Reflections from Our Spring 2026 Interns
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Our Spring 2026 internship season has come to an end. We asked Ella and Christian to share why they applied for the internship and to reflect on their time with the Chamber. Here is what they had to say:
Ella Tolstrup Furat
When I applied for the DCCJ internship, I was looking for an opportunity to gain practical business experience in Japan while expanding my professional network. Coming from a background in Chinese and Japanese Studies and pursuing a Master of Management at Temple University Japan, I was particularly interested in understanding how international organizations operate and how business relationships are built across cultures. The DCCJ offered a unique opportunity to combine all of these interests while working closely with Danish companies and professionals in Japan.
From the beginning, we were given a high level of responsibility and trust. Rather than being assigned routine administrative tasks, I was involved in a wide variety of projects that gave me exposure to different aspects of chamber operations. One of the most rewarding aspects of the internship was the opportunity to contribute to events, as I supported a number of networking events, seminars, and business gatherings that brought together professionals from a wide range of industries, including the Annual General Meeting at the Danish Embassy, as well as a Board of Directors meeting at the Novo Nordisk Office.
One of the biggest highlights of my internship was being given the opportunity to plan and execute the Nordic Young Professionals Connect event. From coordinating with stakeholders and speakers to working closely with my university, Temple University Japan Campus, which generously supported the event venue, I was involved in every stage of the process. Seeing the event come together and bringing together young professionals from across the Nordic and international business communities was incredibly rewarding and gave me a newfound appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes of professional networking events.
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from my experience that will continue to shape my career in Japan and beyond was the network I built throughout the internship. Through Chamber events, member interactions, and daily collaboration, I had the opportunity to connect with professionals from a variety of industries and backgrounds. These connections not only expanded my understanding of business in Japan but also helped me gain confidence in navigating an international professional environment.
Looking back, the DCCJ internship was one of the most impactful experiences of my time in Japan. It provided practical experience, meaningful responsibilities, and exposure to an international business network that would have been difficult to find elsewhere.
Christian Yuanzhe Wu
I applied to DCCJ because I wanted more international work experience while I was already in Japan on exchange from my university in Denmark. After another internship at the Embassy of Denmark in Singapore, I was curious to learn more about how Danish businesses operate in Asia and what a chamber of commerce actually does. The opportunity to support Danish companies while building a network in Japan made it an easy choice.
One of the things I appreciated most was how flexible the internship was. Much of the work could be done remotely, which fit well alongside university life. Anna gave us a great deal of trust and responsibility from the start, while always being understanding when studies came first. That level of autonomy taught me a lot about managing my own work and taking ownership of projects.
Most of my work centered on the DCCJ website, where I improved the user experience, worked on SEO, cleaned up outdated content, and fixed technical issues. I also explored ways to make better use of existing tools and streamline processes, alongside contributing to design work and improving resources for future interns. While I expected to learn technical skills, one of the biggest lessons was realizing that communicating the value of an idea is often just as important as building it.
A highlight of the internship was attending the Q2 Board of Directors meeting at Novo Nordisk's Tokyo headquarters. Anna gave us the opportunity to present our work to representatives from leading Danish companies in Japan, and it was a great chance to see how the Chamber works at a strategic level. Presenting in that setting also taught me the importance of being clear, concise, and focused on what matters most.
Outside of the day-to-day work, I enjoyed supporting DCCJ events and meeting people from across the Nordic business community. Those experiences helped me build connections and improved my social skills. I came in thinking it was about making introductions, but left realizing it is mostly about being curious and having genuine conversations.
Looking back, one of the biggest surprises was how much I gained simply by saying yes to opportunities beyond my assigned tasks. Combined with the experience of living in Japan, it made for an internship I would happily do again.
I would recommend this internship to anyone considering applying. You get meaningful responsibility from an early stage, the chance to work on a wide variety of projects, and an experience that fits well alongside studies or a gap year while living in Japan.
Thank you both, Ella and Christian, for everything you brought to DCCJ this season. We are now looking forward to welcoming our Autumn 2026 interns. If this sounds like something for you, applications for 2027 are already open.
You can find more details about our internship opportunities on our career page by clicking below:
or reach us at info@dccj.org.
