International Intern student 
Candace Slaughter 

For the last three months I have had the opportunity to work in Suzuki Kan’s office and participate in the filming of his Internet news program. This experience has been very interesting. I have learned, not only how to operate a video camera, but also how to communicate in a variety of ways and got a better understanding of how current global events are perceived. This was a new experience for me, and it was an experience that I will never forget. 
When I came to Japan, I had only had a year and a half of Japanese, so communicating in Japanese has been a bit of a problem; however, by working with the staff I have been able to increase my communication skills. In the beginning, the main form of communication was non-verbal. The other staff and I would point to things or do charades so that we could understand each other. We also did a follow-by-example approach, where you mimic what the other person is doing when given a task. As the months went on, my verbal skills increased and I was able to talk to them more easily, but we still revert to non-verbal communication especially when video taping the program. Communication is essential to any work place, so it was vital that we communicated in anyway possible. 
By participating in the program taping, I was able to listen to many interesting guests. The guests ranged from NGO leaders to politicians, each with their own opinions on the current events. It was fascinating to hear what they thought about topics such as the war with Iraq, the environment, and education. Many brought visuals and publications that helped illustrate their ideas. These people seemed passionate about what they stand for; something that is become increasingly rare during a time where many have lost touch with politics and current events. I highly recommend that people hear other’s perspectives than just those of the majority party because it will give you a broader idea of what the public thinks about the current events. Suzukan TV does a wonderful job at portraying another side of the issue. 
This was my first time working on a weekly Internet program so I had no idea what to expect. When I entered the office for the first time and saw all of the equipment, I knew that Suzuki-sensei was dedicated to running an informative program for his constituents. I recommend watching this program if you curious about hearing the Minshuto’s (Democratic Party of Japan) take on current events. It is definitely well planned and thorough.

↑ＴＯＰ