I participated in an internship at HIS Auckland branch this spring and I was able to learn about the skills required in society. What I experienced during the internship are computer input work and writing materials for customers. I also handed out office cards to nearby shops and went to banks and post offices. As well as work experience, I devised the ideal New Zealand tour as an internship assignment and took a one-day free ticket on a tour bus to explore the city. What I was able to learn from this experience for two weeks is the need for communication skills, behavioral skills, and a positive attitude.

The importance of communication skills is that you need communicate brightly with your company and clients to work smoothly and to enjoy your work. I was nervous at first and didn’t get into the harmony of the workplace. As a result, I couldn’t even realize the joy of my job and just did the job. However, by gradually starting to talk to people at work and getting to know another internship student, I was able to have a good time to work, ask questions about travel agencies, and give advice on how to lead my future college life. I could listen to non-work stories. I also felt the need for communication skills in terms of work. The more opportunities I talked with the people at the branch, I got experienced new tasks. Another ability I felt necessary in society is the positive attitude. I realized that it is important to work positively and to listen to any small things that do not know.

In order to be active in a global society, it is essential to communicate with people from all over the world. It is said that Japanese people tend to be considered “serious and shy people”, but I feel that people overseas have more respect for their opinions and have a more sociable personality. For this reason, communication skills are essential, and I feel that it is important to be proactive in acting without being weak on anything. I would like students who are thinking of studying abroad to value these two things, and I believe that those are the abilities that should be acquired in their future university life.

 

(Updated: April 17, 2020)