I'm an Electronics Engineering student nearing the end of my university studies, and I've recently received an internship offer for a technical role in Japan. I'm seriously considering accepting it, mainly because I’m eager to gain hands-on experience in electronics—something I’ve struggled to find here in Canada, where most of my previous roles have involved only Excel and Word.
I don’t plan to relocate permanently to Japan, but I see this as an opportunity to develop technical skills and gain exposure to industry tools and software that I hope will be transferable and valued back in the Canadian job market.
That said, I have real concerns. I've read about the senpai-kohai hierarchy and stories of toxic workplace dynamics. As someone unfamiliar with these cultural nuances, I’m anxious about navigating them and—frankly—I worry about potential harassment or isolation, especially as a foreigner.
I know adapting to life and work in Japan won’t be easy, but I’m reaching out because I’m truly desperate for technical experience that I haven’t been able to access locally. If anyone has firsthand experience working in Japan as an engineer—or knows what it’s really like on the technical side—I’d really appreciate any honest advice or insights, especially regarding work culture, skill development, and whether the experience is ultimately worth it.
by Whisperer-101