Long enamored by the culture, beauty, and traditions of Japan, Zachary Kowalski was thrilled when he was hired for a 2024 summer internship at Drill Inc., a marketing company in Shibuya, Tokyo. It would be the perfect way to immerse himself in the Land of the Rising Sun, broaden his skill set, and gain professional experience.
Kowalski, a 2024 communications graduate, answered some interview questions about his internship experience.
What did you do to prepare for your internship in Japan?
First, I read two books. One was Japan the Essential Guide to Customs & Culture by Paul Norbury which explains many of the customs that exist in Japanese culture. I also read Easy Japanese Phrase Book by Talk in Japanese, and that helped me with Japanese phrases so I could better communicate in the workplace and throughout the country.
I supplemented those books with the Duolingo language learning program.
I also researched Japanese advertising companies to familiarize myself with some of their practices and how they connect with customers.
What was your first impression when you arrived in Japan?
It was incredible. As soon as I got off the plane, I was hit with the culture. Of course everything was in Japanese, and it was just very surreal to me. I kept thinking, ‘wow, I’m really here.’
It was my first time traveling outside of the United States, but I was more excited than overwhelmed or nervous.
What were some of the projects you worked on during your internship?
The two biggest projects I was assigned both involved taking designs that had been made in Adobe Illustrator, animating them, and putting them into videos.
One was for a campaign to promote updated kanji, the main form of writing in Japanese. The modernized designs done at Drill took stereotypes out of the kanji. I took those designs and gave them movement. You can still see them on the Living_Kanji Instagram account.
The second project was to create a video encouraging Japanese high school students to intern with Drill Inc. For the first part of the project, I took already created Adobe Illustrator designs and animated them. This meant taking still 2D images and giving them a sense of depth and movement. After a round of feedback from my supervisor, I finished those animations, then put them together into a video. I chose the music from a copyright free source that would accurately give off the “vibes” that the company was looking for.
What were some of the most important takeaways from your internship?
Drill Inc. is a small company, but I learned how much goes on within a marketing agency. There are different people doing several different jobs, but it's not just one person making something. Everyone contributes in some way. At Drill, they always work as a team. They bounce creative ideas off each other. I found that really interesting and refreshing.
I learned more about taking constructive criticism and about hitting deadlines. It's important to be able to do the work on time and in a professional manner. Working on real projects for real clients was a significant lesson for me.
The Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) temple in Kyoto, Japan.
What else did, did you experience while you were in Japan?
I visited many places in and just outside of Tokyo. Being able to explore the city and find out what it offers gave me a better understanding of the culture.
We took a weekend trip to Kyoto, another city in Japan, and saw many shrines and monuments and other cultural elements.
Below Tokyo is a place called Kamakura, and it's like a beachside town. We took a train there, and we spent the day. I thought it was so beautiful. If I could live anywhere, I would choose there. It was amazing.
Honestly, the entire trip was everything I thought it would be and more.
Do you have any advice for students considering internships?
Internships are definitely beneficial. You might not get paid, but each experience is still unique and valuable. You learn so much, and they can really help guide you on what you want to do after graduation.
If there’s an internship in another country, you should seriously consider it. Remember that you only live once. You might never have the opportunity to travel there again and experiencing it as a student is such a remarkable thing.
