More photos from this internship can be found here.
Support the work of an international NGO while gaining hands on experience in the fields of peace, sustainability, and international cultural exchange. This is a great opportunity for interns to further develop their language while contributing to the strengthening of global civil society. Interns will support Peace Boat’s activities from the main office in Tokyo.
Peace Boat is a Japan-based international non-governmental and non-profit organization that works to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development, and respect for the environment.
Peace Boat seeks to create awareness and action by effecting positive social and political change in the world. They do this through the organization of global educational programs, responsible travel, cooperative projects, and advocacy activities. These activities are carried out on a partnership basis with other civil society organizations and communities in Japan, Northeast Asia, and around the world.
Peace Boat carries out its main activities through a chartered passenger ship that travels the world on peace voyages. The ship creates a neutral, mobile space and enables people to engage across borders in dialogue and mutual cooperation at sea, and in the ports visited. Activities based in Japan and Northeast Asia are carried out from eight Peace Centers in Japan. Read more about Peace Boat on their website here.
Interns from all backgrounds are encourage to apply. Candidates should be interested in supporting all Peace Boat activities while gaining hands on NGO experience in the field of peace, sustainability, and international cultural exchange. Interns with specific interests may be able to add relevant projects to their normal workload. The internship is based out of Peace Boat’s main office in Tokyo and may include activities such as:
Past interns have supported initiatives such as: Hibakusha Project, “I Was Her Age” campaign, Global English/Spanish Training (GET) program, the “Open Ship” events, Global University, annual Peace Boat Voyages, Green Boat regional voyages, Benyoukai sessions, and the Eco-Ship.
Interns from all backgrounds are welcome, and previous coursework in international studies, political science, sustainability, development, environmental studies, Asian studies, Japanese, education, peace studies, and human rights is encouraged.
Relevant experience may come from professional or volunteer activities. Skills in peace education, conflict resolution, disarmament, and sustainable development are encouraged. Previous research or event planning experience is helpful.
All interns should be fluent in English and knowledge of Japanese is encouraged. Candidates with advanced Chinese, Korean, Spanish, or French language skills are also desired.
All interns should be comfortable using a computer and MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Skills in design and multimedia publishing are welcomed.
Interns arrange their own housing, with assistance and recommendations from a local contact. Interns have the option to stay in shared houses, apartments, or dormitories.
“In the broadest terms of accomplishments, I was able to develop gain insight into the inner-workings of an international NPO, create meaningful relationships and receive valuable feedback regarding my plans. Analyzing Peace Boat and discussing how the business made ends meet was quite interesting. They have done a good job trying to develop other ways for younger people to volunteer, study, and get involved. Networking was another accomplishment. Within Peace Boat, I was able to make strong connections and discuss future plans and potential collaborations. Another one of my major accomplishments was the development and implementation of the ‘International Culture Night’ (ICN) series. Through the experience, I was able to develop skills pertaining to the development of events, communication, budgeting, marketing, and facilitation. I had the opportunity to exercise my creative abilities through the planning and marketing components and I learned a lot about budgeting. Most importantly, I became comfortable facilitating an event.
-Roarke, Oregon State University
Read more about Roarke’s experience here.
“I typically work four days a week in the office, but my daily tasks are still extremely varied. I help proofread materials that have been translated into English, help prepare and execute events, and worked on research projects for different staff. One of my weekly assignments is to compile a large selection of weekly news in English. This weekly newsletter is really the only form of news that people receive while they are on the ship, so I spend a lot of time gathering a good selection of news from around the world. On Wednesdays I also help prepare for the weekly study session, including set-up, reception, and breakdown after the event. The hour-long presentations are on varying things, from Gaza to World Peace Day. One day a week, I work at the office which houses GET (the English teaching branch). Together with another intern, we host a special conversation hour for Japanese people learning English. We also get to practice our Japanese every other week in the GET office.
-Tania, University of Oregon
“Twice a week, I went to the Global English Teaching (GET) section of Peace Boat, where I did a lot of training to become a better English teacher, taught my own classes, and posted fliers for GET events outside the office. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I spent the entire day at Peace Boat’s main office, doing research on many projects, creating PowerPoints, making spreadsheets, and any other tasks that were requested. On Wednesdays, I also would work at the office, but I also helped prepare the weekly “Study Meeting, where Peace Boat would invite someone internal or external to come and talk about a project/event/petition/history etc. Besides advancing my Japanese language skills, understanding how to work for a non-profit, and how to manage my time, my biggest improvement was learning how to be a better English teacher. I learned many methods and teaching styles to help me from my advisor in order to become a better teacher.”
-Eric, University of Oregon
Summer: January 25
Winter: September 1
-Strong interested in learning about peace, sustainability, and international cultural exchange
-Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, French, or Korean language skills encouraged