11th KIFC Student Internship: Competition Operations Support Staff
A total of 23 students from universities and colleges affiliated with the internship program of the Kobe Cultural Foundation participated as operations support staff. They contributed to the Competition in a wide range of roles including contestant reception, audience guidance, announcements, and assisting with contestant outreach activities. For some students, connections with contestants have continued even after the conclusion of the Competition, making the program a meaningful platform for fostering new exchanges.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the local businesses that supported our student internship program through generous support.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to all the participating students, the universities and colleges that collaborated with us, and the local companies that made these activities possible.
<Partner Institutions>
Elisabeth University of Music / Osaka College of Music / Professional College of Arts and Tourism / Kobe University / Kobe Gakuin University / Kobe City University of Foreign Studies / Nagoya University of the Arts / Mukogawa Woman’ s University
<Internship Sponsors>
Kobe Bunka Mother Port Club / UCC Japan Co., Ltd. / Tashima Co., Ltd. / Kobe City Waterworks Bureau / TOYO NUT CO., LTD. / Hayakoma Unyu Co., Ltd. / Goshoku Co., Ltd.
Comments from Internship Participants
It was an invaluable experience to be involved from the preparation stages of the Competition and to witness the contestants’ journey from their arrival in Kobe through to the completion of the event. One memorable moment during my internship was delivering messages of support to contestants from overseas; seeing how delighted they were left a strong impression on me. Watching their reactions made me realize that every contestant carries their own story, and it helped me feel a much closer connection to the Competition and to classical music as a whole.
4th-year Student, Professional College of Arts and Tourism
Being involved in the Competition from preparation to the final rounds gave me a real sense of accomplishment as I worked with many people to bring the stage to life. Through explaining tasks to student staff and taking on leadership roles, I learnt the importance of communicating with an awareness of others’ perspectives and of maintaining smooth coordination within the team. It was also valuable to support contestants as they faced the pressure and put forth their best efforts. I am confident that the skills I gained—seeing the bigger picture and responding flexibly—will benefit me in the future.
4th-year Student, Professional College of Arts and Tourism
Being involved in the Competition from start to finish was a truly valuable experience. Although I had previously taken part in international competitions as a performer, working on the operations side for the first time gave me a new perspective. I was inspired by the contestants’ sincerity, and the days spent collaborating with a diverse team—thinking about how to help first-time visitors to Kobe perform at their best—became a real treasure for me. This opportunity allowed me to learn about the connection between music and society from multiple angles.
Master’s Program, 1st Year, Graduate School of Kobe University
Thanks to the contestants’ friendly manner, I was able to appreciate their personal charm and became even more interested in the flute itself. Because many interactions were in English, I also felt motivated to further improve my language skills. Throughout the Competition, I saw people from diverse backgrounds such as staff from the Foundation, corporate partners, and fellow interns, supporting one another to make the event better. It reminded me that a competition is ultimately shaped by the people involved, and it strengthened my desire to contribute to its continuation in the future.
Master’s Program, 2nd Year, Graduate School of Kobe University
I was impressed that every contestant put their heart into the competition while always showing respect for others. Their kindness, especially the repeated words of thanks I received from many of them, left a strong impression on me. Working with other student staff was also a new and rewarding experience; we became more like teammates than classmates. The frustration of not being able to respond quickly in English has now become my motivation to study harder for studying abroad. Although I was nervous as the backstage announcer, completing the role gave me confidence and taught me how to stay calm under pressure.
3rd-year Student, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies
During the internship, I worked as backstage announcer, reception staff, interpreter for the judges and outreach participants. The most challenging part was interpreting. I could understand what the participants were saying, but when translating their words, I often struggled to express their feelings accurately. In the end, I managed to convey the main points, but I felt sorry that I had to simplify some of their thoughts. However, this was an invaluable experience for me. I want to use this frustration as motivation to improve my interpreting skills and do better in similar situations in the future.
3rd-year Student, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies
I was truly glad to have taken part in this internship. Not only was I able to be involved in an international competition, but I also had memorable encounters with several contestants. On the final day of my shift at the practice room reception, one contestant came up to me after finishing their practice and said, “Thank you.” I was genuinely moved by that moment. Another contestant even refrained from eating before rehearsal out of concern for indigestion, which left a strong impression on me as well. Through this experience, I feel that my world has expanded, and I gained many valuable lessons.
3rd-year Student, Nagoya University of the Arts
