I gained valuable work experience interning with a company specialising in mechanistic modelling for pharmaceutical development. Although I am studying medicine, I had no prior experience working in the medical or scientific research field, making this an excellent opportunity to learn within an innovative and rapidly evolving company that has already received global recognition.

I was initially challenged by being immersed in a complex research topic, but I adapted quickly and ultimately produced results that my supervisor was very pleased with. Beyond the professional experience, I formed lifelong friendships and had the opportunity to immerse myself in a culture entirely new to me, which contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth.

Overall, I had a really good experience with the CRCC program. I didn’t love my first job placement, but the team was super supportive and helped me switch to a new one that I ended up absolutely loving. I really appreciated how they listened and made the change happen quickly. Definitely a solid program. I’d recommend it to anybody who is wanting to live and work abroad. Not only did I gain valuable work experience, but I also got to immerse myself in a new culture, meet amazing people, and grow both personally and professionally. It’s a unique opportunity worth taking!

In summer 2024, I lived in Tokyo, Japan to work as the first Product Design Intern among engineers at XELA Robotics Co., Ltd. I learned how to navigate interdisciplinary conversations and had the privilege to immerse myself in a different culture for 2.5 months thanks to CRCC Asia, UO Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence (CMAE), and Freeman Fellowship. From a social design standpoint, I’m in awe of how Japan’s accessible public transport system functions with intricate maps, user-friendly signage, and considerate conductors and passengers who care about keeping the trains and buses clean, safe, and timely for everyone. Riding the train to sightsee, eat, play rooftop soccer, hike Mt. Takao, and explore the greater Tokyo area is what I miss now that I’m back in the car-centric U.S.

At XELA, I collaborated with an engineer and marketing manager to redesign an appearance model for USkin Protect, a fingertip housing a tactile multi-axis sensor for robotic hands and grippers. My design process involved brand analysis, staff perception research, comparative product analysis, sketching, 3D modeling in Rhino and SolidWorks, and reverse engineering.

I am very grateful for the learning experience and the core memories that I made with peers from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Scotland, Ireland, England, Australia, and so on.

My Tokyo Experience was unforgettable and incredibly rewarding. I interned at J-Global, a startup that helps Western companies integrate into Japanese society and vice versa. This gave me unique insights into cross-cultural business practices and real client projects. I stayed in student accommodation with local university students, which was amazing for cultural exchange and building friendships. There were also well-organized social events that made it easy to meet people, explore Tokyo, and learn more about daily life in Japan. Overall, the program balanced meaningful work experience with cultural immersion, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to grow professionally and personally while experiencing Japan authentically. I’d highly recommend it to future participants.

Spending my summer in Tokyo for an internship was an amazing experience. It was so much fun to explore a new culture, meet new people, and live in such an exciting city. CRCC, the company that organized the program, did a great job making sure we had a place to stay and helped us get around Tokyo. Overall, I had a great time, but there were a couple of things I wish had been better.

One thing I wished for was more organized activities for the interns. While we naturally made friends and hung out, it would have been nice if CRCC had planned more events for us to meet and interact. Another thing that could be improved is the professional aspect of the internship. For people looking for a serious and career-focused experience, this program might not be the best choice. The internship itself was decent, but it didn’t feel very structured or intense.

I found this so fun because it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip! But it definitely solidified my wanting to work and live in Japan. I would want other participants to know that there are lots of spiders and cockroaches naturally on the street though, and can definitely scare ya off haha. I noted that the work can definitely get tough too as you can get overloaded, but the experience for the resume is so worth it in the end. It also teaches you how to be flexible when in a new environment. I loved it!

I had an incredible two-month internship in Japan that exceeded my expectations. I got hands-on experience, learned so much from professionals in the field, and had the chance to explore the city on the weekends. I loved wandering through bustling markets, visiting stunning temples, and experiencing the vibrant nightlife. The city was alive with energy, and every day felt like a new adventure waiting to happen. The CRCC Asia support team was always helpful, and the other interns made the experience even better. It was a perfect mix of work, travel, and cultural immersion—I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and rewarding internship abroad!

Overall, I loved my time as a CRCC intern. I had the opportunity to meet other interns from around the globe while also had the chance to meet and talk with people that live and work in Japan. I really enjoyed my experience in Tokyo my favorite part of the CRCC internship program was the cultural events as this allowed me to learn more and appreciate Japanese culture. Throughout my process of enrolling into this program, meeting host companies, sitting interviews, and working with my host company, the staff were always with me if I ever needed assistance. The staff have been genuinely lovely and supportive and I really appreciate their kindness. I am delighted to have completed this program, it was my dream to live and work in Tokyo as in the near future I plan to move here full time. This program really helped me get a feeling for Tokyo living, appreciate the culture, work in the environment and meet some of the nicest people! I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in living and working abroad for a period of time:)