Internships

We offer both inbound and outbound internship opportunities for young people seeking to grow personally and professionally through work experience and cultural exchange in Japan and around the world.
 
Since 2015, the Global Department has been running a robust inbound internship program for international students, study abroad participants, and local students who wish to gain work experience and immerse themselves in Japanese culture. To date, we have hosted young interns from diverse countries, including Australia, the United States, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and, of course, Japan.
Through these internships, we aim to create a space where individuals from various backgrounds can learn from one another, exchange ideas, and foster new perspectives.
 
🌏✨ Applications Open for the 2025 Summer Osaka YMCA Global Internship Program! ✨🌏 Applications close: March 31, 2025
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Osaka YMCA is rapidly emerging as a leader in global internships across Asia, having hosted over 180 interns from around the world since 2015. Through the Global Internship Program, young people gain a unique opportunity to work in Japan, immerse themselves in its rich culture, and collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds to achieve shared goals. With a range of fields available, interns take on roles tailored to their skills, suitability, and interests, ensuring a meaningful and impactful experience.

  • To provide transformational personal and professional development opportunities for young leaders
  • For participants to develop an understanding of global citizenship.
  • To foster better cross cultural relationships between Japan and international participants
  • To create a strong alumni of Osaka YMCA supporters
  • To build stronger networks both within the YMCA community and with external partners. 

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, more and more young people are looking to have an international leadership or work experience opportunity in order to gain unique development experiences and build their resumes.  The Global Internship program transforms you in positive and unexpected ways helping participants to build knowledge, maturity, resilience through a combination of fantastic cultural, program and work experiences. 

Are you:

  • between 18 - 28 years old?
  • Possess a valid passport and travel visa to Japan (if required)
  • Able to take out comprehensive travel insurance (intern’s responsibility)
  • Proficient in English (a TOEIC score of 700 or higher for those who speak English as a 2nd language)
  • Possess good computer skills: ability to make presentations about one’s internship experiences through Powerpoint or Keynote
  • Have an interest in Japanese culture a have a willingness to learn basic to intermediate Japanese.
  • Are looking to challenge yourself through program, cultural and work experiences?
  • Are positive and resilient?
  • Can agree to and follow the Global Internship Code of Conduct

Then this program is for you!

Although there are some occasions where global  interns are “head hunted” because of their unique experience and skill set in relation to a position (in such cases parts of the recruitment process do not apply), anyone who wants to be an Osaka YMCA Global Intern must go through a recruitment process as determined by the Osaka YMCA Global Department and / or their local YMCA or University. Every global intern must follow the application process to be successful in their application.

How is my application assessed?

The Global department will assess the skills and suitability of a candidate based on the following evaluation points:
1. Information contained within their application form and attached documentation.
2. Responses to questions during the candidate’s interview. The Global Department Coordinators will rate the candidate’s responses to questions, average their scores and discuss their suitability in a group. Each internship level is graded and an intern must show they have the raw ability, attitude, enthusiasm, leadership and language skills etc. to be able to complete an internship successfully.
3. Further discussion with their referees or organisations endorsing their application.
* An intern does not have to be a YMCA member but must show that they are willing to follow the principles of the Internship program and the YMCA.

What responsibilities does an intern have during their internship?

If an intern accepts an internship from Osaka YMCA they must agree to:
1. Take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy for the duration of their internship at Osaka YMCA inclusive of all days participating the program
2. Agree that Osaka YMCA can use photos and video material of themselves for the purposes of Osaka YMCA promotions, including web-based and printed material.
3. Read all materials provided for regarding their internship and Osaka YMCA in general
4. Prepare adequately for their internship
5. Prepare suitable materials for cultural exchange activities with representatives from other countries
6. Ensure that they have access to enough money in the event of emergency or financial necessity
7. Learn simple Japanese phrases such as greetings
8. Organise their flight times to arrive at Kansai airport between 9am - 5pm
9. Understand that they are responsible for organising their accommodation outside of their confirmed internship dates or during their days off
10. Participate in all parts of the internship program including the Global Youth Conference as role models and support those who require assistance
11. Represent your country or YMCA as ambassadors and behave in a professional manner 

Osaka YMCA is rapidly emerging as a leader in global internships across Asia, having hosted over 180 interns from around the world since 2015. Through the Global Internship Program, young people gain a unique opportunity to work in Japan, immerse themselves in its rich culture, and collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds to achieve shared goals. With a range of fields available, interns take on roles tailored to their skills, suitability, and interests, ensuring a meaningful and impactful experience.

  • To provide transformational personal and professional development opportunities for young leaders
  • For participants to develop an understanding of global citizenship.
  • To foster better cross cultural relationships between Japan and international participants
  • To create a strong alumni of Osaka YMCA supporters
  • To build stronger networks both within the YMCA community and with external partners. 

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, more and more young people are looking to have an international leadership or work experience opportunity in order to gain unique development experiences and build their resumes.  The Global Internship program transforms you in positive and unexpected ways, helping participants to build knowledge, maturity, and resilience through a combination of fantastic cultural, program and work experiences. 

Are you:

  • between 18 - 28 years old?
  • Possess a valid passport and travel visa to Japan (if required)
  • Able to take out comprehensive travel insurance (intern’s responsibility)
  • Proficient in English (a TOEIC score of 700 or higher for those who speak English as a 2nd language)
  • Possess good computer skills: ability to make presentations about one’s internship experiences through Powerpoint or Keynote
  • Have an interest in Japanese culture a have a willingness to learn basic to intermediate Japanese.
  • Are looking to challenge yourself through program, cultural and work experiences?
  • Are positive and resilient?
  • Can agree to and follow the Global Internship Code of Conduct

Then this program is for you!

Although there are some occasions where global  interns are “head hunted” because of their unique experience and skill set in relation to a position (in such cases parts of the recruitment process do not apply), anyone who wants to be an Osaka YMCA Global Intern must go through a recruitment process as determined by the Osaka YMCA Global Department and / or their local YMCA or University. Every global intern must follow the application process to be successful in their application.

How is my application assessed?

The Global department will assess the skills and suitability of a candidate based on the following evaluation points:
1. Information contained within their application form and attached documentation.
2. Responses to questions during the candidate’s interview. The Global Department Coordinators will rate the candidate’s responses to questions, average their scores and discuss their suitability in a group. Each internship level is graded and an intern must show they have the raw ability, attitude, enthusiasm, leadership and language skills etc. to be able to complete an internship successfully.
3. Further discussion with their referees or organisations endorsing their application.
* An intern does not have to be a YMCA member but must show that they are willing to follow the principles of the Internship program and the YMCA.

What responsibilities does an intern have during their internship?

If an intern accepts an internship from Osaka YMCA they must agree to:
1. Take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy for the duration of their internship at Osaka YMCA inclusive of all days participating the program
2. Agree that Osaka YMCA can use photos and video material of themselves for the purposes of Osaka YMCA promotions, including web-based and printed material.
3. Read all materials provided for regarding their internship and Osaka YMCA in general
4. Prepare adequately for their internship
5. Prepare suitable materials for cultural exchange activities with representatives from other countries
6. Ensure that they have access to enough money in the event of emergency or financial necessity
7. Learn simple Japanese phrases such as greetings
8. Organise their flight times to arrive at Kansai airport between 9am - 5pm
9. Understand that they are responsible for organising their accommodation outside of their confirmed internship dates or during their days off
10. Participate in all parts of the internship program including the Global Youth Conference as role models and support those who require assistance
11. Represent your country or YMCA as ambassadors and behave in a professional manner