Internship
As part of Clemson's Language and International Business program, students are required to work 140 hours at an internship. The purpose of this being to give students the opportunity to apply what they've learned in the classroom to a work environment. On this page, a synopsis of my internship can be found as well as a more in-depth report written in Japanese.
Between February 3rd and March 29th 2024, I worked in Hiroshima, Japan at the guesthouse Akicafe Inn. I discovered Akicafe Inn through the Worldpackers, a program where travelers can work in exchange for accommodations, meals and other benefits from their hosts. In my case, I was provided a bed in 1 of the guesthouses' 3 dormitories and allowed to use it's facilities freely. In exchange, I worked from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM as a housekeeper and from 4:00 to 10:00 PM as a receptionist. As a housekeeper I cleaned the dormitories' beds and various facilities. As a receptionist, I handled check-ins, bookings, accounting as well as customer inquiries and concerns in both Japanese and English.
While I worked at Akicafe Inn, I was able to gain practical experience with the Japanese language in a work setting. Whether that be by coordinating tasks with coworkers or checking in and providing guidance to guests in Japanese. Additionally, I learned the intricacies of the Japan's hospitality industry. Intricacies such as booking management, payment methods, guest assistance, and housekeeping practices.
As a result of my time at Akicafe Inn, I developed a strong attention to detail and proactive nature towards assisting guests and coworkers. I also gained the ability to work well under pressure.
