Leavey Ambassadors Program Blogs

This past summer, I was fortunate to experience working full time in a foreign country. I interned at the executive recruiting firm, Optia Partners located in the heart of Tokyo, Japan. My two bosses – Steven and Stephen, colleagues, and two fellow interns at Optia Partners made my whole experience very fulfilling and fun, allowing me to apply my skills and passions in unexpected and novel ways. 

During my internship, I was introduced to business etiquette and conventions in a  Japanese work environment. This included the formalities of exchanging business cards (or meishi as they're called in Japanese); introducing myself in an interview or formal business situation; learning business basic vocabulary, expressions and manners when visiting a company. Most importantly, I was able to gain vital professional experience and industry exposure on a global level, developed long-lasting connections in Tokyo.  I also developed lifetime relationships with my two fellow interns and other program participants. My business courses, specifically MGMT 80 – “The Global and Cultural Environment of Business” prepared me to the navigate the linguistic barriers, recognize and adapt to various cultural differences, which ultimately helped me to successfully work internationally. At the end of my internship I was awarded the “Optia Internship Award” for the most sales pitch phone calls and phone appointment calls of all the 2018 Interns. 

Aside from my internship, I learned how to make sushi; visited Tsukiji biggest fish market in the world (Tsukiji fish market): rode the seventh-highest roller coaster in the world at Fuji-Q Highland theme park; attended Japan’s biggest and the most famous outdoor music festival (Fuji Rock), visited the Genbaku Dome - the only structure left standing in the area where the first atomic bomb; stayed in a capsule hotel; visited the world busiest train station in the world (Shinjuku station); made a custom cup of instant ramen at the Cup Noodles museum. Overall, the 8 weeks I spent living, working, learning, and growing in Tokyo was truly a life changing experience.