International Internship Provides Donaghey Scholar Chance to Gain Valuable Skills, Explore Japanese Heritage

One University of Arkansas at Little Rock student had an unforgettable summer by completing an international internship that allowed her to explore half of her heritage.

Tristyn Perrin, a senior applied communication major from Little Rock, spent two months this summer interning for Compass, a start-up tour guide and travel company, in Tokyo.

“They have tour guides for visitors to Japan, but their whole goal is to provide a comfortable experience for foreigners to see Japan in a local setting,” Perrin said.

The Donaghey Scholars Honors Program member chose to complete an internship in Japan because she is half-Japanese, and the trip allowed her to visit Japan for the first time and reconnect with her grandparents.

“My mother is from Japan, so I wanted the opportunity to spend a good amount of time in Japan to learn more about my culture,” Perrin said. “I figured there was no better way to do this than to work in Japan. I got to see my grandparents. I met them previously when I was 5 so it has been a long time since I saw them.”

Perrin lamented that there was a language barrier as she does not speak Japanese and her grandparents speak little English. However, the family reunion allowed Perrin to experience an important Japanese tradition. Seijin-Shiki is a coming-of-age ceremony held in January to celebrate young people turning 20. It’s the day when the highest number of people in the country wear a kimono.

“When you turn 20 in Japan, there is a coming-of-age ceremony in January,” Perrin said. “While it wasn’t January, I dressed up in the ceremonial kimono and had my picture taken. That was an important moment I got to share with my grandparents because it is important in Japanese culture.”

At Compass, Perrin learned important skills by working as a social media intern. She helped manage the company’s social media accounts and blog, wrote and edited articles, drew illustrations for the company’s newsletter, and helped evaluate potential tour guides.

“I definitely think that my internship in Japan helped me learn a lot about task management,” Perrin said. “It showed me how a strong work ethic is important in everything you do. I also learned how to be adaptable since going to intern all the way in Tokyo, Japan, was a major change for me. I think that is a valuable lesson that I can apply anywhere.”