Team Interview
Intern - Will
Please tell us your name, the responsibilities you had while at TOKI, and the nature of your work.
Hello, my name is Will, and I worked with TOKI as a Pipeline Operator and English content creator for their travel database. I was responsible for communicating with customer inquiries, creating quotations, generating content to be added to TOKI's travel database for use in itinerary creation, crafting itineraries, assisting with English translation, guiding new interns, and attempting to aid other company members with their tasks.
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Why did you choose to apply to TOKI?
Initially, I applied to a program that searched for an internship in Japan, and TOKI was one of the first to be recommended to me. I really enjoyed creative writing, and due to TOKI needing English speakers to assist with expressing the most beautiful places in Japan into words, I thought it was a perfect fit. It also allowed me to gain some expert insights into which locations I'd like to visit in Japan myself as an added bonus!
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Did you experience any cultural differences when you came to Japan?
The main cultural difference in Japan, which appears as soon as you get off the plane, has to be the signs. In most busy areas, signs are fortunately also written in English, but in some cases, they do not have an English translation beside them, thus causing some confusion with where you're going. I would recommend at least learning Hiragana and Katakana alphabets to read the simplified signs. But once you know where you are going, you get used to it.
Luckily, in Japan, everyone is very kind, polite, and patient in teaching their cultural practices. It is only natural to repay that by being kind, thankful, and patient yourself to learn the differences while you visit and or stay in Japan!
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What did you accomplish during your internship?
During my internship, I was able to attend Art Week Tokyo as a volunteer, allowing myself to travel across Tokyo, attending various prestigious museums of art and venues. I also learned various skills in relation to data collection, customer interaction, customer relations, leading and working in teams, and I managed to gain a lot of confidence while within a professional work environment.
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What are your impressions of the TOKI staff?
The TOKI staff are very kind and understanding. Since the first day I arrived at the office until the end, they have always been offering their help and support whenever I needed it, both in work and outside of it, teaching me about Japan and sharing their own fascinating stories. It was a pleasure to work with them, and I hope that when I eventually do visit Japan again, I get to visit them and say hello!
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If that is an area in which you'd like to get your foot in the door, then TOKI is a perfect place to start and to stay.
Did you find that your background was useful at TOKI?
As a university student of History and International Relations I found that my background was rather useful. Having an understanding, at the time, of basic Japanese history and other topics helped me with my creative writing to describe various locations for their database and to provide suggestions to the customer on what to visit during their stay. In addition, my study of International Relations helped me with communicating with a large range of clientele from all over the world.
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What is your most memorable experience from your internship?
The most memorable experience was the first day of Art Week Tokyo. I was not fully aware of the scale of the event, and it was only my second week being in Japan for the first time. Navigating the subway and Tokyo streets was an exciting experience; even more so was arriving at the venue. I met the team and was briefed on what we were to do.
As they led me through the venue, I was in awe of how beautiful it was: The Hotel Okura. I had never stayed in such a high-class place before, and it really did leave an unforgettable impression. The event only further added to that with many beautiful performances and the opening ceremony for Art Week as a whole.
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Was there anything you learned at the TOKI internship that you feel you couldn't have learned elsewhere?
I don't think I could have learned team working skills as well as I could in other places. With TOKI, everyone has to work closely with one another to make sure that trips are organized and that information is clearly communicated. In TOKI, it really facilitated learning those communication skills in a good working environment which I don't think many other places can do as well.
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What is your source of inspiration? Do you have any daily routines, habits, or hobbies that help you come up with new ideas and stimuli?
I find inspiration in traveling to beautiful scenic locations and or historical sites. Learning about their history and stories really motivates me to come up with new ideas. Simultaneously, it really refreshes the body and mind to go out walking and to explore!
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Finally, please share a message for those considering working at TOKI!
For those wondering if you should work for TOKI; you should absolutely consider joining the team. They are very kind, friendly, and understanding with how they teach new company members. They are very professional and proficient in what they do in the travel industry. If that is an area in which you'd like to get your foot in the door, then TOKI is a perfect place to start and to stay. If you're looking for a company to explore and experience work in Japan, TOKI is also perfect for that as they work with a variety of different businesses and artisans. You won't regret it!
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