Incredible Gap Year Program for All in Tokyo

As a LEX Intern, I was placed in a transnational, multilingual company that enabled me to meet and work with people from all over the world. This organization is so open to everyone; their languages, their traditions, their cultures and ways of life are always accepted. I loved being able to work with everyone of all ages to learn languages, share cultures and keep our minds open to the world. Throughout my yearlong experience I stayed with lots of loving Japanese host families, learned to speak Japanese, made many friends (whom I am still in contact with 2 years later), planned and attended tons of multilingual events, and ate tons of Japanese food.

I got to work closely with other interns from Thailand, Mexico, Korea, Singapore, Japan and other countries. This specific experience taught me a lot about communication, but most of all that there are really so many ways to connect with people from all cultures and backgrounds. This internship came with many challenges, but with so many supportive, understanding people around me it was empowering for me to take the challenges to heart and grow from them. My internship was amazing, and it changed my life, and I am so grateful to Lex for all of my wonderful memories.

My year with the LEX Institute helped me realize that diversity is not only within cultures, but it is also a word far greater than that. This program brings together people of different backgrounds, interests, language learners and lovers, and allows a space of growth and learning of all levels. My year in Japan was beyond unbelievable and to this day I cannot believe I was there surrounded by many wonderful people. I stayed with 3 long term families and many short-stay hosts. I was allowed to travel and explore on my own but guided every step of the way. Every day was new and challenging and with the help of staff, interns, and my families it became the time of my life, where I grew to be more independent and learned that my passion for people and stories was beyond what I believed. If looking for a gap year opportunity it is highly recommended.

The LEX Language Internship was one of the most memorable experience of my life. A decade later, I still tell stories from my time spent with this incredible organization. It's not just a travel program; they are actively dedicated to fostering human empathy across language, cultures, and generations.

Why LEX?
This internship provides a unique opportunity to be fully immersed in a place AND within a community of highly enthusiastic and nurturing people. Most LEX members have experienced at least one cultural exchange and know what it's like to be in your shoes. This is honestly one of the most significant ways that this program differs from any other travel program. Coworkers, friends, and host families are committed to supporting you in a cultural journey. LEX creates a secure sense of family through regular meetings locally and regionally where people openly share powerful stories of discovery through cultural exchange.

Office Life
When you get to the office you are always warmly greeted into a fun, playful, curious, and enthusiastic environment. The office is always buzzing with activity and I always loved picking up and helping out with the day-to-day shuffle. Even though there are also plenty of time for independent focused work, there are tons of opportunities to talk to visitors, participate in workshops, and meet with people face-to-face. I sometimes joked that my desk would get lonely.

Home Life
Becoming a member of a host family is a major part of this program. Having a sense of responsibility and belonging is very important when traveling abroad for an extended stay. I really valued the candid and casual moments of living with a host family. These were very close and supportive relationships that developed over the course of the program. I was lucky to have two host families during my year and both families are still in touch with me today.

Club Activities
During the program you will attend regular local club activities which is a great opportunity to meet people nearby and form friendships outside of the office and your host family. The meetings are always full of fun, games, music and lighthearted curiosity for language learning. It's a wonderful way to explore new languages, form relationships and have fun! The local club members sometimes feel like an extended family.

The year I spent in Tokyo was definitely the best year of my life. I wanted my gap year to be special, and I got MORE than I expected by interning in Japan with LEX. I felt safe, comfortable, and most of all, engaged the entire time I was there.

The best thing about the program was the many friends that I made. I went to Japan in 2012, but I still stay in contact with many of my LEX-Japan friends in 2019! Needless to say, interning in Japan opened so many doors for me. I had internship experience, lots of new friends, learned to read and speak Japanese, and traveled all over Japan and even to some neighboring countries! I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone interested in Japan, languages, and an overall wonderful experience abroad.

I landed in Tokyo the fall after graduating from college feeling both nervous and excited, not realizing that from the moment I stepped into the arrival hall and met my colleagues that I had become part of a huge family. LEX Language Project offers a unique opportunity for interns to meet people of all ages and from all walks of life with an office that was constantly abuzz with both local and international visitors. Members of the organization have a curiosity and warmth for the world and the people in it that is incredibly contagious, and has certainly given me a brighter and more optimistic outlook. Their nurturing and supportive approach to language acquisition and cultural exchange has made me more open, and helped me build the courage to make that first step in forging a connection. I loved my time with LEX and am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I've had to build lasting friendships with people not only from Japan, but also from all over the world.

I went to Japan for one year with LEX Language Project after I had graduated from college. I had planned to only be in Japan for the year before returning to the States, but I ended up loving the program and my life there so much that I applied for a full time staff position and stayed for an extra two years! During the LEX Internship you have the opportunity to live with a variety of host families. Each family was unique, but they were all incredibly supportive, and welcomed me as a true family member. Working at the LEX office in Tokyo was also a wonderful experience. My Japanese colleagues were supportive and excited to have me there. I worked with and become great friends with a team of international interns from Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, France and Thailand. Thanks to LEX's unique, multilingual mindset, I was able to not only gain fluency in Japanese, but also explore other languages, such as Spanish, Korean, and Mandarin Chinese! I am planning to go to graduate school this fall, and want to work at International Student Services at a university. I feel that my internship with LEX has made me more flexible, creative, and competent in cross-cultural situations. My compassion and empathy for those who go to live in a foreign country has grown, and I feel better prepared to serve international students in the future.