Hi,
Hope you’re well! I’ve been directed here as the right subreddit for this question but please let me know if not and I’m really sorry if this is not the place for it.
I (20f) just wanted to seek some guidance, as I am considering to complete a 4-8 week internship programme in a lab in Yokohama. I am a current STEM university student in the UK, and I am considering this lab as the group’s work is related to my interests and I think it would be valuable.
I am just wondering as to how reasonable this may be, especially as I do not really know much Japanese (I would be willing to learn a bit before the trip of course, but it’s doubtful this would be anywhere close to fluent). As I am also South Asian and this would be quite a long distance from home in the UK (culturally discouraged for girls to travel this far alone), I’m also a bit worried regarding how safe this would be (especially considering the extra airport security we usually get, I’m not sure if I want a language barrier to add to any potential misunderstandings). I would also not really know anybody else there if I would need any help (depending on how I get along with other members of the lab), and I have to consider the typical dangers of existing as a woman. Being south Asian is also a bit stressful, considering how homogenous Japan is, I don’t know what to expect as the white UK travellers’ experiences on YouTube etc will perhaps not be the same as mine.
While the internship would be a great opportunity for me, and would be really fun and interesting, I was just wondering what your thoughts are and whether it’s probably better to just drop this offer and trust other things will come my way in the future. Or, if you have found that the language barrier can be worked around with translate apps/other methods?
Thanks so much x
(Edited for clarity)
by Honest-Lie-5991