Design internships?

[akatsuka]

Hi, Im currently studying a BA Graphic Design degree in England. I'm interested to find out if there are any internships in Japan that I could do? Specifically, any to do with graphic design. I've done a few searches on the internet, but the only internships I find are either hospitality ones or IT. Also, they seem to be quite long internships - 6 months to a year, is there any opportunities for shorter internships?? I've seen alot of companies only asking for American students too...

Also, I guess it depends on the company itself, but is there a specific amount of Japanese you need to know? I hope to take JLPT2 in December 2007, but, thats after I wish to go ...

Basically, I want to go back to Tokyo this summer for as long as I can, but, without a valid visa I cant work, and I need to work for the money! I know there is probably shifty ways of getting private students and gaining cash that way etc... but I'm not interested in that. Any other ideas?

Graphic Design company is a long shot, but, an ideal one... Any help with this and I'll throw you a big hug!

Thanks

[akatsuka]

I was thinking about going to do this course at Temple University this summer (http://www.temple.edu/studyabroad/programs/summer/japan/media-arts.html). Would this increase my chances of gaining a job in Japan? i'm reluctant to do it, as its expensive and feel I already have the skills they are offering with this course, but if it opens doors in japan, I'll seriously consider it.

I have 3 years commercial experience as an Artworker in London. (DTP Operator) I have also worked with Japanese advertisements and clients, although I have never spoken Japanese with them.

EDIT: Looks like my link isnt working. The course is entitled "Digital Photography, Drawing, Digital Printmaking, and
Graphic and Interactive Design" and its a summer course...

[Charles]

I thought that Temple workshops sounded interesting, one of them is just what I'm looking for, printmaking. But wow is it expensive, and I'm not in school so I don't need college credits.
Since you are currently in college, it would probably be best if you can arrange an exchange program, your school might have cooperative arrangements with a school in Japan, and this is usually the cheapest way to go since you usually pay your local tuition and housing costs, it's a huge discount over the Japanese tuition costs. But you'll have to work through your local school, and you better start NOW because the typical summer class application deadlines are around the end of January/mid Feb. And there is always a ton of paperwork to do, Japanese bureaucracy works very slowly. It's worth pursuing every local option since you can sometimes get scholarships for study abroad. It can't be that hard to get a scholarship, I got one.
Once you're over in Japan, it is much easier to look around for potential jobs, you can start developing relationships that will help you find work after graduation. Internships can be easier to get if you can show experience living in Japan. Contact your local Japanese embassy or consulate and ask for The Japan Foundation for more info on scholarships, internships, etc.

[akatsuka]

Thanks Charles for your quick response and help!!

I was told at my University that I can do a semester abroad. But, most students are 'expected' to go to San Francisco. I asked the organiser about Japan, but he said bluntly "You'd really need to be Japanese in order to be accepted"... I cant believe its that narrow?! This is for Spring semester 2008. I guess I'd need JLPT 1 too. (if they accepted a gaijins...) I'm going to do some more research on that one, maybe ask a different organiser...

As for scholarships and internships, do I contact the Japanese embassy direct and ask about this? Or Japan Foundation? I've only looked at websites I've googled so far, so if I could actually speak to someone, I'd probably get further..

[Charles]

Your school's advisor doesn't seem like he gets it, he should be trying to help you rather than confine your choices to English-speaking countries. What is this with recommending San Francisco? It's a nice city but it's not really a top level academic destination unless you're going to study at someplace like UCBerkeley (which isn't really in SF anyway).
If you really are close to JLPT L2 then you're good to go. Most exchange schools teach classes in English anyway (look at the Temple classes, for example). One of the primary goals of studying in Japan is to improve your language skills, they don't expect everyone to have perfect fluency before they go over, they expect you to study it once you are in Japan. And besides, a friend of mine got accepted at Todai in the regular program that native speakers take, they sent him a language proficiency test, which was the previous year's JLPT L2 test. So that might give you an indication, that the top school in Japan would accept a gaijin with L2 ability (well, he had very high level language skills, and spent a year at school in Japan before that).
Anyway, talk to The Japan Foundation people, they operate their offices out of Japanese embassies and consulates. They may just refer you back to their info websites, but you'll probably have to deal with them eventually, if you want to apply for Japanese scholarships, internships, etc.

[akatsuka]

Thanks for your advice.

I’m going to re-ask at Uni when I start back. I'm also going to phone the London Japanese embassy tomorrow and see where it leads me. I'll post the information I find out here, in case it helps anyone else in the future. (or incase I need more help... >_<)

Until then, its a long shot, BUT!! if anybody here works at a Design company, or knows someone who does, then let them know that there is a JLPT 3/2 proficient English graphic design undergraduate looking for a scholarship or internship for the summer (2007 or 2008 ).

I’m even willing to do free work experience/volunteer work to gain experience in this field in Japan (I already have experience in England) and to gain contacts. If you need my CV in Japanese or English, private message me and I'll give you my email.

[akatsuka]

Hmmm... I've finally got a reply back from the UK Japan Foundation, who said they couldnt help me cos their main role in the UK is to support teachers of Japanese in primary and secondary schools, so dont have many links with organisations in Japan.

They gave me these websites:
http://www.jpf.org.uk/language/faq/learning.html#3
http://www.jasso.go.jp/index_e.html
http://www.tiu.ac.jp/english/

None of which really help me. Tokyo International University sounds cool, but the prices are way above my budget. I guess all prices are the same. I was really hoping for an internship to work in a Japanese company though, not a student exchange type thing where I study in Japan.

I guess my best bet is to get a job as a teacher in Japan through JET or something else when I graduate and look for opportunities then.

I'm going to Japan in the summer for 3 weeks, so if anybody knows of any organisations in Japan (Tokyo) that I could visit whilst I'm there, please help.
In the meantime, lots of random emails to design companies in Japan!

Thanks