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 ensuite studio accommodations in 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.

Program Details

Dates:

• Tokyo: May 29 - July 23, 2025
• Online Course: June 9 - August 15, 2025

Dates are subject to change.

Units: 6 units

Language of Instruction: English

Two Required Courses:

On-site course:

• HISTORY N100G: Historical Origins of Modern Japan (3 units)

And an online course of your choice:

• UGIS W157: Experiential Learning (3 units) or
• UGIS W158: Global Citizenship (3 units)

Housing

• Students will live in fully-furnished single suite style apartment accommodation in Tokyo that is accessible by several public transportation lines.
• Students will have access to a single ensuite room, with AC, desk, chair, and refrigerator.
• Housing will also have a shared, fully stocked kitchen, workspace, dining area, and laundry machines.

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 2, 2024 at 9 am PST
• Space is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis
• Deadline to apply is January 15, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST

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: History N100G
Title: Historical Origins of Modern Japan
Dates: May 29 - July 23, 2025
Instructor: Michael Burtscher, Ph.D.
Units: 3 units
Prerequisites: None

Online Course

Option 1:

Course: Undergraduate & Interdisciplinary Studies W157
Title: Experiential Learning
Dates: June 9 - August 15, 2025
Instructor: Richard Thomas Ashcroft, 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 what it is to be both a worker and citizen in a globalizing world. You will be challenged to use your internship experience as an opportunity to explore the importance of cultural / generational differences in the workplace, professional ethics and personal values, and the structure and norms of different types of organizations. A series of audio-visual lectures, practical exercises, writing assignments, presentations, and online group discussions will ask you to engage in honest self-reflection about what you want from your career, and to develop the skills you need to succeed personally and professionally in a rapidly changing world.  We hope that this course will help understand the challenges of the modern global workplace and guide you towards a successful and fulfilling career. 
 

Option 2:

Course: Undergraduate & Interdisciplinary Studies W158
Title: Global Citizenship
Dates: June 9 - August 15, 2025
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.

Richard Thomas Ashcroft, Ph.D.

UGIS W157: Experiential Learning
Email: rashcroft@berkeley.edu

Richard Ashcroft is a Lecturer in UC Berkeley’s Department of Political Science and Interdisciplinary Social Science Programs, and former Postdoctoral Coordinator for the Network for a New Political Economy. His research and teaching explore how modern societies should evolve in the face of deepening diversity and disagreement, with a particular focus on the connections between postwar multiculturalism, political economy, and the legacies of empire. He teaches courses on the political theory of multiculturalism, classical and contemporary political economy, and US, UK and EU politics.

Dr. Ashcroft is from Winchester in the United Kingdom. He read Theology at Oxford, before attending law school in London and qualifying as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. He spent several years working for a leading US-UK firm specializing in tax and trust law, and then became a legal aid lawyer in South London acting for the homeless and tenants of social housing. During this period he received an MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights, before completing his PhD in Political Science at UC Berkeley in 2018.

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

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.

Sample placements:

Private investment company - Finance Intern 

• Sector: Business - This sector covers everything from entrepreneurial start-ups to multinational corporations with management/strategy consultancy firms, chambers of commerce, and international agencies.
• Tasks may include:
  • Competitor research and analysis 
  • Expand distribution channels
  • Market research 
  • Business development
  • Client management and sales 
  • Project management 
  • Strategy and Planning 
  • Marketing task support

International School - Development Intern  

• Sector: International Development, NGOs, & Charities - This industry encompasses a wide range of causes, from humanitarian aid and environmental conservation to healthcare and social justice. Interns will have the opportunity to contribute to noble missions, engage with passionate teams, and work toward positive social change. This field places a strong emphasis on empathy, community engagement, and fundraising efforts, allowing interns to be part of projects that create a better world and leave a lasting legacy of compassion and care.
• Tasks may include:
  • Fundraising work 
  • Writing press releases
  • Event management 
  • Relationship management with corporate and charity partners 
  • Running activities with the charity's beneficiaries 
  • Project management and support 
  • Marketing tasks 
     

Medical Startup - Business Development Intern/Medical Research Intern

• Sector: Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare  - This sector includes placements in pharmaceuticals and biomedical companies, health tech startups, and medical devices. Interns in this industry will explore diverse career paths, from pharmaceutical research and clinical trials to healthcare administrations.
• Tasks may include:
  • Business development 
  • Thematically-based research
  • Healthcare Content Creating: Writing articles and research
  • Quality Control
  • Testing & Measuring
     

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:

• Architecture
• Business
• Computer Science & IT
• Creative Design
• Engineering
• Entrepreneurship & Startup
• Greentech, Sustainability & Environmental
• Finance
• Health & Wellness
• Health Sciences
• Hospitality, Tourism & Events
• International Development & NGOs
• Legal
• Logistics & Supply Chain
• Marketing
• Media & Communications
• Real Estate
• Recruitment & HR

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

Confirmed 2025 fees will be updated by November 2024.

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:

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.

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

† All dates are subject to change.