartment safely. Her support on arrival made me feel really welcomed and taken care of. I had four days to settle in before beginning my internship, which was perfect. The placement was only about a 30-minute walk away, which allowed me to save quite a bit on transport costs. The accommodation itself was in a great location, just a 12-minute walk from Hakata Station, which made getting around very convenient. The six months went by so quickly. I genuinely enjoyed every aspect of the experience. The internship was meaningful and engaging, the accommodation was comfortable and well-situated, and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. I would like to give a special thanks to Robert at Meiji, who was outstanding throughout the whole process. He always responded to my questions very quickly, which gave me great peace of mind during the planning stage. I hold a UK passport and was able to extend my temporary visitor visa for another three months at the nearest government office, allowing me to stay for a total of 180 days. Robert even sent me the location of where to do this, which made the process really straightforward. I would recommend Meiji to anyone who is looking to have a great experience working in Japan. The level of support and service they provide is truly excellent. I am so grateful for everything the team did to help make this long-awaited internship a reality. It was an unforgettable experience and one I will always look back on fondly. 5/5!!
By E.