Community Partners

Students can intern at a wide variety of local organizations, from sushi restaurants, to publishing companies, to elementary schools! To make searching easier, we’ve classified the internship possibilities into three main types, childhood education, environmental organizations, and community revitalization. In addition, we always invite students who are interested in doing so to reach out to companies independently to see if they are interested in hosting one of our students. 

Keep scrolling to learn more about each category. 

Childhood Education

Volunteer with local elementary and middle schools, after school programs, and other organizations that provide programming for elementary and middle school aged children.

Typical Responsibilities
*These are examples of things that students have done in the past. Depending on the year and the organization the exact tasks might be different.

  • Interact with the kids including playing games, doing crafts, reading to students, playing card or board games, talking with students etc.
  • Assist with preparation for activities including preparing and cleaning up facilities.
  • Help out in English language classrooms including helping teacher set up class, help students with class activities, speak with students in English, etc.

Past Organizations

*These are examples of places students have worked in the past. Some options may not be available every year.

Kyonan Elementary School

Internship Partner: Kyonan Elementary School Description: Kyonan Elementary school is a local elementary school in Musashino. Level of Japanese: Lower-Intermediate...

Hanesawa Elementary School

Internship Partner: Hanesawa Elementary School Description: Hanesawa Elementary school is a local elementary school in Mitaka. Level of Japanese: Intermediate...

Glocal Mitaka

Internship Partner: Glocal Mitaka Description: Glocal Mitaka is a local organization aimed at connecting ICU students with the local community,...

Shiinomi Children’s House

Internship Partner: Shiinomi Children’s House Description: The Shiinomi Children’s House provides a community space for children to gather with other...

Community Revitalization

Volunteer with various organizations, stores, and groups that are involved in the local community. Students will have the opportunity to interact with local community members, learn about certain Japanese traditions and more. Past organizations vary greatly so typical responsibilities will also differ. 

Typical Responsibilities
*These are examples of things that students have done in the past. Depending on the year and the organization the exact tasks might be different.

  • Assist with setting up and cleaning up after events or performances. 
  • Provide English language support, including assisting guests or translating documents 
  • General office support and other tasks as instructed 

Past Organizations

*These are examples of places students have worked in the past. Some options may not be available every year.

Kappo Disco Daizo

Internship Partner: Kappo Disco Daizo Description: This is an Izakaya located close to Koenji Station. Level of Japanese: Intermediate/Advanced Typical...

Glocal Mitaka

Internship Partner: Glocal Mitaka Description: Glocal Mitaka is a local organization aimed at connecting ICU students with the local community,...

Elderly Support Network

Internship Partner: Elderly Support Network Description: The Elderly Support Network is an organization aimed at supporting the elderly, chronically ill,...

JR Chuo Community Design

Internship Partner: JR Chuo Community Design Description: The JR Chuo Line Community Design is an organization that plans events and...

Environmental Organizations

Volunteer with various environmentally focused organizations in the area including local parks and farms. You will be able to learn more about environmental conservation efforts in Japan, as well as the local farming community in Mitaka.

Typical Responsibilities
*These are examples of things that students have done in the past. Depending on the year and the organization the exact tasks might be different.

  • Clean parks, assist nature conservation works, design educational programs, research endangered species, etc. 
  • Assist in farm work, such as weeding, harvesting, washing, and packaging of vegetables.

Past Organizations

*These are examples of places students have worked in the past. Some options may not be available every year.

Glocal Farm

Internship Partner: Glocal Mitaka – Glocal Farm Description: The Glocal Farm is a small-scale community farm located on the ICU...

NPO Birth

Internship Partner: NPO Birth Description: This NPO’s mission is to protect and preserve parkland — prefectural, provincial, or local parks....

Japan Agriculture, Mitaka Branch

Internship Partner: Japan Agriculture, Mitaka Branch Description: Mitaka and neighborhood cities maintain urban agriculture that aims to provide local residents...

Block 1

Japanese Level

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Level of Formality

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Distance

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Index of Community Partners

Students’ Projects

Below are examples of final projects students have completed in previous semesters.

Please click the links to see student submissions.

Projects

Year Site Project
Online Planning and implementing a virtual Tour 「お家で遠足」
Online Planning and implementing a language exchange project 「三鷹言語交換プロジェクト」
English club at a secondary school Creating a handbook 「アメリカの若者的な表現」
Nursery School Creating a picture book 「メキシコ」
English club at a secondary school Creating a handbook 「英語のクラブ ゲームのハンドブック」
Free School Conducting a cooking workshop and presentation about the US
Elementary School and English club at a secondary school Creating a catalogue (Joint Project)
「English Teaching opportunities in Japan」
Sushi Restaurant Creating a Yelp page for the shop
Izakaya Creating a Yelp page for the shop

Research Papers

Year Site Project
Elementary School “Childcare Programs for Working Parents in Japan: Problems and Progress”
Musashino City Council Member 「日本の高齢者の生活」
Local Publishing Company “History of Poetry Publication in Japan”
Cram School “On the Variety of Juku in Japan”
Wagashi Shop “The Nature of Wagashi and Mental Health”
Mitaka Tourism Bureau “Tourism in Mitaka”
NPO Birth “Japan’s Park System: History and Present-Day Characteristics”
Cat Café (Cat shelter) “The Origin and Impact of the Cat Café: A Critical Analysis of the Role of Cat Cafes in Japanese Society”