Two students from the Applied Foreign Languages Study Program at Diponegoro University’s Vocational School, Ratu Meiaranti and Karena, had the opportunity to participate in a one-year international internship program at Hotel Arcana Izu, an auberge-style hotel located in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The program ran from May 2025 to May 2026.
The internship program at Hotel Arcana Izu is part of a collaboration between Diponegoro University and partner institutions in Japan to enhance students’ global competency. Through this experience, students developed cross-cultural communication skills, professional responsibility, and preparedness for work in an international environment.
During this international internship program, the two students were placed in the housekeeping and stewarding divisions, where they played a direct role in maintaining the cleanliness and comfort of hotel rooms, ensuring thoroughness, and ensuring professionalism in room service in the Japanese hospitality industry. One of their routine activities was handling irekomi, special guest requests that must be handled carefully and promptly. Through these activities, they learn to pay attention to detail, maintain quality service, and prioritize guest satisfaction, in accordance with the Japanese principle of omotenashi. In the stewardship training, students are trained to improve their speed, accuracy, and thoroughness in maintaining the cleanliness and tidiness of the kitchen area and tableware, in accordance with the high standards of the Japanese hospitality industry. This activity also provides a forum for students to hone and apply their Japanese language skills and understand the disciplined and efficient Japanese work culture.
This activity also demonstrates the commitment of the Diponegoro University Vocational School to producing superior, adaptable, and globally competitive graduates in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Photo: Ratu Meiaranti and Karena, students of the Applied Foreign Languages Study Program, Diponegoro University Vocational School, in front of the Arcana Izu Hotel, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.)