- July 16, 2026
Medical Student Elective Program Winter Season 2026–2027
Gain practical clinical experience and exposure within a fast-paced international healthcare environment.
Niseko International Clinic (NIC) is seeking motivated senior medical students to join our winter elective program and experience frontline seasonal medicine within a fast-paced multicultural healthcare environment.
Located in the heart of Niseko, Hokkaido, our clinic provides care to a high volume of international visitors and seasonal workers throughout the winter season, with a particular focus on acute snowsport injuries, urgent care, and general outpatient medicine.
Students will have the unique opportunity to observe and support experienced international healthcare professionals while gaining exposure to diverse patient presentations, cultural healthcare differences, and winter sports medicine.
This is a structured clinical elective rather than a holiday program, and participants should expect a professional commitment comparable to a full-time clinical placement.
Elective Overview
Program: Medical Student Winter Elective
Location: Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Clinic: Niseko International Clinic (NIC)
Program Period: Winter Season 2026–2027
Elective Duration
Only 1 or 2 placements are available in each 7 week session. Applicants must select one of the following placement periods:
- Placement One : 1 Dec 2026 – 19 January 2027
- Placement Two : 21 January 2027 – 11 March 2027
Working Schedule
- Approximately 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- 4–5 days per week (shift-based)
- The clinic operates 7 days per week throughout the winter season.
- There are no public holidays
Please note:
- Punctual attendance is essential
- Orientation attendance is mandatory
- Due to the short duration and structured nature of the elective, participants are expected to be available for the entire placement period and requests for leave cannot be accommodated.
Learning Objectives
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Gain exposure to international healthcare systems and clinical workflows
- Develop cross-cultural communication and patient care skills
- Observe and assist in the management of acute winter sports injuries
- Experience healthcare delivery within a fast-paced seasonal clinic environment
- Work alongside multidisciplinary international medical professionals
- Improve confidence in patient interaction, clinical support, and teamwork
Clinical Experience & Responsibilities
Students will assist doctors and clinical staff across both the main NIC clinic and the Hirafu Mountain clinic. Due to the nature of the winter season, participants can expect significant exposure to acute snowsport injuries, fracture management, musculoskeletal assessment, urgent care presentations, and travel medicine.
Responsibilities may include:
- Shadowing physicians during consultations and procedures
- Assisting with patient examinations and clerical support
- Supporting splinting and basic first aid procedures
- Assisting with X-ray positioning and patient preparation
- Assisting with patient history taking and language support where appropriate
- Assisting with patient education and process explanations
- Supporting day-to-day clinic operations within a multidisciplinary team environment
- Observing and, where appropriate, supporting patient transport activities under supervision.
Please note that responsibilities and clinical exposure may vary depending on patient volume, experience level, and clinic requirements.
Eligibility & Application Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be senior medical students (final-year level or equivalent)
- Have completed core clinical rotations
- Have completed an orthopaedic rotation
- Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Have an interest in sports medicine, emergency medicine, and multicultural healthcare
- Be comfortable working within a busy international clinical environment
Required application documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter outlining:
- what you hope to learn
- why you are interested in the program
- how you plan to apply the experience in future practice
- Official recommendation letter from your medical school
- Vaccination record
Please note:
- Seasonal influenza vaccination is mandatory and must be completed at least two weeks prior to arrival.
Program Fee
A non-refundable program registration fee of ¥50,000 is required to confirm placement and contribute towards administrative processing, onboarding, and program coordination.
Accommodation
As at 1 July 2026, NIC is unable to offer accommodation for participants in the 2026/2027 Medical Student Winter Elective.
While we continue to explore accommodation options, applicants must be prepared to source and secure their own accommodation should this become necessary.
Please note that Niseko experiences a severe shortage of winter accommodation, and suitable housing can be difficult and expensive to obtain. We advise applicants to research potential options before applying.
Transportation & Daily Living
- Public transportation expenses are not reimbursed
- Private vehicle parking is not available at the clinic or accommodation
- Lunch is not provided
- Participants should plan to bring meals each day, as lunch options are limited near the clinic
Additional Information
- A clinic uniform will be provided
- Pre-departure preparation materials will be provided prior to arrival, including:
- cross-cultural healthcare communication
- introduction to winter sports injuries
- clinic workflow expectations
About Niseko International Clinic (NIC)
Niseko International Clinic is located in the heart of Niseko, one of Japan’s leading international ski destinations. Operating year-round, NIC provides comprehensive medical care for both local residents and visitors, with a strong focus on emergency medicine, sports injuries, and general outpatient care.
Our multilingual team of doctors, nurses, and support staff are experienced in caring for patients from around the world in a fast-paced international environment. During the winter season, we regularly treat acute snowsport injuries, respiratory illnesses, infections, and other common travel-related medical concerns.
NIC is equipped with on-site X-ray, laboratory testing, and minor procedure capabilities, and works closely with local hospitals and specialists when advanced care is required.
Our mission is to provide fast, professional, and compassionate medical care — helping patients recover quickly and return safely to enjoying their time in the mountains.
Apply
If you are dedicated to learning and looking for a unique opportunity to gain clinical exposure within an international winter medicine environment, we would love to hear from you.
Applications for the 2026–2027 Medical Student Elective Program are now open.
APPLY HERE –