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Q: What initially attracted you to apply for this internship at our company?
The main reason I applied for this internship is to gain an understanding of the work culture and what it's like to live in Japan. I wanted to leave the UK for the summer, and I thought this internship would provide a valuable opportunity to learn and experience these aspects, rather than just engaging in sightseeing and other tourist activities.
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Q: How did this internship contribute to your professional development and career growth?
This internship provided me with a realistic workplace experience relevant to my field. Prior to this, I had primarily worked on projects within an academic setting and hadn't been exposed to the broader development process of products. The internship also gave me valuable insight into the medical field, which is one of my areas of interest. I'm particularly interested in pursuing a career in advanced prosthetics and implants, and this experience has helped me understand the industry better.
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Q: What specific skills or knowledge did you gain during your internship?
During my internship, I gained valuable skills in project management. Although I had worked on group projects at university, this was my first-time managing projects in a professional capacity. I also developed my documentation skills by creating detailed documentation for the software I worked on, which was a new experience for me, as most of my previous projects were solo efforts.
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Q: How would you describe the company culture and work environment for interns?
The culture is relaxed and social and the work environment is low pressure. It is very easy to ask for help or even just talk to others. There's a supportive atmosphere that encourages open communication and teamwork, making it a good place for learning and integrating into the team.
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Q: What were some of the most challenging aspects of your internship, and how did you overcome them?
One of my main challenges was communication, which I typically struggle with, but I found it easier here than expected. A significant technical issue was dealing with unexpected hardware problems. My laptop struggled with the Japanese climate, leading to frequent crashes and file corruption that set back my progress. Fortunately, UV-blocking mesh and blinds were installed soon after, which helped mitigate the hardware issues.
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Q: In what ways did the internship meet or exceed your expectations?
The internship exceeded my expectations in several ways. The work culture was notably different from what I’ve experienced in the UK, and I found it to be much more relaxed and supportive. I was also pleasantly surprised by how fulfilling the project was. It’s been a while since I’ve felt such joy from a project, especially when I successfully got DICOM files to load on my VR and AR headsets.
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Q: Can you share an example of a project or task you worked on that had a significant impact on the company?
One significant project I worked on was porting a program to function in augmented reality. This involved redesigning the entire UI to work within a virtually tracked space. The updated program now provides users with enhanced control over the files they work with. I believe these modifications could be further developed and potentially offer substantial benefits to the medical field.
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Q: What advice would you give to someone considering applying for this internship?
Go for it, I am certain you won’t find such a positive experience like this. I was not sure at first and was double guessing my whole trip, but I can tell you it was worth it, and I am sad to leave.
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Q: What surprised you the most about working here as an intern?
I was pleasantly surprised by how casual and friendly the workplace was. It was great to see everyone bringing snacks to share and joking around, which made the environment feel welcoming and enjoyable.
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Q: How did the internship impact your understanding of the industry or field?
I didn't initially plan to focus on the medical side, as I was more interested in VR from a personal project perspective. However, working in a setting where my VR app could potentially be used in the medical field gave me valuable insights into both the industry and how such technologies can be applied.
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Q: Did you have a chance to participate in company events or social activities as an intern?
Yes, during my time at CFD, I was able to attend a BBQ and a networking event. I was very happy to do so, as I hadn’t attended such events before. The BBQ was fantastic! It was quite different from the BBQs back home, but I enjoyed it much more. The food was great, and the drinks were even better.
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Q: What do you think sets this internship apart from others in the industry?
It’s hard to say, as I don’t have much work experience outside of university, but from what I have experienced, this internship offers one of the best work environments. Beyond the social aspects, CFD has an impressive array of hardware and software, which makes the development workflow smooth and efficient.
