Updated Memorandum of Understanding with JICA Dominican Republic Office for Overseas Internship! Feb.25,2026
In 2025, the School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation renewed the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the overseas internship program with the JICA Dominican Republic Office.
Since 2022, the school has been implementing overseas internship programs in collaboration with JICA overseas offices.
The agreement with the Dominican Republic Office was signed in 2023, following the program launched with the Paraguay Office in 2022, making it the second “JICA × ISI” internship program.
To date, six students with a strong interest in international cooperation and JICA’s activities have participated, each gaining invaluable experience through hands-on practice in the field.
This February, two more students will depart for the Dominican Republic to participate in the internship.
Moving forward, the School of ISI will continue to strengthen its partnership with the Dominican Republic Office, aiming to further enhance and develop the program while providing students with practical learning opportunities.
【Student Voices】
“During the interviews with Japanese immigrants as part of this internship, I had the opportunity to hear directly from those who had experienced migration themselves. I was profoundly impressed by their resilience and perseverance in surviving harsh conditions. Through this experience, I developed not only listening skills but also the ability to pay attention to the emotions behind their words, enhancing my capacity for dialogue. Over the course of these six weeks, I learned firsthand the importance of human connections and communication in life. The invaluable encounters with people who warmly welcomed me gave me insight into diverse life paths and the courage to move forward toward a life without regrets.”
(TABARA Nodoka, ISI 4th grade, Internship February-April 2024)
“During my internship, I was deeply moved by the history of Japanese immigrants and their strong commitment to preserving culture that I encountered within the Japanese community in the Dominican Republic. Through this experience, I came across the concept of ‘inclusion’ as an approach to social issues, which gave me a new perspective different from that in Japan. This was an invaluable insight for me, as I aim to tackle child poverty by leveraging the power of local communities. In the future, I hope to build on what I learned during this internship and work on creating safe spaces for children through social businesses that harness the strength of community.”
(SASAMORI Hikaru, ISI 3rd grade, Internship February-April 2025)
“This summer, I spent what I can truly call ‘the most enjoyable summer vacation of my life’ in the Dominican Republic. Through encounters with many people and places, my perspective broadened, and I faced myself seriously, working harder than I had since my entrance exam days. Completing the one-and-a-half-month program gave me tremendous confidence. One of the most memorable experiences was the Bon Odori festival. Experiencing Japanese culture in a distant land made me realize that I had been looking far away while neglecting what was close to me. I was also inspired by the JICA staff who conveyed the beauty of Japan in foreign languages, and I strongly felt that I want to become someone who can speak about Japan in my own words. As a first step toward that goal, I now hope to travel around Japan to experience Bon Odori festivals across the country!”
(SUZUKI Ayuri, ISI 2nd grade, Internship August-September 2025)
Chief Representative Sakaguchi, JICA Dominican Republic Office
Dean Araya, The School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation