Happiness in the middle of nowhere

Last winter, I did a 3-months internship in Japan. I am from a very traditional town in Southern Italy, which is why I didn’t want to go to a city that is as crazy big as Tokyo or Kyoto. Fortunately, Meiji offers the Explore Japan internship program, which allowed me to specify my location goals. Although I didn’t think it would be possible, they found me an internship in my dream location: Hokkaido!

Yes, it was very cold. Yes, it was a bit secluded. But it was exactly what I was looking for in my internship. My company was a Ski resort/traditional Japanese ryokan (like a bed and breakfast) which opened around 2015. Since I see myself working in Tourism & Hospitality in the future, it was the perfect match. Most of my tasks revolved around customer service and a bit of marketing: checking in guests, helping with the rooms, taking photos and promoting the place on social media and external partner websites. Sometimes, I would work outside on the mountain side and help with ski lessons. It was possibly the most adventurous internship I will ever have and I loved every minute of it!