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Meiji Internships

Why choose Meiji Internships?

Your journey starts here! Having been rated the best internship program in 2018, Meiji Internships provides personally tailored travel packages, a vast variety of industry fields and university accredited internship placements.

Our goal is to allow our interns to fully immerse themselves in their host country’s environment. So our popular programs focus on helping ambitious and talented young professionals fulfill their dreams of an international career.

In order to perfectly match your dream internship, we have a number of different countries and cities available: From the cultural hubs of Japan and South Korea to the natural beauty of Vietnam and China, chill beaches of Singapore and Thailand and enchanting skylines of Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Every country will give you the chance to explore its unique culture and diverse career paths. You name the country and field you wish to be interning in, and we will help you realize your dream!

Reviews

Default avatar
Daniel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experiences in Japan with Meiji Internships

"My time at Meiji Internships was simply incredible! From learning important Japanese phrases to putting on a kimono, pounding mochi, enjoying traditional matscha tea and much more. Every experience was simply breathtaking. The Meiji Internships not only helped me understand Japanese culture and language, but also gave me unforgettable experiences that I will always remember.
Thanks for the nice time."

Meine Zeit an der Meiji Internships war einfach unglaublich! Angefangen beim Erlernen wichtiger japanischer Phrasen bis hin zum Anziehen eines Kimonos, dem stampfen von Mochi, dem Genießen von traditionellem Matscha-Tee und vielem mehr. Jede Erfahrung war einfach atemberaubend. Die Meiji Internships haben mir nicht nur geholfen, die japanische Kultur und Sprache zu verstehen, sondern haben mir auch unvergessliche Erlebnisse beschert, an die ich mich immer erinnern werde.
Danke für die schöne Zeit.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Ich habe sehr traditionelle Rahmen gegessen die einen sehr intensiven Geschmack.
Default avatar
Jonathan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Exploring Japan: A Cultural Journey Through My Meiji Internship in Fukuoka

I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a 4-week internship at Meiji in Fukuoka, Japan. During my stay, I immersed myself in Japanese culture through various enriching activities. I joined a traditional tea ceremony, wore a classic Kimono around the town, and explored local temples, which deepened my appreciation for Japan's rich heritage.

Japanese everyday life amazed me with its harmonious blend of modernity and tradition. I admired the politeness of the locals, their efficient transportation system, and the meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of daily living.

Fukuoka's cuisine was a culinary journey in itself. I indulged in Hakata ramen originating from here, fresh sashimi, and unique street food like mentaiko (spicy cod roe). Every meal was an explosion of flavor, reflecting the region's diverse gastronomic heritage.

Overall, this internship was a profound cultural experience that left me with cherished memories and a newfound admiration for Japan.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The first time I tried the original Hakata Ramen, my colleagues and I stumbled into a traditional restaurant in a side alley. Little did we know that there is a huge spectrum to the classic pork broth. At first, we were excited to taste it, but soon we realized that this was not what we meant to eat. The broth had such a strong smell, that we could barely continue. So if you don't seek a hardcore first meal, I suggest you rather go to the chain Ichiran. There you can enjoy a savorous meal, without an unpleasant twist.
Pros
  • Well organized cultural activities
  • Rich culinary scene
  • The staff truly includes everyone in the Meiji family, whether you are an employee or a short-term intern.
Cons
  • Depending on your profession, the internship may not cover your interests
Default avatar
David
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time in Fukuoka

My time in Fukuoka was amazing! The city exceeded all my expectations.
The people in Fukuoka were incredibly friendly and helpful. I always felt welcomed and had many inspiring conversations that broadened my horizons. The local food was delicious, from mouth-watering ramen to fresh seafood. I'll never forget those culinary experiences.
The natural beauty around Fukuoka was also stunning. The picturesque beaches and lush greenery were perfect for escaping the city hustle and enjoying nature's wonders.
Overall, my time in Fukuoka was enriching. The mix of cultural richness, culinary delights, and warm hospitality created lasting memories. I can't wait to come back one day and explore more of this fascinating city."

Default avatar
Thitikarn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Internship!

Thank you so much for connecting me with Commonwealth. I did not regret doing an internship while studying abroad, even though it made me much busier. I have to say that because of the internship, I could understand Taiwanese culture much better. My supervisor was very nice. She took me hiking and always let me know when there was an interesting talk happening in town (I got to attend a meeting where the Singaporean's former foreign administrator talked about ASEAN's stance in the cross-strait conflict.). She also took me to a networking event where I met many inspiring people working in journalism and academic fields. This also allowed me to connect with my host family in a much more profound way. I love my internship experience and appreciate the help from Meiji Internships.

Default avatar
Maxime
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Internship in Singapore with Meiji Internship

I really enjoyed this experience; it was new for me to discover Asia, and Singapore served as the perfect gateway to this vibrant and diverse continent. The Meiji Internship program was a remarkable journey from start to finish. It unfolded in a swift yet comprehensive manner, taking just about 2-3 months to complete the entire process.

What truly stood out was the meticulous alignment of the company with my profile and expectations. It was a seamless fit, and I felt like I was in the right place from day one. The company not only provided valuable insights into my field of interest but also immersed me in a rich cultural environment.

The blend of professional growth and cultural exploration made this internship a holistic experience. I had the privilege of working in a dynamic international setting while also having the opportunity to explore the enchanting cultural tapestry of Singapore. The memories and lessons from this journey will undoubtedly stay with me for a lifetime.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Travel and be curious about discovering culture
Pros
  • Amazing Experience
  • Almost no need to carry
Cons
  • Have to be very organise

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I have read several reviews before and everyone seemed to have a great experience with Meiji Internships. At first I wasn't sure about which country I should go to, but as they were working with many countries in Asia, I thought it might be a good idea to contact them and ask them directly which country would be the best for me.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

They assisted me with the accommodation, the airport pick-up, the transportation card, the pocket WI-FI, weekly activities... They also assisted me before the internship with my CV, the interview with my host company etc. Basically I only had to book my flight on my own. I could always ask them anything if needed.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I would say "Don't be afraid to talk with everyone and take advantage of every opportunity. This kind of experience is really life changing and it can become the best experience of your life if you have enough ambition and motivation. Don't be afraid to say "yes" when someone offers you their help and be kind to everybody so they will pay it forward."

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

My internship was a full-time internship. So I woke up at 7am, ate my breakfast with the other interns who lived in the sharehouse and left the house around 8:30 am. Everyday was slightly different in term of work but in the morning I was primarily working on some promotional content for different restaurants and hotels we had partnerships with, or attended meetings with the team. In the afternoon I did a variety of different things such as help manage events or meet with new potential partners. The working day would end at 6 pm, and we either went to have dinner with the team, or I had made plans with my fellow interns.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was afraid of failure, that I might disappoint my co-workers and make too many mistakes. I actually overcame my fear by making mistakes and learning from them! I realised that I cannot be perfect from the beginning, because that's exactly the reason why I chose to do this internship: to learn. Making mistakes is in fact the best way to remember and learn faster. And my co-workers were never angry at me or anything!

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Nanami Kubota

Job Title
Human Resources Manager
Nanami Kubota is from Fukuoka Prefecture and graduated from university in 2019. At university, she majored in Business Administration focusing on Management and Leadership Theory. She has very good communication skills and can quickly become friends with anyone. Her hobbies include studying English and traveling around the world.
Nanami poses with interns on a beach

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory was meeting amazing people in Hawaii. I went to Hawaii on a graduation trip with my friends in February 2019. This was the first time I had ever gone overseas!

Actually, I hated studying English before going to Hawaii. It was difficult, I had a hard time understanding it, and trying to speak English always stressed me out.

But the Hawaiian people changed my mind. As we had dinner together, played cards, and interacted with each other, my passion for speaking English sparked. After returning to Japan, I began to enjoy studying English,and it became a real hobby of mine. I am proud of my experience in Hawaii because it changed my way of thinking.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Meiji Internships has given me a lot of confidence.

The reason is that the company exchanges and discusses e-mail with various people every day. Although I originally didn't have the confidence, I was assigned a variety of tasks and communicated with so many people that I was able to work with confidence and glee.

Also, because we are multinational, we can learn a lot on a daily basis. While working, you can interact with people from different countries and grow constantly.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I first met an American who came to Japan at university. I regularly taught him Japanese because he was not good at Japanese at that time.

One day, he tried to go to the hot spring alone. However, he got lost in the mountains and wandered alone in the dark.

However, he spoke in Japanese to an elderly man who drove by car. The old man saw him and took him to the hot spring by car. I was reminded of the warmth of the hearts of Japanese people and was very happy.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I want to create a world where people around the world can work happily. Why? There are many people in the world who do not feel like their work is worthwhile. Some people even commit suicide because of tough working conditions.

I sincerely hope to change this situation and make workers feel cherished. Meiji Internships provides valuable internships for everyone. From start to finish, the staff will do everything to help interns have an amazing work experience. I want to realize a program that allows people from all over the world to work with satisfaction and respect each other, especially in Japan.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

My company has a sense of speed. They can solve problems very quickly and work efficiently. I have a task for each person, on which they work reliable while highly valuing information sharing. When I am worried my team members are helping me immediately. They are listening to me when i am in trouble and share advice. I am proud of the helpfulness and the joint growth of my team.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Time management is essential for a company to succeed. We shouldn't work slowly because the same amount of time (24 hours) is giving to every person and everyone is equal. In that context, whether to spend that time or waste is very important for the success of the company. I will continue to value time management and do my very best to reach the highest standards - and beyond