What is IAESTE?

The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) offers opportunities for science and engineering undergraduates to gain valuable work experience in an international environment. They send students out abroad and help them improve their skills and expand their connections while immersing them in the culture and lifestyle of another country.

http://blog.yasulab.jp/2010/05/iaeste.html

Founded in 1948 right after the World War II, a man named Mr. James Newby had the idea of exchanging science and engineering students between countries for work experience, as a way to help strengthen social relations between nations. 70 years later, IAESTE is still going strong and is needed as much today as it was in 1948.  In many countries, IAESTE is run by students themselves, offering more development opportunities fit to compete in a global-scale.

Japanese Universities in IAESTE

Why Should You Join IAESTE?

IAESTE offers the opportunity for students to exchange brilliant ideas and rich cultures all the while gaining technical experience to further their reach in their own academic field. In IAESTE Japan, they welcome interns from abroad and assist them with their stay whether they are here for a short-term or long-term stay. They also engage in various activities that promote cultural exchange between local students and interns from abroad. They showcase different places and sights to see in Tokyo so interns can fully enjoy their stay.

What’s good about IAESTE is that wherever you are in  the world, you can be sure that there is a group of similar-minded people who are ready to welcome you and help you out in your stay.

My Experience at IAESTE Japan

When I first joined IAESTE, I joined as a Japanese university student. We were planning for 3 different summer programs: Takao trip, Yokohama Trip, and Kawagoe Trip. The Takao trip was a hike to Mt. Takao, the nearest mountain from Central Tokyo. The Yokohama trip was to a beer factory and a visit to the Nissin Cup Noodle museum and a stroll along Chinatown. The Kawagoe trip was a visit to glimpse old Edo-period Tokyo, visiting a hundred year-old soy sauce factory, going through traditional snacks streets, and visiting a museum where giant festival floats are displayed. In this program all of the interns that are currently in Tokyo are invited to join the Japanese student members of IAESTE for the one-day trip.

A group of IAESTE students and interns looking at a design of Katagami from the expert's phone.

Other projects also included a full-day forum on learning about Shamisen(traditional Japanese stringed instrument ), Inden (lacquered deerhide), and Katagami (paper stencil). We learned about these materials from the experts themselves, and had time to brainstorm and present our ideas on how to promote and preserve these traditions.

Making chopstick rests from pieces of glass during the Kawagoe summer program.

There are other smaller gatherings that are held to welcome interns to Japan throughout the year. There is also a Facebook page to connect with other IAESTE members in other countries.

If you’re an international student looking to study abroad and join circles, check out if your country has an IAESTE group and join if you’re interested. That way, when you come to Japan, you can easily connect with other university students here and also meet similar interns who are from various places around the world.

For further inquiries:

Operating Hours: 10:00 – 17:00（Except for: Weekends・National Holidays・End of Year, Start of Year・Summer vacation・Holidays depending on organization schedule）
03-6906-8346

Contact through mail form:
https://iaeste.or.jp/contact/email-form/

IAESTE JAPAN Office
〒170-0005 東京都豊島区南大塚1-31-17 マイスターSY301