Internship positive experience for KLI students

  • Published
  • By Aona Higa
  • Kadena Language Institute
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Six students from the Kadena Language Institute participated in a four-week internship at Kadena Air Base from Nov. 16 through Dec. 10.

Kadena Language Institute is a vocational school where students learn many different languages, including English, Chinese and Spanish, and study Okiniwan culture.

"The purpose of the internship is to give students the opportunity to experience the American community and communicate in English in a work environment," said Takako Fukuhara, 18th Wing Public Affairs chief of community relations.

During the internship, the students worked in offices around the base including the teen center, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, outdoor recreation center, Schilling Community Center, and Air Force and Navy public affairs offices.

One student, Megumi Yoshihama, tells about her experience during her internship on Kadena.

"I dreamed of answering the phone," Megumi said while laughing.

Megumi is a second year student at the Kadena Language Institute and has been working at the Schilling Community Center for her internship program.

Her job at the community center is mainly answering the phone and greeting customers at the front desk. "Customers speak so fast on the phone that I can't hear what they are saying," she said. "To tell the truth I'm scared of answering the phone."

Although answering the phone has been a challenge for Megumi, she said the employees at the community center have made the job enjoyable. "The atmosphere at the office is very lively. All of the employees are friendly and I enjoy this work," she said.

Also, welcoming customers is a pleasure for Megumi. Many customers come to the Schilling Community Center and Megumi really loves people. "Suddenly, one customer gave me a pen when I was sitting at the front desk and then just walked away with a smile. A different day she came again and she said 'How is the pen? It's doing well, isn't it?' We did a hi-five and then she left." Megumi said that she doesn't know why the customer gave her the pen, but it was just a funny thing. "The customers are funny," she said.

Megumi's happiest time on the job was one day when she called a customer about a tour. "The happiest thing all month was when I could speak well enough for the customer on the phone to understand me," she said.

Also, she has realized one thing from this internship. "A customer said to me 'Can you lend me a telephone?' But I mistook his meaning and thought that he had lost his cell phone. As a result, I kept him waiting. I really regret I misunderstood and I didn't make sure what he was saying then. So I have thought it is important to ask again when I can't understand," she said.

Before Megumi worked at the Schilling Community Center, she hadn't been interested in working, but after her internship she has thought working is enjoyable.

"When I go back to school, I will try harder to learn more English than before. I am trying to improve my vocabulary and speak the words that I learned. I want to be able to speak English and Japanese well and get a job where I can communicate with many people in the future," she said with a big smile.

This is the 11th year that KLI students participated in the internship program on Kadena Air Base since Mayor Tokujitsu Miyagi, Kadena Town mayor, began the KLI program in 1998.