Alexandria Holden, a junior Japanese major from Sacramento, California, did an internship abroad in Kyoto, Japan, as part of the CRCC Asia program (China Recruitment Ltd. and China Consulting Ltd.). She worked for Kyotech as a Research and Marketing Intern and supported interior design projects. She shared information about her experience with this internship abroad in the following Q&A that originally was published by the Excel Network.
How did you obtain your internship?
I used MSU’s study abroad portal to discover CRCC Asia’s Internships in Kansai Region, Japan program. I applied and later interviewed with MSU, CRCC Asia, and Kyotech. I used resources available at MSU to help me write my resume and prepare for interview questions.
What did your daily routine include?
I’d wake up at 6:30 a.m. and start my day with a small breakfast and morning routine before packing my bag and heading out at 8 a.m. to brave Kyoto’s heat. I commuted to Kyotech from my housing in Minami-ku to Shimogyō-ku via train and walking, which took about 45 minutes. From there, I arrived at work and greeted my coworkers before sitting down at my desk. Due to the heat, I would take about 15 minutes to cool off before starting my research and report writing. Usually, one day of the week, I’d take about 30 minutes to do a mini-presentation with my team (Kyotech’s design team) about a recent report I had written. After that, I’d spend the day working at my laptop. There was an hour lunch break, and during that, I’d walk to the convenience store next door to grab a lunch. Some days of the week, I would go with my team to visit various cultural sites or home building showrooms around Kyoto, all themed around learning about the history of Japanese design and their housing market. I commuted back home around 3 to 4 p.m., just in time to beat the evening rush hour! My company was kind enough to help me avoid it. Then, at the end of the day, I enjoyed dinner and some rest.
What was your favorite experience from the internship?
My favorite experience from my internship was learning so much about Japanese design, home building, and kimono design. I toured factories, museums, and showrooms, which were very informative and interesting to see.
What skills did you learn and/or build upon during your internship?
I learned a lot about Japanese workplace culture, writing organized reports, and what is expected of me in a professional setting. I also refined my writing skills and learned more Japanese vocabulary centered around interior design.
What did you learn about the industry as a result of the internship?
I learned a lot about interior design, the careful planning and detail that goes into it, and how even the smallest aspects can make or break a comfortable living space. I also learned a lot about kimono design and how the designs have gone from being applied strictly to kimono to being applied to interior wall panels. I also learned how to better conduct research and obtain important data.
What are your future plans?
My future plans involve returning to Kyoto, either to work in foreign relations or interior design, or maybe both!
What advice do you have for others seeking internship opportunities?
My advice is to stay persistent and determined. I come from a low-income household, and I also have severe chronic health issues, but thanks to my refusal to give up, I was able to do incredibly well. Don’t let anyone or anything get in the way of your dreams or goals. Also, don’t be afraid to use the resources available to you. Let them help you figure out your next steps, no matter how small. Ask questions, research, and just keep at it. You can do it!
