Hello! I’m Nakajima, an intern at Good Job Magazine.
A month has passed since I took part in the internship program at Singapore’s Good Job Creations (GJC), and I’m just settling in here to work and life in general. So, I want to reflect on my experience in Singapore for the internship program at GJC.
My Reflections After Participating In The Internship
- Difference in Speed
When I was given a marketing task and had to prepare a presentation from scratch, I felt overwhelmed by the fast pace of the working world. I needed to develop the content and make the presentation clear and understandable as quickly as possible without compromising quality.
I also recognised the importance of speed when reporting, using concise sentences and straightforward methods to communicate effectively.
Working quickly is about my efficiency and respecting my team members’ time during reporting and proposal-making. I realised that my actions impact the entire company, not just myself.
- Challenges to Managing Schedule
For interns unfamiliar with the workflow, managing a daily schedule is crucial. (I might find it more challenging because I was quite disorganised during my days as a student.)
Nowadays, I plan and write out my daily schedule as soon as I arrive at work. For instance, if my task is to “write an article for Good Job Magazine,” I break it down into smaller steps, such as structuring the sentences, brainstorming headlines, and developing the content.
I also strive to understand my own capabilities, work backward from my goal to outline a path to success, and break it down into manageable steps. Despite this careful planning, things rarely go as expected.
Therefore, I make daily improvements by reflecting on past experiences and incorporating those insights into my planning process.
- Learn the Reality of the Job
I entered the internship confidently, having studied various case studies in university classes. However, I quickly realised that working in a company vastly differs from my academic experiences.
Initially, I aimed to launch and advance a project of my creation. But when asked to “come up with a new project,” I was unsure where to begin, which left me frustrated and unable to move forward. I anticipated enjoying the internship but was overwhelmed with work and struggling to meet deadlines.
Despite my best efforts, I often needed help to keep up with my colleagues. This experience highlighted the challenges of the job and the gap between my expectations and reality, motivating me to strive even harder.
What I Learned from the Internship Abroad
- Differences between Japanese and foreigners
At GJC, where I currently work, we have a diverse team of employees from Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Although Japanese and foreign employees work the same hours, more foreign employees tend to finish their work and head home at the end of the day compared to their Japanese counterparts.
This observation led me to believe foreign employees clearly distinguish between work and private life. Taking adequate rest and balancing personal life with work can significantly improve efficiency.
- Unique Experiences Abroad
I have been working on marketing projects during my internship. Singapore, a multicultural nation with one-third of its population being foreigners and three distinct races among its citizens, requires a nuanced approach to marketing.
When conducting marketing activities, it is essential to consider racial characteristics, national character, and religion to identify the needs of different groups.
Compared to Japan, identifying needs in Singapore involves many more factors, making the process more time-consuming.
Having only been in Singapore for a month, I found it challenging to deeply understand the racial characteristics and national character to select the best fit for the numerous needs. The diverse perspectives and varied ways of thinking and feeling among the population make marketing here particularly complex.
Despite these challenges, this is a valuable experience that is difficult to find outside of Singapore. It has broadened my perspective, and I think it will benefit anyone considering working overseas in the future, as well as those planning to work in Japan.
- You Can Learn English & Chinese
During an overseas internship, you can gain valuable experience working in a company while learning English. However, here in Singapore, you have the unique opportunity to learn English and Chinese.
Given that most Singaporeans are of Chinese descent, most people are bilingual—speaking both Chinese and English. Chinese is prevalent in everyday life, from street signs to casual conversations. Even for simple interactions, people will likely respond in Chinese if you speak in Chinese.
Reflecting on my own experience, if a foreigner speaks to me in Japanese, I naturally respond in Japanese. This often sparks curiosity about why they speak Japanese, leading to a broader conversation.
Similarly, in Singapore, if you want to learn both English and Chinese, you can easily create a conducive learning environment by engaging with others in both languages.
- Changing Attitudes Towards Internships Abroad
Many people believe you need high English proficiency to participate in an internship abroad, right? I thought the same before embarking on my overseas internship. (Even in Japan, some companies use English as their common language, so I assumed that only English would be used in foreign companies.)
I was worried about whether I would succeed in an overseas internship due to my lack of confidence in English. However, my concerns vanished on my first day at Good Job Creations when I discovered that Japanese employees converse with each other in Japanese!
Having Japanese colleagues in the company means you can get help if you need help understanding something while communicating with foreigners. Anyone interested in “working overseas” can participate in an overseas internship.
While some English proficiency is necessary for an internship abroad, it would be a shame to give up solely because you don’t speak English fluently. Take the opportunity to challenge yourself and learn through the experience.
Benefits of Participating in an Overseas Internship
Participating in an internship abroad offers valuable experience in the workplace, everyday living arrangements, and meals. However, living abroad for an extended period can bring about certain concerns, such as safety and food quality. I, too, had these worries initially, but after living in Singapore for a month, I found that I had no issues or anxieties. In some ways, it even feels more convenient than Japan.
Currently, I’m staying at a hostel 2 kilometres from my office. Initially, I was concerned about commuting, assuming that public transportation overseas might need to be punctual.
To be safe, I would wait an hour before work at the bus stop or station, even though my commute was just a 10-minute bus ride. However, Singapore’s buses and MRT (trains) are remarkably punctual. With frequent services, the waiting time feels shorter than in Japan, making commuting more convenient. Now, I no longer worry about being late and can arrive precisely when needed.
Singapore’s food also caters well to Japanese tastes, so everything I’ve eaten has been delicious. After a day of interning, enjoying a tasty meal helps alleviate some fatigue. The prices are also quite affordable.
Regarding public safety, a common concern, Singapore is incredibly safe. I’ve made late-night trips to convenience stores without issues, feeling as secure as I would in Japan. However, it’s still important to remember that you are in a foreign country.
Moreover, Singapore offers many free tourist spots to enjoy on holidays, making achieving a good work-life balance easy.
Summary
Before my internship, I understood the significant gap between student life and working life, but I didn’t realise how vast it was. This experience has been invaluable in preparing me for the professional world.
Although I haven’t interned in Japan, I believe that an overseas internship offers far more diverse experiences. The challenges of work are universal, but the working environment reflects the unique characteristics of each country or region, influencing work methods and thinking styles.
In Singapore, you can learn English and Chinese and engage in marketing with a broad perspective, considering racial characteristics, national character, and religion. Doing an internship abroad is more manageable than I imagined. With interest and motivation, it’s entirely achievable.
As Japan continues to globalise, international work experience will become increasingly important. I hope to continue sharing the benefits of overseas internships with everyone.
