Summer Internships in Japan - Travel

Fashion and Design Practice

• Program Orientation
• Travel Arrangements
• On Site Transportation
• Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens
• Entry Requirements for Non-U.S. Citizens
• Insurance
• LGBTQIA+ Travelers
• U.S. Department of State

Program Orientation

Pre-Departure Orientation

Before departure, you'll attend a required program orientation led by UC Davis Study Abroad and the faculty instructor. This session prepares you for living and working in Tokyo by covering academics, internship expectations, travel logistics, health and safety, intercultural adjustment, and program policies. You'll also have the opportunity to meet your fellow participants and ask questions before departure.

Prior to orientation, you'll receive a Program-Specific Guide with detailed information about packing, arrival, communication, and preparing for your internship.

On-Site Orientation

After arriving in Tokyo, you'll participate in a required orientation led by SEKAIA. This orientation is designed to help you transition into your new home, workplace, and community before beginning your internship.

Topics typically include:

• Navigating Tokyo's public transportation system 
• Japanese customs, etiquette, and cultural expectations 
• Workplace etiquette and professional expectations in Japan 
• Health, safety, and emergency procedures 
• Housing information and neighborhood resources 
• Program expectations and student support services 
• Meeting SEKAIA staff and fellow interns 

Orientation also includes opportunities to become familiar with your neighborhood, learn how to commute confidently to your internship, and begin exploring Tokyo with your cohort.

Travel Arrangements

Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to Tokyo. Once the program is confirmed and your internship placement has been finalized, UC Davis Study Abroad will provide detailed instructions for booking flights. Do not purchase airfare until you receive these instructions.

Your Program-Specific Guide will also include arrival instructions.

Because this is a UC Davis Summer Abroad program rather than a direct enrollment at a Japanese university, participants enter Japan as temporary visitors under the entry requirements applicable to their citizenship. Students planning additional travel, study, or internship experiences before or after the program are responsible for ensuring they meet all applicable entry and visa requirements. UC Davis Study Abroad can provide enrollment verification letters upon request.

Getting Around Tokyo

Tokyo has one of the world's most extensive and reliable public transportation systems, making it easy to travel between your housing, internship, and the city's many neighborhoods. Most students commute to their internship by train or subway, with commute times typically ranging from 45–60 minutes.

To help you get started, SEKAIA helps you purchase a Suica transit card for use during your time in Tokyo. Once the initial balance has been used, you can easily reload the card at train and subway stations throughout the city.

During orientation, SEKAIA staff will introduce you to Tokyo's rail and subway system, explain how to use your Suica card, and provide guidance on navigating the city with confidence.

Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens

There are no visa requirements for this program.

A passport is required for this program.

NOTE: if you intend to participate in another study, intern or travel program immediately beforehand or afterword, make sure to take this program into account when figuring out your visa situation. Study Abroad can provide you a verification of enrollment letter when requested, but you are responsible for securing visa(s) if needed.

Entry Requirements for Non-U.S. Citizens

A valid passport is required for this program. Non-U.S. citizens should check for visa and other entry requirements via the consulate of their travel destination(s): Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco.

You are responsible for obtaining your own visa. Study Abroad will supply a verification of enrollment or other necessary documents for non-U.S. citizens upon request.

International students in the United States on an F-1 or J-1 visa interested in studying abroad should ensure the U.S. visa in their passport has at least 90 days validity remaining whenever they travel abroad. If the U.S. visa expires or is about to expire (even if the I-20 is current), students may be required to apply for the visa to their study abroad country in their home country.

Non-U.S. citizens unable to gain access to the study abroad country will be subject to cancellation fees as shown in the cancellation schedule. For this reason, international students are highly encouraged to research entry to their destination country well in advance, and before enrolling in the program.

Insurance