UNAIR NEWS – A student from Universitas Airlangga’s Japanese Language and Literature Program at the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) has been selected to take part in an internship program in Japan. This year, Edward Natanael Salmun Daud—known as Edi—secured the opportunity through PT Japan Indonesia Program Akademik (JIPA). Since June, he has been working at the Royal Marine Palace Hotel in Okinawa, an internship that will continue until May 2026.
Edi explained that his main motivation was to experience firsthand what it is like to both live and work in Japan. He believes the opportunity will provide him with valuable preparation, particularly in adapting to Japan’s rigorous work culture.
“On my very first day, I was assigned to work immediately without any training. It was really tough at the start. The seniors here are fast and meticulous, but over time I learned to adjust,” he said.
Experiences and challenges
Edi was placed in the seisou or housekeeping division during his internship. He admitted that adapting to the fast pace of work was difficult, but he was grateful that the workplace had little sense of hierarchy. The presence of fellow Indonesian interns also helped him avoid loneliness and homesickness.
One of his biggest challenges was the language barrier. Edi initially lacked confidence in applying since he did not hold a Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) certificate. Nevertheless, he applied with determination and passed the selection. To improve his vocabulary, he immersed himself in reading Japanese texts, watching dramas, and listening to music.
“Lately I’ve also been reading Japanese news and articles. That’s where I’ve picked up a lot of new words and expressions, especially work-related terms that were unfamiliar to me,” he said.
Beyond language, Edi also learned the importance of financial discipline and professionalism while living abroad. For him, working in Japan requires not only technical competence but also mental resilience. “Internships are not about how skilled you are, but about how resilient you are. Mental strength is crucial,” he stressed.
Family support
Despite his busy schedule, Edi said he always looks for ways to stay motivated. He often shares stories with fellow Indonesian students interning in Japan and makes regular calls to his parents for encouragement. “Sometimes my parents remind me, ‘Be grateful, Ed. Just being there is already a blessing.’ That always lifts my spirit. If I’m still feeling drained, I usually go for a walk or a bike ride,” he added.
From this experience, Edi realized that the organizational skills he gained at UNAIR have been especially helpful, particularly in communication and teamwork. He believes non-academic experiences play a vital role when stepping into a professional environment.
Edi hopes more UNAIR students will seize opportunities to intern in Japan. In his view, the keys are language skills, professionalism, and the courage to take risks. “If you’re serious about interning or joining a student exchange, academics alone aren’t enough. Attitude matters too. Good grades without the right attitude mean nothing,” he concluded.
Author: Fania Tiara Berliana M
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
