HASAN TAJRIAN BINTE
September 2025 admission
from Bangladesh
Expanding Learning Opportunities Through Community Connections
Expanding Learning Opportunities Through Community Connections
| Student | HASAN TAJRIAN BINTE |
| Year | Second-year Student |
| Host Organization | Hiroshima City Worker Cooperative Support Center |
| Program | Domestic Internship |
| Period | August 2025 (Second-Year Student, Summer Break) |
Discovering New Perspectives Through Worker Cooperatives
HASAN TAJRIAN BINTE, an international student from Bangladesh at Eikei University of Hiroshima, participated in an internship at the Hiroshima City Worker Cooperative Support Center this summer as part of the University’s Experiential / Practical Programs. Over the course of approximately two weeks, she learned about worker cooperatives while interacting with people actively contributing to their local communities. Through this experience, she developed new interests and gained valuable insights into her future aspirations.
Putting Learning from Eikei into Practice in the Community
During the internship, Tajrian participated in a wide range of activities, including staff meetings, fieldwork, research, and presentations. She visited several worker cooperatives across Hiroshima Prefecture and deepened her understanding of the important roles these organizations play within local communities by speaking directly with the people involved in their operations.
Tajrian shared that the Design Thinking and Systems Thinking approaches she learned at Eikei University were particularly valuable throughout the experience. Rather than focusing solely on the organizations themselves, she was able to consider social issues from multiple perspectives, examining the relationships among workers, local residents, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
She also applied the research, teamwork, and presentation skills she had developed through Project-Based Learning (PBL). Working alongside fellow interns, she helped create a cooperative business proposal and presented it to stakeholders at the end of the program.
Two Weeks of Experiencing the Warmth of the Local Community
One of the most memorable aspects of the internship was the opportunity to connect with people at the organizations she visited.
In particular, Tajrian recalls a visit to a cooperative called Ohana, where she spent time talking with members while enjoying tea and snacks together. Learning about their activities in such a welcoming and friendly atmosphere helped her realize that worker cooperatives are more than just workplaces. They are also communities that foster meaningful human connections and mutual support.
She was also deeply impressed by the warm welcome she received at every cooperative she visited. Although each organization carried out different activities, she found a common commitment among their members: a genuine dedication to supporting their local communities and valuing the people around them.
Gaining Confidence by Overcoming Language Barriers
At the same time, communicating in Japanese was one of the biggest challenges she faced during the internship.
Because meetings and field activities were conducted primarily in Japanese, there were moments when she felt uncertain about fully understanding what was being discussed. However, with support from those around her and a determination to keep learning, she actively asked questions whenever she encountered something she did not understand.
This habit of asking questions and seeking deeper understanding was something she had cultivated at Eikei University of Hiroshima. As the internship progressed, she became increasingly comfortable participating in discussions and gained confidence in expressing her own ideas.
A New Direction for Future Research
The experience has also had a significant impact on Tajrian’s future goals.
While she had already been interested in social issues and community development, learning about worker cooperatives sparked a new academic interest. She is now considering exploring the development and challenges of cooperatives in Japan and Bangladesh as a potential topic for her Degree project.
The internship also helped her recognize her own personal growth.
“I used to think of myself as a shy person, but during this internship, I was able to ask questions proactively and engage with people I had just met. Stepping outside my comfort zone gave me confidence that I can contribute and make a difference.”
By connecting classroom learning with real-world practice in the community, this experience became a valuable opportunity for Tajrian to discover new interests and possibilities. As she continues her studies at Eikei University of Hiroshima, she hopes to further explore ways to address social challenges and contribute to society through her future research and career.
