We suggest bringing about $1000 US worth of yen in cash when you first come. That should cover your expenses for the first month or so. Do not bring traveller’s cheques. You can use major credit cards, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express at most stores, but you may not be able to use the debit function to purchase goods. Depending on your financial institution, there may be a fee per credit card transaction. You will be able to use your bank card or credit card to withdraw money as explained in the In Hitachi section. However, Japan is a cash-based society so we recommend that you prepare an appropriate amount of cash for your stay. You can use ApplePay at most stores. Please contact your bank to ensure that you can use your card overseas. 

Unfortunately, sometimes host families are unavailable. In case we cannot provide a homestay, we will help you find a furnished apartment.
 

We encourage host families to accept interns for the full period of the internship. However, some families prefer shorter periods and in these cases, we will find another host family or families to host you for the remaining time. Some interns also prefer to have three one-month homestays so that they can live with various families and learn about the culture from many perspectives.

 We will provide you with detailed instructions to take the bus from Narita Airport to the closest bus stop to Ibaraki Christian University. From Haneda, you can take trains to Omika station or you can take a train to Tokyo station and then take a bus from there. We will arrange to pick you up at either Omika train station or the Shin-tanakochi bus stop. Interns not flying into Narita or Haneda should let us know for different instructions. Please schedule your flight to arrive at Narita or Haneda as early in the day as possible. If your flight arrives too late in the day, we may not be able to pick you up and will ask you to find a hotel near the airport and take the bus or train the following day.

The temperature changes according to season. It is very hot 35ºC (95ºF) and humid from July to September so light casual clothes are recommended. The spring and fall are pleasant around 15-20ºC (60 -70ºF) so a light jacket is sufficient. Although it rarely snows, the winter, December – March, is cold around 0ºC (32ºF) so a heavy down jacket or ski jacket, gloves and a hat are recommended. There is also a rainy season in June and July and a typhoon season primarily in September, so an umbrella and rainwear will also come in handy. Umbrellas are usually not strong enough to withstand typhoons, so purchasing a cheap one here might be the best option.
 

 In Japan, people always remove their shoes before entering houses, apartments and some schools as well as other places. Slip-on shoes and sandals are very convenient for these situations. Also, a pair of shoes, sneakers or running shoes that you wear only inside are recommended. You will need a pair of “inside shoes” for some elementary schools, kindergartens or gymnasiums during your internship. We also recommend bringing a set of nice clothes (khakis and a polo-shirt / skirt or pants and blouse) for formal ceremonies or occasions.

You will have access to Wi-Fi on campus; however, if you want to have access to the internet all the time, you might want to get a pocket Wi-Fi router or SIM card. Past interns have used eConnect and picked up their SIM cards at the post office at Narita Airport. You can find information at www.econnectjapan.com Electronic sim cards are also available to order online before you leave. There is lots of information about SIM and wifi options as well as great ways to enjoy Japan without spending a lot of money  here

Although it isn’t necessary, we recommend both. Because the various teaching methods and student learning styles are very important facets of English language teaching and learning, understanding them is beneficial.
 

Although things are beginning to change, Japan has a very different outlook than the west when it comes to things like body art. Tattoos are uncommon and many public facilities, hot springs and pools will not let you in if you have a visible tattoo. In the past, people have covered tattoos with Band-Aids, makeup, sports tape, or wrist bands and have had no problems. If you are unable to cover your tattoos, you could wear long-sleeve or full body swimwear at public pools, but you may not be able to enter the public baths or hot springs. Facial piercings are also uncommon here and depending on the situation, you may be asked to remove jewelry. Colored hair is becoming more common; however, in situations dealing with children or younger students, colored hair may have to be covered.
 

Unfortunately, you cannot. Just as your internship is unpaid, you cannot do any work for pay on a 90-day tourist visa. If you wish to participate in this internship while you are visiting Japan on a working holiday visa or another visa that enables you to do paid work, or if you have Japanese nationality, please understand that during the internship, you cannot work at a supplemental job. The internship program will require your full attention.
 

If we offer you an internship position and you accept, we will need your email address and a LINE ID. If you do not have the LINE app or a LINE account, please download the app and create an account. LINE is highly used in Japan and we will use it during the internship. Both email and LINE will be used to contact interns as a group for the necessary preparations. If you do not want to use your private email address, please create a new email account exclusively for this internship and be sure to check it daily.