Since 2015, the Center for Japanese Studies Japan Internship Initiative has connected local and international employers, alumni, and affiliates with career-oriented students hoping to apply their Japanese language and cultural skills. Hosting a U-M intern is an exciting opportunity to impact the future career and intercultural development of an upcoming professional, while also recruiting hard-working and motivated members for your team.
We hope you’ll join us in crafting new opportunities for students this summer!
To get started, download and fill out the UMCJS Japan Internship Initiative – Internship Description Form (日本語) and return it to cjs.internships@umich.edu.
Timeline
- September – November: Employers provide internship description forms*
- October – mid-January: Student application period
- Late January: Employers receive and review applications
- February: Candidates selected for interviews
- March: Interns notified, confirmed in order of preference. Employers work with student interns and support staff to determine logistics of internship planning for internship
- May – August: Internship period
*Note: There is no obligation to accept any candidate. Filling out the form is not a commitment to take student interns, just an indication of interest.
Internship Planning
- Internships typically last 6-8 weeks from May to August at 25-40 hours per week, though employers will determine exact timing and contact hours in collaboration with the intern.
- Internships may take place in-person or virtually online. We encourage employers to consider virtual options in the event that in-person arrangements are not possible at the time of the internship.
Host Responsibilities
- Work: Provide student interns with meaningful and concrete projects and work plans so that they can learn from the experience.
- Supervision: Interns should have a dedicated supervisor for guidance and support. This includes introducing students to the work culture of your organization and providing regular opportunities to give and ask for feedback.
- Compensation: Compensation is encouraged but not required. This may take the form of wages or stipends, housing support or guidance, transportation, meals, visa support, etc. Ultimately it is the intern’s responsibility to cover work and living expenses related to their internship. Interns are encouraged to apply for separate scholarships to cover these costs, but their award is not guaranteed.
Questions? Please contact us at cjs.internships@umich.edu.
