As all good things must come to an end, my time as a YOUNEEDS Co. Ltd. (“YOUNEEDS”) intern is over. During my internship, I gained many new experiences through living and working in Japan. International internships are a rewarding experience where you can not only gain new skills but also grow personally and professionally. In this blog, I will talk about the highlights from my internship in Japan.

Looking Back at My Experience as an Intern in Japan

Even though my time as one of the YOUNEEDS Autumn 2024 Interns was only six weeks long, it was an amazing experience that has helped me prepare for my future career. YOUNEEDS has an innovative approach to internships where I was given autonomy to work on tasks in a self-directed way; managing my time to ensure they were completed on time. During my internship, I worked on a variety of tasks, from writing blogs to preparing internal presentations and translating for clients. Since it was my first time working in marketing in Japan, the work was difficult at first. However, the supportive team at YOUNEEDS was always there to make it easy to adjust to the workload.

Not only did my internship with YOUNEEDS provide me with professional skills but it also helped me grow as a person. As an intern, I had the freedom to express myself creatively, the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and the chance to explore Tokyo in my free time. Overall, this experience has helped me realize my personal strengths and weaknesses when it comes to working in another country.

Networking Events: Meeting people from all over the world

As a YOUNEEDS intern, I was lucky enough to attend two networking events in the short time I was in Tokyo. In late November, I attended the Startup Japan 2024 Expo, held at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba. This was an eye-opening experience where I discovered a vast number of start-up companies within Japan. My favorite moment of my internship was attending the French Fashion Days event held at the Embassy of France in Tokyo in early December. Here, I was not only able to learn about the world of French fashion, but also gain insight into the Japanese market by talking to professionals from all over France and Japan. Overall, These networking events have been a valuable experience.

Cultural Experience: Exploring the Streets of Asakusa

If you’re working, interning, or studying overseas, it’s important to take time and explore your surroundings. As a YOUNEEDS intern, I was constantly encouraged to wander around Tokyo and experience the Japanese market firsthand. I was able to gain valuable insight into marketing trends and consumer behavior in Japan. As part of this cultural experience, I had the opportunity to walk around Asakusa wearing a kimono with the YOUNEEDS team. Even though it was my first time experiencing this part of Japanese culture, I had an amazing time exploring the beautiful city.

Final Thoughts: Saying Goodbye to Japan

Even though my time at YOUNEEDS was short, it was a valuable experience that I will always remember. I gained many new experiences that have contributed to my personal and professional growth. I now feel more confident to start pursuing my future career in marketing and international business. Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to the amazing team at YOUNEEDS for making this internship a memorable experience.

If your company is interested in entering the Japanese market, the team at YOUNEEDS is here to help. To book a consultation or have a causal chat, please contact us here or via LinkedIn.