If you are motivated, passionate, and like to see your efforts paying off, an NGO/NPO internship in Japan is a unique opportunity to make a breakthrough in the industry, while demonstrating that you take responsibilities as citizens of the world. An internship is an amazing tool to help you to foster your personal and professional skills. What happens if you top it off with an international experience? It then becomes a career-shaping experience and the starting point of your journey to self-discovery.
Working in the NGO sector can mean different things to different people. While some would rather go on the ground and support victims of, for example, natural disasters, others might want to contribute to the greater good by working in the very structure of the organization – say, in the finance department, marketing department, or human resources department. Either way, an NGO internship will allow you to apply your skills where they are needed most, while gaining hands-on experience.
Japan has its own share of challenges, especially when it comes to natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. But you could also work in education, environmental protection, elderly care, and so on. Japan is home to many local and international NGO/NPO fighting against problems that plagued the archipelago and the rest of the world. Whatever your preferred cause, you will positively influence the lives of many. Engaging with like-minded people, you will be involved in far-reaching social projects and carry out various impactful tasks. An internship in the Japanese NGO/NPO industry is a genuinely rewarding experience through which you will gain a deeper understanding of the working of the society, which will prepare you for the challenges of the 21st century.
To name a few, problem solving, teamwork, cultural awareness, and independence are skills you will take with you at the end of your internship. Also, this will teach you not to stop fighting for what you think is right as not everything will be solved by the time you leave Japan. To fully enjoy your experience, it is of the utmost importance that you acknowledge that some problems you will face might be insurmountable, but it does not mean that your work is worthless. Rather, the inspiration and pride one receives from working in the NGO/NPO sector will convince you to keep doing your best for what really matters to you and the society whether you decide to pursue your career in the non-profit or for-profit sector later on.
