Vulcanus in Japan

A training programme for EU students

Testimonials from a former participant

"I am still processing everything that happened to me during the last year and I feel happy and grateful to be able to participate in this wonderful program. Not only did I learn to speak Japanese, more importantly I was able to obtain meaningful cross-cultural work experience. The amount of new things you will do and try, new places you will visit and how much you will grow as a person during this year is just incredible!" Grega Kešpret - University of Ljubljana - SI Vulcanus in Japan 2010/11 - trainee at Sanyo

"The Vulcanus programme was an opportunity of a lifetime! I have gained so much experience and knowledge in so many different areas of my life. The Japanese school was fantastic! The teaching methods they used helped my knowledge of Japanese grow quickly. The teachers were patient, kind and helpful with all of our difficulties. It also gave me time to get to know and form lasting friendships with the rest of the Vulcanus team. My internship with Mitsui Chemicals helped me further my knowledge in biochemistry tremendously. My colleagues were lovely! They taught me all they could and helped me with any day to day problems I ran into. The laboratory experience I gained will be forever useful in my future career path. Also, I got the opportunity to see so much of Japan and learn as much as I could about their culture and history. It helped me to learn the importance of giving everything in life your best shot and fighting on; a lesson I hope I will never forget." Thea Pisani - University of Malta - MT Vulcanus in Japan 2010/11 – trainee at Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

What is it?

Vulcanus in Japan started in 1997. The programme consists of industrial placements for EU students. It starts in September and ends in August of the following year in order to accommodate the academic year in EU Member States.

The students follow:

• a one-week seminar on Japan,
• a four-month intensive Japanese language course,
• and then an eight-month traineeship in a Japanese company.

Objectives

• To study the range of advanced technologies employed by a leading Japanese host company.
• To learn Japanese and to understand and appreciate Japanese culture with a view to an enriching one year experience abroad.
• To be well placed in your future career to interact with Japanese businesses and people.

Are you eligible?

At the time of application, you must be both:

• an EU citizen
• a student of engineering or science in at least the third year of a course at an EU University *.

In accordance with the regulations of their respective universities, the students will be either undergraduates or postgraduate students who are able to take a year out - as a recognised part of their course or as a year off - or postgraduates.

* Computer science, science engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical, electronics, biotechnology, electrical engineering, physics, telecommunication, nuclear engineering, civil engineering, metal materials, ceramics, production system,…

Who pays what

This programme is financed by the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation and the Japanese host company. The European students are awarded a grant (Yen 2.000.000) to cover the cost of travel to and from Japan and living expenses in Japan. There is no charge for the language course and seminar, and accommodation is provided free of charge during the course and seminar and the company traineeship.

Selection criteria

Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic record and the opinion of their tutors, their knowledge of written and spoken English, their motivation, their attitude to EU-Japan relations and their ability to adapt to a different culture.

This website is maintained by the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation. All rights reserved. Last update: 06-02-2012
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