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Okinawans, Team Kadena gain insight through internship program

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Tara Williamson, 18th Wing Public Affairs photojournalist, reviews interview questions with Japanese intern Yuka Higa, a student at Nikkei College of Business on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2012. Higa participated in an internship and shadow program at Kadena to experience working in an English-speaking environment before going to a home-stay program in the United States in February. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Okinawans, Team Kadena gain insight through internship program

Natalia Hokama, a student with the Okinawa College of Information and Accounting, opens envelops of coupons that are sent daily to the Airman and Family Readiness Center on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 26, 2012. Hokama worked at the A&FRC for two weeks during an internship program that aims to provide Okinawan students with an opportunity to communicate in English, learn American culture and to experience American-style business. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Okinawans, Team Kadena gain insight through internship program

Okinawan intern Airi Kuda, a student at Nikkei College of Business, assists a student at the Nakiyoshi Youth Program Complex on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 26, 2012. Kuda and 24 other students worked at Kadena from Jan. 16-27 as part of the first internship and shadow program between Kadena, Nikkei College of Business and the Okinawa College of Information and Accounting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Okinawans, Team Kadena gain insight through internship program

Published Jan. 31, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- During the past two weeks, 25 students from Nikkei College of Business and Okinawa College of Information and Accounting participated in an internship and shadow program at Kadena to experience working in an English-speaking environment before they go to a home-stay program in Australia in February.

The intern students worked in locations around the base for four hours a day while still attending their normal classes. Nine different organizations participated in the program, including the Nakiyoshi Youth Program Complex, 18th Wing Public Affairs office, and the Shilling Community Center.

"The program aims at providing the students with an opportunity to communicate in English, learn American culture and to experience American-style business," said Keiko Toma, 18th Wing Public Affairs community relations specialist and program coordinator.

One intern, Natalia Hokama, from the Okinawa College of Information and Accounting, worked at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Hokama helped with customers, administration work and sorted through coupons to give to Airmen.

"At first it was hard to understand," said Hokama, "but it became easier because people were patient and understanding."

Both the students and the members of Team Kadena who were involved benefited during the two-week program. Throughout the program, both the students and their co-workers learned about working together and having patience, and the students gained not only language skills but also memories of their experiences at Kadena.

This was the first year that the 18th Wing has hosted an internship program from Nikkei College of Business and Okinawa College of Accounting and Information.

"After talking to the students and the individuals involved from Kadena, we were happy to see the program was a success," Toma said. "We hope to continue this program in the future."