General information on internships can be found at: http://www.gcl.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/internship/. For various procedures relating to internships, see: http://www.gcl.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp/intmanual/ (access by password only)

Note:
・The cost of GCL internship including transportation, accommodation, daily wages and other related expenses such as tuition fees is not covered by GCL.

・GCL course students should inform their department office about their abroad internship as soon as possible in case of long-term internship (s).

Selection of internship hosts

Q1　Can GCL provide support in negotiating with my preferred internship host organization?

A: We may be able to help depending on the conditions and field concerned. Please contact gcl_gakumu@gcl.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp to discuss your case.

Q2　 I don’t know what internship host organization to choose.

A: Please consult with your supervising professor regarding themes to be pursued at internship host organizations.

Q3　For an internship within Japan, can I find a host organization on my own?

A: Yes. In fact, we recommend it.

Internships Abroad

Q1　Can I travel on a tourist visa if the duration of my internship abroad is three months or less?

A: GCL does not permit students to travel on tourist visas for internships. You will need to obtain the appropriate visa in line with the rules of your destination country. If the country does not require a visa for stays of three months or less, you do not need to obtain one. If you do need to apply for a visa, please allow plenty of time to prepare your application. In the case of the United States of America, for example, it can take four weeks or more to obtain an interview at the U.S. Embassy in the summer period.

If your passport is due to expire in less than six months from your date of departure from Japan, please renew it well in advance.

Q2　What is the maximum duration of an internship abroad?

A: All the GCL course students must take three-month internship(s) in abroad and Japan for one of the requirements of GCL Program Completion.

You are required to conduct your internship abroad more than one month during three months. Or three-month internship(s) abroad can be conducted in case of Japanese students.

In case of overseas student, three-month internship(s) in Japan can be conducted.

Q3　 If my internship abroad is less than one month in duration, can I participate in other programs such as summer school as well?

A: In the case of less than 1 month, it is not appropriate to participate in other programs to adjust the duration. You are required to conduct your internship abroad at least for one month in case of Japanese course student.

Q4　 If I participate in another internship program such as the Tobitate! (Leap for Tomorrow) Study Abroad Initiative, will it be authorized as a GCL internship abroad?

A: GCL recommends that students make use of the Tobitate program to go on internships. Please obtain permission from the faculty member in charge before applying. There are also many internship programs available other than Tobitate. Please browse the list posted on the GCL internship program website.

Q5　 Can I include a pre-internship in my internship abroad?

A: No, it cannot be included.

Q6　 Can I do an internship abroad in two or more places?

A: Yes, you can. Total period of internship(s) will be added to your actual internship.

Q7　 How should I decide where to stay during my internship?

A: Please give first preference to accommodation facilities provided by the internship host. If there are no such facilities, tell the host your requirements and ask for recommendations, or find accommodation in a shared house or the like. Staying on your own in a hotel is not conducive to getting to know people during your internship abroad. In the worst case, you could end up simply travelling between your hotel and your research lab, and the whole point of going abroad would be lost. Therefore, if you cannot stay in a dormitory provided by the host university, we recommend you find a share house or homestay. These types of accommodation will surely provide chances to engage with people other than those in your research lab or the same specialist field as you. When making your decision, however, you should also place importance on safety and efficiency for your studies.

Costs

Q1　Is there an upper limit on the travel expenses paid by GCL?

A: The cost of internship including transportation, accommodation, daily wages, other related expenses is not covered by GCL.

Q2　The salary provided by my internship host organization is not sufficient. Can I receive a payment from GCL as well?

A: Course students who were employed up to FY2018 (Except decliners) will continue to receive your GCL subsidy during your internship. Subsidy recipients who also receive a salary from their host organization may have their subsidy payments adjusted. This will be done on an individual basis, so please contact gcl_gakumu@gcl.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp to discuss your case.

Q3　Can I apply for travel expenses for an internship within Japan?

A: The cost of internship including transportation, accommodation, daily wages, other related expenses is not covered by GCL.

Q4　Does GCL pay the tuition fees that occur during the internship?

A: The cost of tuition fees and other related expenses are not covered by GCL.

Insurance

Q1　What insurance is available for internships?

A: Students in the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Information Science and Technology are covered by the JEES “Gakkensai” Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research. Gakkensai is designed for accidents on campus and within Japan, and does not provide sufficient coverage abroad. For internships abroad, depending on your destination country, you may incur extremely high costs for medical care. For this reason, and especially in light of the length of time spent abroad on internships, GCL requires all students to take out separate overseas travel insurance. We also recommend taking out insurance that covers dental treatment. You will be required to submit certification of your insurance enrollment. You will also have to bear the cost of such insurance. Please inquire at your departmental administrative office for information on enrollment in “Futai Kaigaku,” the traveler’s insurance for study abroad scheme associated with Gakkensai. If you are affiliated with Graduate Schools of Information Science and Technology, or Engineering,  please contact GCL Office.

Other Matters

Q1　I want to be exempted from the internship program because I have previous work experience. What do I need to do?

A: Exemptions from the internship program may be possible depending on your years of work experience and the nature of your work duties. You will need to submit an Application for Internship Exemption. For consultations regarding exemption, please contact gcl_gakumu@gcl.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp.

Exemptions may be granted in the following cases if requested.
1) Internships in Japan or abroad for those with a work history of three or more years
2) Internships abroad for international students
*International students exempted from an internship abroad should complete internships within Japan.

Q2　 It is difficult for me to complete an internship in the second year of my Master’s course. Can I go during my Doctoral course instead?

A: That is possible depending on the situation.
When you have received an informal internship written consent from your internship host company, institute, organization,etc., please submit the Application for Change of GCL Internship Implementation Plan.

However, you have to complete your internships in Japan/abroad according to the following schedule:

For Doctoral course student enrolled in April :
By the end of September in the second year of your Doctoral course

For Doctoral course student enrolled in September :
By the end of March in the second year of your Doctoral course

Q3　 In what cases do you authorize long-term internships?

A: All the GCL course students must take internship(s) in abroad and Japan as “Requirements for GCL Program Completion”.
In consultation with your supervisor, please plan the optimal duration in light of your internship objectives and outcomes. For consultations regarding your internship plan, contact gcl_gakumu@gcl.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp.

Q4　 I am having trouble planning how to connect my internship with my Master’s thesis. What should I do?

A: Please consult with people such as your supervisor or mentor.

Q5　 I want approval to do my internship during the first year of my Master’s course.

A: Internship during M1 is possible.

If you wish to have an internship undertaken during your first year of master course, it can be counted as GCL internship, after submitting your internship report. We will review the content of your report and determine whether or not to authorize the internship.

Q6　 I am going on an internship within Japan that involves working two days per week. How will my internship period be calculated?

A: Internships within Japan are counted as one month for full-time attendance (Monday to Friday). In cases such as attendance for two days per week, 20 days’ attendance will be counted as one month. (Attendance for two days per week over a period of three months is not counted as a three-month internship.)

Q7　 Does GCL prepare documentation for contracts with internship host organizations?

A: Conditions vary, so contractual documents are prepared by the host organization. When entering into a contract, please examine and confirm the conditions carefully together with your supervisor.

Q8　 Do I have to purchase and enroll in the “Overseas Student Safety Management Assistance Service (OSSMA)”, even if it is optional?

A:The GCL program requires you to enroll in OSSMA. Please purchase and enroll in OSSMA at your own expense, before you travel.

Please refer to the following website for more information regarding OSSMA.
JP  http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/res03/ossma.html
EN http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/current-students/ossma.html