This article is written by Ms. N., a university student from Japan who joined the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Headquarters as an intern in 2025. In this piece, she reflects on her motivation, key experiences, and what she learned during her internship.

1. Why I Applied for This Internship

I applied for this internship because I wanted to connect the struggles of farming families in my hometown with those in Africa.

I grew up in Fukushima Prefecture, located northeast of Tokyo, and is known as the “Kingdom of Fruits.” After the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident in 2011, Fukushima suffered immense damage. I saw firsthand how local people struggled to rebuild a sustainable agricultural system from this devastating blow.

Seeing my community strive to rebuild a sustainable agricultural system from such a devastating blow sparked my interest in two things: how my hometown would recover and how I could contribute to a broader mission of addressing food security and poverty, particularly in Africa. While my university studies provided a theoretical understanding of these social issues, they also reinforced my desire for direct, on-the-ground experience.

I have also long admired Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, a physician and bacteriologist from Fukushima who dedicated his life to saving countless lives around the world, including in Africa. He contributed to society through medicine, and I hope to do the same through a different approach: education in international cooperation.

This internship was a critical step for me, a chance to translate my past experiences, academic knowledge, and career aspirations into concrete action. It’s why I was so eager to apply.

Interns setting up the exhibition booth at the TICAD9 venue.

2. My Most Memorable Experiences During the Internship

The most memorable part of my internship was assisting with the entire TICAD9 booth process, from setting up to teardown. This hands-on experience deepened my understanding of SAA's work and realized the importance of human connection.

Learning and Interaction at Booth
To effectively explain SAA's work and African agriculture to visitors at the TICAD9 booth, I knew I needed to thoroughly understand the content myself. So, my first priority was gathering information. Over the three days I worked at the booth, I continually updated my knowledge so I could tailor my explanations to visitors' interests and questions.

The polo shirt I wore had pockets made of African fabric, which made me feel even more connected to Africa as I worked.

During breaks, I was fortunate to talk with SAA staff and foreign staff who came from Africa. I had many great conversations with them, discussing topics like the digitization of agriculture and regenerative farming. One person even recommended I try "injera," a traditional Ethiopian food. I would love to visit Ethiopia and try it someday.

Trying Ugandan Coffee Beans
At the SAA exhibition booth, there was a time when Ugandan coffee beans and cacao were on display. The SAA Uganda Country director encouraged me to try them. I took one coffee bean. Knowing about the agricultural efforts in Uganda and experiencing the kindness of the people there made it the most delicious coffee bean I had ever tasted. It wasn’t just coffee; it was a taste of their hard work and generosity.

3. The Lesson of "Taking the First Step"

SAA staff also shared their career experiences with me. The most important lesson I learned was "just take the first step." They explained that new opportunities and connections don't just appear, they are a result of putting yourself out there. This taught me not to be afraid of trying to pursue my goals.

Ms. N, an intern, speaking with SAA staff.

４. How I Will Use My Internship Experience in the Future

Through this internship, I learned the importance of human connection and the value of taking on challenges. What really stuck with me was when a staff member from Africa told me, "You can become a bridge connecting Japan and Africa." I want to use what I learned to value hands-on experience over just information I find online. I’ll walk alongside people to find real solutions to problems. Moving forward, I won’t be afraid to challenge myself, and I will continue to deepen my knowledge to become a true "bridge" that connects people across countries and regions.

Ms. N, an intern, pointing to the slogan on her SAA T-shirt