Vulcanus in Japan

Testimonials from a former participant

"Regarding my Vulcanus year, there was clearly a ‘before’ and an ‘after’, and I can firmly say it has been the most important and enriching experience in my life so far. In this programme, you receive a unique opportunity to improve yourself both personally and professionally by actually participating in the Japanese working environment and society, as well as learning or improving your Japanese language. Financially-speaking, Vulcanus is unbeatable. You will not find any other similar programme which allows everybody, even those with modest incomes, to have a totally-covered one year stay in Japan. Japan is now a part of me, and I know that, along with the friends for life that I made there, it is something I will never forget." José Enrique Serrano Comes (ES) trainee at TUV, VJ2011-12

"a) Japan is a place of endless fascination with a startlingly impressive culture. b) Vulcanus is an advantageous programme, full of experiences and surprises both in the personal and professional sphere. a+b = The perfect combination for an unforgettable year for a young researcher or student. Being a participant in this programme, I gained invaluable experiences, beautiful memories and very good friends. But more importantly, I was taught and learned a lot of things from kind and modest people in daily life and from world-leading researchers in NTT. The last year for me has been a big step forward in many aspects of my life and I am very thankful for that." Maria Anagnosti (GR) trainee at NTT BRL, VJ2011-12

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?

You must be:

• an EU citizen
• a student of engineering or science at an EU University, enrolled in at least the fourth year of studies, when applying to the Vulcanus programme*.
• able to provide a certificate of enrollment at the university valid until at least 3 months prior to the starting of the programme

* 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 1.900.000) 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.