Internship FAQ
Is this internship only for students?
No. Although this internship is mainly directed at current students, recent graduates are also welcome to apply.
Is teaching experience or knowledge required to apply for this internship?
No. Although we greatly appreciate interns with teaching experience, it is not a requirement.
Is Japanese language proficiency required to apply for this internship?
No. Mikuni strives to be an English immersive environment, and while knowledge of the students’ first language can benefit the learning process, it is not required.
Will I have the opportunity to be immersed in Japanese culture and language during the internship?
Mikuni International College strives to create an English only environment and expects its interns to encourage students to speak English as much as possible both at the school and in the dorms. In addition, because the school is located in a remote area there may be limited opportunities to engage in Japanese outside of work during the week.
However, travel is allowed and interns who are interested in experiencing the culture or surrounding themselves with the Japanese language are encouraged to travel on the weekends or during the week given they meet certain requirements (see Can I travel during this internship? below).
Does this internship count towards my program requirements?
It depends. Different universities and programs differ in what kinds of internships count towards their requirements. It is best to verify with your department if you wish to count this internship towards your program requirements.
Does this internship count towards my teaching certificate?
It depends. Some programs require the presence of an on-site TESOL professional to act as a supervisor and mentor for the internship. Mikuni currently does not have such a person on-site. It is best to verify with your program if this internship satisfies your certification requirements.
A practicum should usually be completed before the internship in order to count it towards a certification. It is best to verify that you have completed any necessary requirements before interning if you wish to count it towards a certification.
What is the cost of this internship?
Fall and Winter: The only cost is travel expenses.
Spring: For non-TESOL interns, housing costs are determined on an individual needs basis.
Is this a paid internship?
No. Mikuni is a non-profit organization that is completely operated by volunteers, and none of the administrators, staff, interns, or teachers are paid.
Can I travel during this internship?
Absolutely! If an intern desires to travel on a weekend, they need only secure their own transportation.
If an intern would like to travel during the week, there are a few things they would need to do first.
- They should let their supervisor know in advance.
- Secure a substitute teacher for their class and create sub plans (complete with all necessary materials) for all days they will be absent from work.
*Universities have their own rules and restrictions regarding travel. If you are completing this internship as a student through another university (such as BYU, BYUI, etc), please follow their regulations while at Mikuni.
Is training required to participate in this internship?
Yes. Full participation in pre-semester and during semester training is required to teach at Mikuni International College for all interns regardless of previous teaching experience and is agreed upon prior to recruitment. We believe that no matter your background upon entering Mikuni, there is always somewhere higher to go, and we would like to help challenge our interns to get there.
What will my teaching responsibilities be?
Mikuni interns usually are assigned to teach one section of TOEFL preparation. Other teaching assignments, such as Mikuni’s Pronunciation class through choral instruction, may be given depending on the needs of the school and the skill set of the intern.
In addition to teaching, interns are expected to provide support to other classes as needed. Please visit this link for a full list of Mikuni intern expectations and commitments.