Internship : Global Studies
At TCU, students can experience a short-term practical training at NGOs, churches, and other organizations working to solve social problems in Japan. Through exposure to these sites, students will develop the ability to deeply analyze problems and at the same time develop empathy to be close to people in pain and hardship.
This course is a project-based learning program that allows students to explore and deepen their own learning through direct contact with issues related to cross-cultural and global themes. It is designed to provide students with an internship at a organization in Japan where they can explore a theme of interest to them. The main purpose of the internship is for students to learn what it means to "Stand in the Gap" as a Christian in a practical way by engaging in a series of learning activities from planning, practicing, and reflecting on the exploratory learning process on their own initiative. This internship is mainly for Global Studies majors and minors, but other majors are also welcome.
Internship at Shirahama Rescue Network
One of the internship organization TCU has connections with is the Shirahama Rescue Network, an organization dedicated to saving lives, preventing suicides, and supporting individuals in achieving independence.
Voice from Student
Through my internship, I gained a deeper understanding of how community-based organizations contribute to suicide prevention. I observed that many individuals in Japan struggle with loneliness, family disconnection, and social pressure. SRN addresses these issues by creating spaces for connection, such as family programs, work opportunities, and shared daily activities.
One key insight is that suicide prevention is not only about crisis intervention, but also about preventing isolation through consistent human connection. Programs like Nokonoko Hiroba and Machinaka Kitchen show that building relationships and providing a sense of belonging can help individuals regain confidence and purpose.
I also learned that reintegration is a gradual process. By engaging individuals in work, community life, and social interaction, SRN helps them rebuild their lives step by step. Furthermore, their support extends beyond religion, as many participants are not Christians but still benefit from the community environment.
Overall, this experience showed me that community, connection, and inclusion are essential elements in effective suicide prevention.
Internship at Zoe Japan
ZOE Japan's goal is to reach every person with the gospel and save every child.
Voice from Student
My research topic for this internship was human trafficking, specifically child trafficking. I chose this topic for a few reasons. First, fighting human trafficking is something that has been on my mind for several years. Second, over my two years in Japan, I have realized that many Japanese people think human trafficking is something that happens in other countries, but not in Japan. I wanted, and still want, to help raise awareness about this issue in some way. I learned more about labor trafficking and how it may change as new programs are introduced and laws are enacted in Japan. Overall, deepening my understanding of the subject and learning about new aspects of it was a really valuable experience.