{"id":55633,"date":"2026-04-02T15:18:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:18:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tum-asia.edu.sg\/?p=55633"},"modified":"2026-04-02T15:22:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:22:01","slug":"from-rural-mobility-challenges-to-global-policy-haruhiko-yokotas-internship-experience-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tum-asia.edu.sg\/cn\/from-rural-mobility-challenges-to-global-policy-haruhiko-yokotas-internship-experience-in-france\/","title":{"rendered":"From Rural Mobility Challenges to Global Policy: Haruhiko Yokota\u2019s Internship Experience in France"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Haru ( 5th from left) with his classmates, lecturer and programme coordinator from TUM Asia\u2019s master programme in Rail and Urban Transport. (Photo source: Haruhiko Yokato)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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When considering a master\u2019s in Rail and Urban Transport, one key question often comes to mind: Where can this programme really take me?\n<\/i><\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor Haruhiko Yokota, now a second-year student at TUM Asia, the answer spans continents \u2014 from rural Japan to the global policy stage in Paris.

\n\nWith a background in Urban Systems, Haru\u2019s interest in transport began with a fascination for maps and urban structures. But it was a personal experience that gave his ambitions real direction.

\n\n\u201cAn elderly family member of mine lives in rural Japan, where public transport options are limited,\u201d he shares. \u201cThat made me think about how mobility challenges affect ageing societies \u2014 and how I could contribute to solving them.\u201d\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy Rail and Urban Transport at TUM Asia?<\/strong>

\n\nWhat stood out most to Haru was the programme\u2019s multidisciplinary nature.\n\u201cThe transport industry isn\u2019t just engineering,\u201d he explains. \u201cIt involves business, policy, and coordination between many stakeholders.\u201d

\n\nThis broader perspective was crucial for someone aiming to make large-scale societal impact. The programme\u2019s unique positioning \u2014 a German university based in Singapore \u2014 also offered an international learning environment that few alternatives could match.

\n\nLike many incoming students, he had concerns before enrolling, particularly about the financial commitment of leaving his job. Receiving the DAAD Scholarship helped ease that transition and allowed him to focus fully on his studies.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Haruhiko\u2019s internship at the International Transport Forum (ITF) under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris (Photo source: Haruhiko Yokota)<\/i><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From Singapore to Paris: Internship Journey at the OECD<\/strong>

<\/p>

Haru\u2019s internship journey eventually took him to the International Transport Forum (ITF) under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris \u2014 but getting there required clarity, persistence, and reflection.

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He applied to around five organisations, focusing on international and public-sector roles that would complement his studies rather than narrow his exposure too early. Each application required a tailored cover letter, which he found demanding but valuable.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cIt was a tedious process, but it forced me to think carefully about what I wanted to gain from the internship,\u201d he shares. \u201cRejections are part of the journey, so I didn\u2019t take them personally.\u201d<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAfter applying through the OECD\u2019s general internship pool, he was eventually matched with an opportunity supporting the ITF Summit \u2014 the world\u2019s largest annual gathering of transport stakeholders. His responsibilities include preparing briefings for industry leaders, contributing to discussions on mobility topics such as accessibility, and offering technical insights.\n\nThe experience has also immersed him in a highly international and intellectually engaging work culture.\n\n\u201cIn my team of 12, there are nine nationalities. Everyone is genuinely passionate about transport \u2014 even lunch conversations often turn into discussions about research.\u201d\nCrucially, his academic training at TUM Asia has enabled him to contribute with confidence.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u201cThe technical foundation from my studies helped me approach research with more depth,\u201d he explains. \u201cIt also allowed me to understand how technical knowledge is translated into policy-making frameworks.\u201d<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpanding Perspectives Beyond the Classroom<\/strong>

\n\nThrough his internship, Haru gained a much broader view of how the global transport industry operates. While his coursework at TUM Asia focused on technical areas such as infrastructure and system optimisation, the internship revealed how these elements fit into larger policy and decision-making frameworks.

\n\n\u201cTransport planning doesn\u2019t happen in isolation,\u201d he explains. \u201cThere are many layers behind how projects are initiated and implemented, and policy plays a key role in shaping that process.\u201d

\n\nWorking closely with stakeholders across the sector also introduced him to organisations and career paths he had not previously considered, expanding the possibilities for his future.

\n\nAt the same time, the experience deepened his understanding of institutions he once only knew academically. When he first joined TUM Asia, Haru referenced the OECD mainly as a source of global statistics in his DAAD scholarship application. Being part of the organisation has since changed that perspective.

\n\n\u201cNow I see the real impact the OECD has in shaping global discussions and policies,\u201d he says \u2014 a shift that reflects how his learning has evolved from theory to real-world insight.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAdvice for Future Students<\/strong>

\nFor those considering the programme, Haru emphasises curiosity and initiative.

\n\n\u201cStart exploring your options early \u2014 across different countries and organisations,\u201d he advises. \u201cThe more you research, the more opportunities you\u2019ll discover.\u201d

\n\nHe also encourages students to stay connected to real-world developments.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u201cThe industry is constantly evolving. Try to link what you learn in class to what\u2019s happening in reality \u2014 that\u2019s where the learning becomes meaningful.\u201d<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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And perhaps most importantly:
\u201cEnjoy your time in Singapore \u2014 you never know where the programme might take you next.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInterested in shaping the future of mobility? Discover how TUM Asia\u2019s Master\u2019s in Rail and Urban Transport<\/a> can take you there and start your journey today.<\/b>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover how Haruhiko Yokato, a second-year student in TUM Asia\u2019s Rail and Urban Transport programme, turned his passion for solving mobility challenges into a global internship at the OECD in Paris. From navigating a competitive internship application process to contributing to international transport policy discussions, his journey highlights how TUM Asia\u2019s multidisciplinary curriculum equips students with both technical expertise and real-world perspective. Explore how studying in Singapore can open doors to global career opportunities in the transport industry.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":55636,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTUM Asia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore how a TUM Asia Rail and Urban Transport student secured an internship at the OECD in Paris. Learn about the programme\u2019s multidisciplinary approach, internship opportunities, and global career pathways in transport and mobility.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/tum-asia.edu.sg\/cn\/from-rural-mobility-challenges-to-global-policy-haruhiko-yokotas-internship-experience-in-france\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"zh_CN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Haruhiki Yokota\u2019s Internship Experience in France | TUM Asia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Explore how a TUM Asia Rail and Urban Transport student secured an internship at the OECD in Paris. 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