The provision of “real English experiences” and our experience in attracting global talent

Q.Why did your company decide to take on interns? What did you aim to achieve?

Seifukan High School, operated by our company, Seifukan, enrolls around 110 students as of November 2024. As a support school for correspondence high schools, we adhere to the motto "Be Yourself and Live Authentically" and provide a place for students to embody both freedom and responsibility.

We have two purposes of inviting an overseas intern to Seifukan High School.

Firstly, to provide our students with a "real English experience." Our school welcomes students with diverse needs, including those who wish to study abroad or have already done so and wish to further improve their English skills. Many students are also preparing for university entrance exams and aim to obtain the Eiken (English proficiency certification in Japan). We believe that welcoming an intern will provide these students with valuable learning opportunities and stimulation.

The second purpose is to gain experience in accepting global talent. In Japan, the number of young people is declining, resulting in a job-seeker's market and making it increasingly difficult to acquire talent. On the other hand, there are many capable individuals overseas who wish to work in Japan. In fact, Seifukan High School has successfully recruited three highly competent overseas talents during 2024 and 2025. By accepting an overseas intern, we aim to gather knowledge and best practices regarding considerations and management, making this an excellent opportunity for us to prepare for future integration of international personnel.

Supporting students' English learning with enjoyment. The key to success lies in building a trusting relationship with the students.

Q.What kind of internship did you run? What difficulties did you face and how did you resolve them?

At the beginning of the tenure of Alina, an intern, with us, she focused on building trust and communication with students who were meeting her for the first time. Through activities such as playing board games and engaging in small group conversations, the number of students who felt comfortable speaking with her gradually increased.
Once this trust was established, Alina created opportunities for students to practice English conversation, organized online quiz competitions to help them learn about Ukraine and Europe, and even arranged treasure hunt games outside the school using English clues. These activities provided enjoyable avenues for students to learn English and experience different cultures.
During her final lesson before returning home, which coincided with the Halloween season, Alina conducted a memorable class where students participated in baking treats and learning about the origins and stories of Halloween, all while practicing their English. This experience left a lasting and impactful memory for the students.

I am convinced of the potential for utilizing overseas talent in the field of higher education.

Q.Comparing before and after the internship, what effects did it have on you, your employees, or your organization?

Not only did the host side have the opportunity to learn about English and different cultures, but the intern side also had the chance to recognize the unique aspects of the Japanese culture through the lens of another culture. It became evident that Japanese students tend to be more introverted compared with the international students and that it takes some time for them to become capable of smooth communication. On the other hand, once a close relationship is established, it has been observed that enjoyable interactions can take place between teachers and students without distinction between domestic and foreign backgrounds.
Through hosting this overseas internship, we have confirmed that while attentiveness and care toward overseas personnel are necessary until they acclimate to the culture and language, once they are on track, they can become a valuable asset who benefit the students.
We would like to express our gratitude to everyone involved in running the internship for providing us with such a valuable opportunity.