Internships Abroad in Japan

My experience so far has been absolutely eye-opening. I have built up the motivation to want to improve my Japanese skills and eventually move to Tokyo in the future. As of the experience, I am currently learning the process of supply chain as I am pursuing this internship. This is allowing me to identify my mistakes, then instantly correct them to improve the business model. The process has been very much a trial and error. It's pushing me to stay motivated and learn more and ultimately gain as much out of this working environment in Japan. Q: What is your advice to future travelers on this program? A: Have an open mind when coming to Tokyo. It's an extreme urban city; with that being said, there're endless things to do on a daily basis after work. Be open to learning some sort of language during your stay in Japan. Pros - Living in Japan for 1-2 months - Amazing work experience; infinite skills to learn - Experiencing new cultures and work environments What other participants should know - Metropolitan area may be very overwhelming - Extrememly crowded - Wishing for more Japanese speaking opportunities

This Internship was an amazing opportunity it allowed me to collaborate with different individuals and teams from all over the world whilst learning exceptional skills that will help me in my future career. This internship also allowed me to explore the different parts of Japan and understand the culture, environment, cuisine and society through multiple immersive opportunities . This programme was an exceptional experience that will stay with me for the future years to come and has allowed personal growth.

An incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience with amazing international networking opportunities. Taking part in the SEKAIA programme was genuinely one of the best career decisions I’ve made. If you want to gain real-world work experience in another country while having the reassurance of support throughout the journey, this is a fantastic opportunity. The entire SEKAIA team was incredibly supportive, and the whole experience gave me meaningful, hands-on experience, real responsibilities, and the opportunity to contribute to genuine projects. I came away with new skills, professional connections, international experience, and memories I’ll carry with me for a long time. I would highly recommend the programme to anyone looking to step outside their comfort zone and grow both professionally and personally

My internship experience so far has been one of the best experiences I've ever had. Something I've improved on is my networking skills, which SEKAIA had helped me with. The events that are set up are perfect to meet more people in Japan as well as make meaningful connections for the future. Something else I really appreciate is my internship placement. It was directly what I asked for, and it improved my skills in the field I am going into a great amount, and I have learned so much from it while only being here for such a small amount of time. The staff and workers, as some of the nicest people, are very willing to lend a hand as much as possible to ensure a great experience here. Overall I am glad I chose SEKAIA to give me this opportunity I wouldn't have otherwise. Q: What was your funniest moment? A: I would have to say the most unfamiliar thing I ate here is okonomiyaki. I had no idea it was even a dish until my coworker at my internship took me to go try it out. Safe to say I liked it a ton, but the whole thing was very novel to me. Pros - Networking and Connections - Helpful Team - Great Environment

Some experiences stay with you long after they come to an end, and my time in Bali was definitely one of them. I had the opportunity to spend five weeks in Bali, completing my internship at Made Tea in Ubud, and honestly, it turned out to be so much more than I expected. From the beginning, I felt welcomed and appreciated. Working with Made Tea gave me the opportunity to discover a different professional environment, develop my communication and digital marketing skills, work on creative projects, and gain valuable hands-on experience. I had the chance to create content, work on social media, communicate with potential business partners and contribute to real projects. It was rewarding to see that my ideas and work were genuinely valued. One of the highlights was definitely the people. I am especially grateful to my supervisor, Roni, for her kindness, trust, guidance and patience throughout my internship. Being surrounded by such welcoming people made the experience even more special. And then there was Bali itself! 🌺 Living and working in Ubud allowed me to discover a completely different culture, meet people from different backgrounds, experience the local lifestyle and create memories I will always cherish. Every day brought something new, whether it was discovering beautiful places, trying new food, learning about local traditions or simply enjoying the atmosphere. What I appreciated most was the balance between professional development and personal discovery. I didn’t just gain experience to add to my CV; I also became more independent, confident, adaptable and open-minded. If you are considering an internship abroad, I would genuinely encourage you to take the opportunity. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You might arrive expecting to gain professional experience, but leave with new skills, wonderful connections and memories that will stay with you forever. Thank you, Made Tea, and Bali, for five unforgettable weeks. A little piece of my heart will always remain in Indonesia. ❤️ Sometimes the best experiences are the ones you never fully expect.

Being here for 6 weeks has allowed me to see much of Tokyo and experience real culture. Also being here for so long allows for days to rest so you don't have to be out all day like you would be if you was here on holiday. SEKAIA events that have been held have allowed me to meet people that have made me enjoy my time here even more than I thought I would as I can experience new things with new people. Also being able to have an internship in Tokyo on my resume will be great for my career and set me apart from others when trying to get a job, and it provides some idea into a working environment in the career I chose. Q: What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it? A: The most nerve-racking moment would be at the very start and that is moving to the other side of the world and living alone for the first time, especially in a country where I don't speak the language or know my way around. The way I overcame this would be by just doing it as I knew this would be the experience of a life time for me and would help me figure out and learn new things about myself. I was scared but I have wanted to do this for a while and if I didn't do it then I knew I would regret it. Pros - New culture - New scenery and different experiences - Memories for a life time What other participants should know - Can be lonely at times if you don't meet anyone - Can be expensive as there are a lot of things to buy - Sometimes miss home and things that are familiar

Being here for 6 weeks has allowed me to see much of Tokyo and experience real culture. Also being here for so long allows for days to rest so you don't have to be out all day like you would be if you was here on holiday. SEKAIA events that have been held have allowed me to meet people that have made me enjoy my time here even more than I thought I would as I can experience new things with new people. Also being able to have an internship in Tokyo on my resume will be great for my career and set me apart from others when trying to get a job, and it provides some idea into a working environment in the career I chose. Q: What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it? A: The most nerve-racking moment would be at the very start and that is moving to the other side of the world and living alone for the first time, especially in a country where I don't speak the language or know my way around. The way I overcame this would be by just doing it as I knew this would be the experience of a life time for me and would help me figure out and learn new things about myself. I was scared but I have wanted to do this for a while and if I didn't do it then I knew I would regret it. Pros - New culture - New scenery and different experiences - Memories for a life time What other participants should know - Can be lonely at times if you don't meet anyone - Can be expensive as there are a lot of things to buy - Sometimes miss home and things that are familiar

I had an amazing experience the person in charge of my program Joshua was incredibly attentive, kind and patient. He also supported me a lot even before I arrived in Japan. I met amazing people in this internship who I consider friends and hope to keep in my life for a long time. My internships were also great. I met great people, I learned a lot and I did some great networking while I was in this internship. I definitely appreciate the experience I had. I am incredibly grateful as well. I cannot recommend enough. Q: What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate? A: The sticky bean. Did not like it. Pros - Experience - culture - Friends What other participants should know - You will build independence - New city new life - Start from 0

my experience was unique because I got to meet other interns and we connect it right away. The special sekaia events help to connect with other people. you immediately connect with the locals too and you learn the language kind of automatically. It is great for the people who want to do something different after graduating. It looks good on your résumé and it definitely helps you personally too. I would recommend it to everybody who is open for a new experience. Sekaia is a very good help to get you through the internship. What was your funniest moment? my funniest moment that I had was with another intern who is now a friend of mine. We were waiting for the bus and when it took too long, we started walking and then all of a sudden the bus drives past us. Pros - you learn a lot of new things - Building your portfolio - Getting out of your comfort zone What other participants should know - you should be open to new things - Don’t be scared - You should enjoy your time

I recently completed a five-week Business Development internship in Tokyo, and Intern Abroad HQ made the entire journey incredibly smooth from start to finish. Their pre-departure support, clear communication, and application coordination took all the stress out of planning a trip overseas. The team was always responsive to my logistical questions and ensured I was fully prepared before arriving in Japan. It was a brilliant way to gain commercial experience to complement my engineering studies. Highly recommend their platform for anyone looking to intern abroad without the usual stress that would accompany it! Stepping out of my comfort zone as a UK Chemical Engineering student to take on a 5-week business development internship in Tokyo was one of the most rewarding decisions of my university life. I wanted an experience that would challenge me commercially while immersing me in a completely new culture, and this program delivered on every front. I was placed with an amazing host organization, where I was trusted with real responsibility from day one. My role focused on building financial ROI models and conducting client outreach. One of the most unique and valuable challenges was navigating the workplace language barrier where only my boss spoke English, meaning that whenever he was out of the office, I had to communicate with my Japanese colleagues using translation tools. To respect their time and keep workflows smooth, I learned to anticipate their follow-up questions and prepare translated troubleshooting trees in advance. It taught me a massive amount about adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and proactive problem-solving. A huge part of why this placement ran so smoothly was the local coordination. A special shoutout to the Tokyo coordinators, whose support with logistics and settling into Tokyo life was second to none. Knowing there was a dedicated, responsive local team backing me up made navigating a massive metropolis like Tokyo feel effortless rather than overwhelming. What made this trip truly iconic was how much I was able to pack into my time outside of work. Because the placement logistics were so well-organized, I was even able to maintain my competitive swimming and gym training schedule at the near by Tokyo Aquatic Centre. On weekends and after work, I explored everything from independent attractions in Tokyo and relaxing to traveling across Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, and even summiting Mount Fuji! I can't talk about Japan without talking about the people. The Japanese reputation of being the nicest people in the world is no overstatement. I had dropped my AirPods half way up Mt. Fuji and a local had arranged for them to be shipped back to my accommodation in Tokyo before I had even noticed they were missing! I would recommend future interns embrace the communication barrier. Don't be afraid if your host company isn't 100% English-speaking. Over-prepare your questions, be patient, and show initiative, your colleagues will hugely respect the effort. Say yes to everything outside of 9-to-5. Plan your weekends early. Japan's rail network makes it incredibly easy to go from a Friday afternoon at the office in Tokyo to climbing Mount Fuji or exploring temples in Kyoto by Saturday morning. If you are on the fence about taking the leap to intern abroad in Japan, do it. You will walk away with sharp commercial skills, lifelong memories, and the confidence that you can thrive anywhere in the world.

My experience in Japan was very memorable. I was able to meet people from all over world and exchange a connection like no other. I was able to learn how to be a financial analyst and benefit from Claude AI intelligence. Studying abroad with the Peaceworks KK help me gain independence and self cconfidence.

Personally, the Information Technology internship in Japan provided me with the confidence to ask more questions during employment and ask for support. I enjoyed chatting with other interns, making plans to travel across the country, and meeting with fellow coworkers asking how life was in Japan. The pre-departure support that I received from my Program Manager was very helpful as there were very clear instructions on writing up cover letter and resume for the Japan internship; this was very reassuring.

Karen (my Program Manager at Intern Abroad HQ) was amazing and supported me throughout this entire process. My favorite part was building relationships with many new students through my internship placement. I have made connections that I will never forget! It was great getting to know the kids and seeing their personalities come out as I spent more time with them and it was really rewarding when they started getting more comfortable around me and wanted me to join in their games and activities. The internship experience has taught me to be more patient, flexible, and comfortable stepping outside my comfort zone. I am now more confident working with people from different backgrounds and adapting to unfamiliar situations. The skills that I developed in the Youth Development & Education internship in Japan will help me in my future career, especially when working with patients from different backgrounds. I want to continue building on the skills I’ve gained, especially communication, patience, and working with people from different backgrounds. I also plan to continue working toward my goal of getting into medical school and becoming a doctor. I hope to use what I learned in Japan in my future work with patients and communities.

I loved the laid back office environment and the opportunities to gain real hands on experience with invoices, bookkeeping, and financial record management as an operational finance and accounting intern. I gained useful experience that helped prepare me for future roles!

My Erasmus+ traineeship in Japan was an experience that changed the way I see both my professional and personal development. During my time at Peace Works, I had the opportunity to work in an international environment, take part in creative projects, and observe how communication and collaboration works. One of the most meaningful aspects of the traineeship was the opportunity to work on photography and social media content. I could use my background in photography while also learning more about content creation, visual communication, and working with a team. Every project gave me the chance to try something new and become more confident in sharing my ideas. Living in Tokyo was an important part of the experience as well. Being surrounded by a completely different culture encouraged me to become more independent and adaptable. I met people from many different backgrounds and learned to communicate with people whose experiences and perspectives were different from my own. I am grateful for the people I met, the opportunities I was given, and the challenges I faced along the way. This traineeship not only gave me professional experience, but also helped me understand myself better and become more confident about the direction I want to take in the future.

My IT internship in Japan was an incredible experience that helped me grow both personally and professionally. What I enjoyed most was working alongside a welcoming team who made me feel part of the group from day one, and exploring Japanese culture, food and everyday life outside of work. Professionally, I gained real-world experience applying my data analysis skills, improved my communication and problem-solving abilities, and learned how to adapt to a different workplace culture. Personally, it made me more confident, independent and open-minded, and it has strengthened my goal of studying and working internationally in the future. The team at Intern Abroad HQ was very helpful and responsive throughout the planning process, answering all my questions clearly and quickly. Their guidance on preparation, accommodation and what to expect in Japan made me feel confident and well-prepared before I arrived. The accommodation was comfortable, clean and in a convenient location with easy access to public transport and local shops. It was a great base for settling into life in Japan, and I felt safe and at home throughout my stay. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to challenge themselves and gain valuable global experience.

I had the opportunity to work as an intern in Japan for three months through the Asia Internship Program, and the entire experience was amazing from the very beginning. I would like to sincerely thank Ted Ko for his support throughout the company search process, as well as Kate for her continuous help and support during my stay in Japan. Their guidance made the whole experience much smoother and more enjoyable. The experience and knowledge I gained during this internship will be extremely valuable for my future. It gave me the opportunity to experience a professional environment firsthand and gain a better understanding of the real-world workplace. This opportunity helped me grow not only professionally, but also personally. I also really appreciated not having to worry about arranging accommodation. AIP did a great job finding a comfortable place to stay, and living in a sharehouse was an experience in itself. I had the chance to meet many new people, make new friends, and share memorable experiences. Overall, I am very grateful for this opportunity and for everything I learned and experienced during my time in Japan. It was an unforgettable experience that I will carry with me into my future career and personal life.

Beyond Academy’s Tokyo Internship Program acts as a structured bridge between young professionals and Japan’s unique corporate culture. Combining guaranteed professional placements across roughly 18 industries—from tech startups to creative design and international business—the program packages real-world work experience with logistical scaffolding and community immersion. For students and early-career job seekers looking to test whether living and working in Japan is a viable long-term move, it serves as a low-friction entry point.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewSeptember 24, 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience, Jonathan! We’re so pleased that the Tokyo program provided you with a structured and supported introduction to Japan’s unique working culture. Our goal is to help young professionals gain meaningful international experience while also giving them the opportunity to explore whether living and working abroad could be the right long-term path. We really appreciate your thoughtful feedback and loved having you on the program!

The overall experience was great getting to live in a different country for a month and experience a new culture was amazing! The IT internship in Japan give me the chance to gain valuable experience interning with a host organization and working with AI and websites.

Honestly probably one of my favourite summers so far - even despite having a job! I remember reading reviews, wondering if the reviews were legit, if I'd find a company that was a good fit for me, and if it was even worth the amount of money if I wasn't going to be making any. It's true, you probably won't earn any money due to the traveler's visa, but I assure you it's 100% worth it. I think this experience is perfect for people trying to grow their CV. I didn't have much experience on mine before coming, but even despite that, I was given two companies to choose from! If you're nervous about the whole "be flexible with your choices" thing, I can understand that. I was the same. I was nervous that my choices wouldn't be interesting enough to warrant coming to Japan, but I've learnt so much through my company, and about work-life in general. I would do it all over again! Beyond Academy coordinators are super good at making sure you're settling in with your company and with the events that are set up for you. If you have any issues while you're in your chosen country, at no point are you stranded and alone. You will always have someone to talk to about changing something at work, and if it absolutely necessary, they will reach out for you. Most events are covered by BA while you're there, and the ones that aren't are usually spontaneous lunches or shopping. You get to go to all the must-go places, like in Japan we went to see Fuji, teamlabs and several other tourist places you'd have to wait ages to get a ticket for. You can even request events! Given that its within the time frame and budget, BA will try their hardest to get it done! As for other interns, I've met people i never would have met without doing this experience, and even some of my flat mates who aren't part of the program will be life-long friends when I go back. There is at minimum, one event per week and most weeks have two or more, so you can socialize as much and as little as you want! However I highly recommend going to all the events you can as they often run longer than planned as we have so much fun :D I'm honestly so sad my two months are ending, as I will miss all the people I've met here, the great food and great experiences! This program is perfect for people trying to breach the working world, make some memories and practice japanese! You get a lot of support, a lot of events set up for you and compared to other programs, it is a lot more cost-effective - especially if you opt for having accommodation included. Seriously, take the leap of faith, you won't regret it!

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewSeptember 24, 2026

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and honest review, Lara! We know that choosing an international internship can feel like a huge leap, so we’re thrilled that your two months in Tokyo became an experience you’ll be talking about for years to come. It’s wonderful to hear that you found an internship with such a lovely team, gained valuable professional experience, and grew in both your confidence and understanding of work-life balance. We’re also so happy that the accommodation, community events, and friendships you made helped you feel supported and gave you the confidence to explore even more of Japan. Our team is always here to help interns navigate any challenges and make the most of their time abroad, so your kind words about the Tokyo coordinators mean so much to us. Olivia, Mizu, Sarah, Natalia, Sidney, and Anika will all be so happy to hear your feedback! We absolutely loved having you on the program and hope you can return to Japan again soon.