Tokyo skyline
Berkeley Global Internships

Global Internships: Tokyo, Japan

  • Summary

    Gain first-hand knowledge, connections, and international work experience through an academic internship in Tokyo, Japan. On this program, you will:

    • Undertake a professional internship in the field of your choice

    • Earn academic credit via UC Berkeley coursework

    • Live with other program participants in single studio accommodations in Ikebukuro, a commercial and entertainment district in Toshima, Tokyo, Japan

     

    Location Summary:

    With a population of over 13 million people, Tokyo is a world-leading metropolis and the center of Japanese business, government, and finance. The capital of Japan is a bustling cosmopolitan city, a major transportation hub, and a world economic and industrial center.

    The city boasts a large number of world-class institutions of higher education, the highest concentration of universities in Japan.

    An international business center, Tokyo is also home to 76 percent of the foreign-affiliated companies in Japan. The city also ranks top in the world in a number of Fortune Global 500 company headquarters.

    With all these advantages, Tokyo is an ideal venue for a challenging and rewarding internship program.


    Dates:

    • Tokyo: May 31 - July 25, 2024

    • Online Course: June 3 - August 9, 2024

    Dates are subject to change.


    Units: 6 units


    Language of Instruction: English


    Two Required Courses:

    • TBD: Historical Origins of Modern Japan

    • UGIS W158: Global Citizenship (3 units)

     

    Housing:

    • Students will live in fully-furnished studio apartment accommodations in Ikebukuro, a commercial centre of Tokyo that is accessible by several public transportation lines. 

    • Students will have access to a single ensuite room, with a microwave and mini-fridge.

     

    Eligibility:

    • Currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the last 12 months

    • At least one year of college coursework completed by the start of the program

    • 2.0 GPA or higher

    • At least 18 years old at the time of application

    • Not on academic probation or under censure for student misconduct at any point from application review to the end of your program

    Application:

    • Application opens December 1, 2023

    Space is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis

    • Deadline to apply is January 16, 2024

     

  • Courses

    Courses

    In addition to your internship, you will take an on-site local history course and an online internship course for a total of 6 Berkeley units.

     

    On-site Course

    Course: HISTORYN100G

    Title: Historical Origins of Modern Japan

    Dates: May 31 - July 25, 2024

    Instructor: Dr. Michael Burtscher

    Units: 3 units

    Prerequisites: None

     

    Online Course

    Option 1:

    Course: Undergraduate & Interdisciplinary Studies W158 

    Title: Global Citizenship

    Dates: June 3 - August 9, 2024

    Instructor: Jeroen Dewulf, Ph.D.

    Units: 3 units

    Prerequisites: None

    With this course, you will be able to add a new dimension to your internship experience: a reflection on global citizenship. You will be challenged to use your internship experience as an opportunity to critically explore cultural differences, modes of conduct and values. A series of audio-visual lectures, practical exercises, writing assignments, projects, and online group discussions will stimulate you to leave the comfort zone of what you are familiar with and to explore alternative views on right and wrong, good and bad and the beautiful and the ugly. The course will also encourage you to interact with locals and to engage with the city/region/country where you live during your internship. It is our hope that this course will help to increase your consciousness about the challenges of being a global citizen.

    Consult with your college/major advisor to see which degree requirements these courses may fulfill.

     

     

    Registration

    Global Internships staff will enroll you in courses after your acceptance to the program. Please make sure there are no active blocks on your student account that may impact your course enrollment.

     

    Instructors 

    Michael Burtscher, Ph.D.

    HISTORYN100G: Historical Origins of Modern Japan

    Michael Burtscher is a lecturer at several Tokyo universities including Waseda University, Sophia University, Rikkyo University, and Gakushuin University. He earned a B.A. in History from the University of Washington, a Master of Arts in Modern History from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and a Ph.D. in History from Harvard University.

     

    Jeroen Dewulf, Ph.D.

    UGIS W158: Global Citizenship

    Email: jdewulf@berkeley.edu

    Dr. Jeroen Dewulf is an Associate Professor in the Department of German at the University of California Berkeley where he teaches courses in German Studies and Dutch Studies. He is also Queen Beatrix chair as well as Director of the Institute of European Studies and Director of Dutch Studies.

    Born in Ostend, Belgium, Dr. Dewulf graduated in Dutch and German Philology at the University of Ghent. He holds a Master's degree from the University of Porto and a Ph.D. from the University of Bern. His areas of specialization are European Studies, particularly related to (multi)cultural identity in Belgium and the Netherlands, and Post-Colonial Studies, in particular, Dutch colonial history and literature.

     

  • Internship

    Internship

     

    The Global Internships team works one-on-one with you to find an internship that matches your career goals, interests, and experience level. Internships in Tokyo are available in a wide variety of fields and internship placement is guaranteed.

    Opportunities can vary year-to-year by such factors as market trends, time of year, and the economy. Common industry sectors for internships include, but are not limited to:

    Accounting - must speak Japanese
    Advertising
    Creative Arts - must speak Japanese
    Business Development
    Sports Management
    Entrepreneurship
    Event Planning
    Fashion
    Finance - must speak Japanese
    Graphic Design
    Hospitality & Tourism
    Human Resources
    Information Technology
    Journalism
    Logistics
    Marketing
    Non-profit
    Public Relations
    Publishing
    Phamaceutical & Healthcare
    Real Estate
    Video Production

    Please note: Internships in an English language work environment are available in addition to those in Japanese. Japanese language skills will offer a larger variety of placement options.

     

  • Costs

    Costs

    Tuition and Program Fee

    The fees to participate in this program are broken down into 1) tuition and 2) program fees, which are applied to your student billing account as follows:

    2024 Fees

    UC Students

    Visiting Students

    Tuition (6 units)$2,514$3,570
    Program Fee$6,419$6,419
    Total Cost$8,933$9,989

    Fees are subject to change. All non-Berkeley students must pay an additional Document Management Fee of $68.

    Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses

    In addition to the fees outlined above, Berkeley Study Abroad has estimated amounts for out-of-pocket expenses. These amounts are used to calculate financial aid packages for eligible students. Actual expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle and spending habits.

    2024 Estimated Expenses

    Amount

    International Airfare and Transportation$2,177
    Additional Meals$3,441
    Books and course materials$318
    Personal Expenses (i.e. phone, passport, visas, etc.)$3,650
    Total Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses$9,586

    Financial Aid

    Financial aid is available for UC Berkeley students who are enrolled in at least 6 units during the summer.

    ​​Financial aid estimates for 2024 Berkeley Global Internships programs are now available in the Summer Financial Aid Estimator in your Cal Central account.

    Please FIRST obtain your estimate in the Summer Aid Estimator, then write to travelaid@berkeley.edu if you have any questions about the estimate you receive. Your estimate will include a Berkeley Study Abroad Scholarship if you qualify for one based on financial need.

    How to locate the Estimator:

    1) Log into Cal Central
    2) Navigate to the My Finances Tab, and find the "Financial Resources" card
    3) Scroll to the bottom of the Financial Resources card and click on Summer Sessions
    4) From the Summer Sessions menu, click on Summer Cost and Aid Estimator

    Make sure to adjust the number of units in the estimator if your program offers a choice of course selection. If your program only offers one combination or one course for 6 total units units, you do not need to update the units in the estimator.​

    All other students should contact the financial aid office at their home institution for more information.

    Explanation of Fees

    Tuition is based on a per unit cost:

    • The UC undergraduate student rate is $419 per unit
    • The visiting student rate for all non-UC participants is $595 per unit

    The program fee includes the following items:

    • Housing in shared, apartment-style accommodations
    • Academic and career advising to support your overall professional development and progress towards your degree
    • Preparatory workshops ranging from professional communication to preparing for video interviews
    • Personalized placement process (Customized outreach, matching, interview facilitation, and confirmation of internship details)
    • Location-specific orientation to city, industry, and internship placement
    • Synchronous meetings and engagement with your supervisor/teammates
    • Professional development modules and virtual networking events
    • Access to local and regional events such as a cultural performance or cooking lesson
    • Ongoing coaching and internship support
    • Midpoint review & final evaluation
    • The initial non-refundable deposit of $400, which will be charged on February 1, 2024, is applied to the program fee.

    Please note that the list of items included in the program fee is not all-inclusive and is subject to change.

    The following items are excluded from the program fee:

    • Personal expenses (routine medical expenses, toiletries, etc.)
    • Meals
    • Course materials (textbooks and readers)
    • COVID-19 testing fees for travel-related purposes
    • International airfare
    • Other travel expenses (passport, visa, etc.)
    • Commuting costs for the daily travel to and from your internship
    • COVID-19 testing fees for travel-related purposes
  • Timeline

    Timeline

    Application opens

    December 1, 2023

    Application closes

    January 16, 2024

    Applicants notified of selection

    By February 15, 2024

    Attend internship pre-placement orientation

    March 2024

    Participate in an individual placement meeting with a member of the Tokyo Global Internships staff

    March-April 2024

    Deadline to confirm participation or cancel for a refund of all program-related fees, minus $300 deposit

    March 15, 2024

    Attend professional development workshops and pre-departure orientation

    April-May 2024

    Interview with your direct internship supervisor via Zoom/phone or during your first week in Tokyo 

    May-June 2024

    Receive a provisional internship placement

    May-June 2024

    Attend onsite orientation activities

    First week of program

    Online course begins

    June 3, 2024

    Arrive in Japan

    May 31, 2024

    Last day of program

    July 25, 2024

    Online course ends

    August 9, 2024

    † All dates are subject to change.