<![CDATA[This study examines how language barriers and Japanese workplace expectations relate to the adaptation experiences of Indonesian student interns in Japanese hotels, as well as the support they receive in managing these difficulties. A descriptive qualitative approach involved 13 purposively selected informants with six months to two years of reported work experience. Data were collected through an online questionnaire combining open-ended and closed-ended questions. Narrative responses were analyzed through data condensation, thematic presentation, and conclusion drawing and verification. Closed-ended responses on coworker support, cultural adjustment, and the ability to meet workplace standards were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Informants described difficulties with honorific expressions, technical vocabulary, and regional speech, particularly when understanding instructions and responding to guests. Expectations of speed, accuracy, and punctuality added to these difficulties. Coworkers helped by demonstrating the meaning of instructions and assisting with guest complaints. Vocabulary notes, willingness to communicate, and requests for clarification supported learning. All 13 informants rated coworker support and cultural adjustment as sufficient, although some described uncomfortable workplace relationships. Twelve informants (92.3%) rated their ability to meet workplace standards as sufficient, while one (7.7%) rated it as insufficient. The findings show that language learning, adjustment to workplace expectations, and practical assistance were interrelated in the informants’ accounts of adaptation. Internship preparation therefore needs to combine operational Japanese, service etiquette, and supervised practice.]]>
