A Step Up! Family Connections Observed in a Caregiving Workplace, Dreaming of Improving the Work Environment in Indonesia (Technical intern training)
Andry is currently in Japan as a technical intern trainee, learning about caregiving work with the dream of obtaining the national qualification of certified care worker. We asked Andry about what made her interested in Japan, her current job, and her aspirations for the future.
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| After graduating from university in Indonesia, Andry worked at a local dental clinic | |
| 2020 | She came to Japan as a technical intern trainee and conducted her training at the social welfare corporation, Yasuragi Welfare Association “Senjyu no Sato” |
During the time in Indonesia
Q: What sparked your interest in Japan?
I used to watch a lot of Japanese anime in Indonesia and became really fond of it. That’s when I thought “Japanese language is interesting” and “I want to be able to speak it,” and that’s how I started studying Japanese.
Q: What did you study at university in Indonesia?
I studied to be a dental assistant at university. Although I was interested in English before, I chose to study dental assistance as English can be learned outside of university.
Q: What made you decide to come to Japan?
After graduation, I worked at a dental clinic in Indonesia for about a year and a half. However, I thought “I want to learn about Japanese work ethic,” so I decided to come to Japan as a technical intern.
Q: How did your family react when you told them you were going to Japan?
They were very supportive. They sent me off happily, saying that I didn’t need to worry about money.
About current internship
Q: What are you learning in your current internship?
I am learning how to be a care assistant at a special elderly care home called “Senjyu no Sato” run by “Yasuragi Welfare Association, Social welfare corporation” in Okayama Prefecture. This internship involves supporting the residents with meals, bathing, and other care.
Q: Are the dental assistant knowledge and skills learned in Indonesia being utilized in your current intern training?
The experience working as a dental assistant in Indonesia is being utilized in the care assistance provided to residents, which includes oral care and suctioning.
Q: What is your daily schedule like when going to work?
There are both day and night shifts. For day shifts, practical training starts at 8 am and involves supporting residents with meals and oral care. There is also a break time for prayer. The day’s tasks are concluded by reporting to the night shift staff. Night shifts occur about 5 times a month, but I am confident in my physical endurance and do not find them difficult.
Q: What makes you happy during intern training?
Being thanked by the residents is the most rewarding experience. Hearing words such as “thank you” and “that helps a lot” makes me forget any fatigue and I feel that I made the right choice in choosing this job and I can truly appreciate it.
Q: When do you find intern training to be difficult?
Understanding the specialized terminology used in caregiving, particularly medical terms used by nurses, can be challenging. Although I have knowledge of illnesses, I may not always know the Japanese equivalent terms. When I do not understand something, I make sure to ask for clarification.
Q: Did you have any concerns when starting intern training in Japan?
I was worried about whether there would be a place to pray during intern training in Japan, but I was relieved to find out that my workplace had provided a space for trainees to pray. The space was clean and divided by curtains, ensuring privacy, which was good.
Q: How is your relationship with your boss and colleagues?
Everyone at the workplace is kind and considerate. Although they may occasionally give strict guidance, they were always reliable and supportive when there is a problem. There are also eight colleagues from Indonesia in the same workplace, and we encourage each other.
Q: What did you learn during your technical internship in Japan?
I learned the importance of following rules such as “do this work at this time” and preparing well before starting work.
About life in Japan
Q: Where are you currently living in Japan?
I am living in an apartment provided by the company where I am doing my internship.
Q: How do you spend your days off?
On my days off, I like to take walks, listen to music, and play my acoustic guitar, which is my hobby. Sometimes, I also go out with my Japanese colleagues from work.
Q: Do you ever feel homesick?
At first, I felt a little lonely, but now the other residents treat me like a real family member, so I don’t feel lonely anymore.
Q: What do you like and dislike about Japan?
I like that the city is clean and safe, but I don’t like the garbage separation system. When I lived in Indonesia, we didn’t have the habit of separating garbage.
About Japanese language
Q: Where did you learn Japanese?
I studied Japanese for about a year at a Japanese language school in Indonesia. However, when I came to Japan, I didn’t understand anything at all, and I was initially confused. The Indonesian teacher used only very simple words. Now, if I come across a new word at work, I write it down in my notebook and look it up when I get home. Also, about four times a month, the wife of the director teaches me Japanese. I was able to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N3, but my language skills are still not good enough. I plan to continue studying and aim for N2 in the future.
Q: Is Japanese difficult to learn?
It is very difficult. When I was at Japanese language school, I was surprised to learn that there were three types of characters: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Also, some of the elderly people at my workplace use dialects, so it’s hard to understand.
Q: What advice would you give to people who want to learn Japanese?
I am still learning myself, but if you continue to study Japanese, you will eventually understand it. It is important to study a little bit every day. Even if it’s just 30 minutes or 15 minutes a day, let’s study.
About the future
Q: What are your plans after completing your technical internship?
I can stay in Japan as a technical intern until December of this year, but I want to obtain the national certification of a care worker and continue working in Japan. The national examination for care workers has many specialized terms and is very difficult, but I am studying now.
Q: What is your dream for the future?
A: I want to take what I learned about working in Japan back to Indonesia and start a new job related to caregiving there. Currently, caregiving jobs in Indonesia have low salaries, so my dream is to improve that situation even a little bit.
From the interviewer
Andry expressed feeling that the residents they care for in the facility are like real family members. I was impressed by her studiousness, as she makes sure to learn at least one new word every day. I wish her the best of luck in pursuing her dream of starting a care business in Indonesia.
Andry Gusanti/The photo is provided by herselfA Step Up! Challenge Yourself and Discover Something New! (Technical intern training)
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If you want to know more, check here!
Glossary of Care Welfare Terminology for Foreigners｜Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Japanese Textbook for Caregiving｜Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
