Series No. 9: Kim MinJung

From Gwangju, Republic of Korea

First year student at Waseda University, School of Culture, Media and Society

I applied to this internship for foreign students after learning about it through an email I received from my university. I chose Japan Airlines International because I would like to work for a Japanese company in the future, and I am particularly interested in the airline industry. I did not expect to be selected since I am still a first year student, so when I got word of being accepted for internship the day after my interview, I was so happy that I called my mother in Korea right away.

My work was primarily doing interpretation and providing information services at the lounge of Haneda airport's International Passenger Terminal where direct flights to and from Seoul arrive and depart. I also had many opportunities to learn about and experience other airline related work. I now have a very good understanding of what kind of procedures and operations are required before an aircraft arrives or departs an airport.

What surprised me most was the wonderful teamwork of the people with whom I worked. Even those in managerial positions, such as the vice president and manager, displayed proactive leadership in carrying out operations with their subordinates. I was under the impression that Japanese companies stressed the hierarchy based on such things as age and position, but things were completely different from my preconception at the actual worksite.

What I felt I was lacking in after my experience was English skills. I thought that being able to speak Japanese would be sufficient for working at a Japanese company, but I found after actually working for one that English skills were essential.

The people that I worked with gave me a lot of useful advice on what I should study and experience while I am still a student.

I am very happy that I was able to experience an internship as a first year student. This is because it gave me a clear idea of what I should do before I start my job-hunting activities when I am a third year student.

I would like to participate in internships at other companies in the future.