Hello, I’m Ayaka, currently interning at the non-profit organization LOVE (Québec) in Montreal, Canada. So far, I have introduced LOVE, its office, and events, but this time, I would like to share what it’s like to work as an intern coordinator at LOVE. I hope this post will be helpful for those interested in working at an NPO, international employment, internships, or youth support activities.

A Week in the Life of a Program Coordinator

	AM	PM
Monday	Workshop at A High School	Administrative work, organizing notes, preparation for the next day
Tuesday	Administrative work, preparing lectures	Workshop at B Elementary School
Wednesday	Lecture by a McGill University professor	Administrative work, organizing notes, writing blog articles
Thursday	Workshops at C High School and D SchoolAfter school Activity at Office
Friday	Team Meeting	Preparing for next week, meeting with other coordinators

The program coordinator’s primary task during a week 

The coordinator’s primary task during a week is to visit elementary schools, high schools, group homes (similar to children’s care facilities in Japan), and community centers to deliver LOVE’s programs. Currently, I am involved in five different programs across four educational institutions.

In addition to facilitating the workshops on-site, we also conduct weekly pre-meeting sessions with fellow coordinators to thoroughly plan and prepare before heading to each institution.

—————*The Education System in Québec*—————

Elementary School: Ages 6–11 (equivalent to elementary school in Japan)

Secondary School: Ages 12–16 (a combined middle and high school system unique to Québec)

After graduating from secondary school, students can go on to CÉGEP, a post-secondary institution unique to Québec. CÉGEP offers a two-year university preparatory program or a three-year technical program that provides specialized training for entering the workforce.

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Friday Team Meetings

Every Friday morning, we have a two-hour team meeting. Since LOVE coordinators are out in the field every day, visiting both English and French-speaking institutions, Fridays are a rare and valuable opportunity for the whole team to come together.

During these meetings, we discuss topics such as:

・A reflection on the past week

・Sharing challenging situations, brainstorming improvements, and receiving feedback and advice from the team

・Planning for upcoming events and projects

These meetings are a great chance to learn from other teams’ experiences in the field and gain insights that I can apply to future youth support work in Japan.

Events and After-School Activities at the Office

Every Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, LOVE hosts after-school activities for youth at the office. Although much of my work takes place outside the office, I try to join these sessions whenever possible and enjoy art projects with the youth.

In addition to these weekly activities, LOVE regularly holds events at the office, such as holiday parties, workshops, and gatherings for program alumni. I participate in these as a staff member, learning about how events and workshops are designed and run.

There are also many off-site activities. For example, I help out at community events held at the high schools we visit as part of our programs. These events are a great opportunity to introduce LOVE to more youth and strengthen our connection with local communities.

Each event and activity gives me valuable opportunities to interact with young people and deepen relationships with the local schools—experiences that have become truly meaningful for me.

Attending a Workshop by a McGill University Professor

To deepen my understanding of youth support and LOVE’s activities, I participate in a biweekly discussion-based workshop led by a professor from McGill University who conducts research on LOVE. These workshops involve reading assigned materials in advance, discussing real-life experiences from the field, and exploring challenges related to youth support in Japan. This experience has been invaluable for gaining new knowledge and skills necessary for working with youth.

A Week Full of Learning

This blog post introduced my schedule from a recent week.

One key takeaway from running five different programs each week is the importance of adapting to the unique atmosphere and characteristics of each school and group. Even when delivering the same workshop, LOVE coordinators adjust their approach flexibly to suit each environment, and I learn so much from them every day.

Moving forward, I will continue to gain hands-on experience and develop the knowledge and skills needed to support youth in Japan.

That concludes a glimpse into my work as a LOVE coordinator and a week in my life!