Tag Archives: Business Admin/International Business

Kai Lim

Kai Lim

MAJOR: Business Admin/International Business

PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Sophia University, Japan

EMAIL: kai.lim@sjsu.edu

BIO: As someone who was born in Tokyo and has family over there, I share a strong connection with the city and Japan overall. I want to pursue a career in international business, which may involve long-term travel and interaction with diverse groups of people. Thus, I felt Tokyo to be a more than suitable location for my study abroad.

LEADER, VOLUNTEER, OR JOB EXPERIENCES: I have had two internships and two jobs, one in Tokyo! I was also the Service chair for my fraternity right before I left for exchange. Now I am the Alumni Relations chair for the same fraternity.

GOALS: I was hoping to be more immersed in Tokyo, to experience the life of being a student in Japan. I wanted to explore as many facets of Japan as I could. I was immersed in the fashion, the trendy areas, the local areas, food, nightlife, and general lifestyle. I wanted to make friends from all over, so that when I do further traveling in my own time, I can have points of contact during my travels. The goal was to make lifelong friends, and experience new experiences in Tokyo with them.

Yukata day at Sophia University. We boarded the booze cruise soon after

ACADEMICS: I would say the academics in Japan are easier, as their system has it so that middle and high school are intense, while university is more relaxed (much to the opposite of the United States).I did not want to take a heavy course load so that I can enjoy my time in Japan as much as I could, which I achieved. I even took another Japanese class, which met 5 days a week. I could have taken 2 business classes but I chose Japanese due to myself wanting further immersion.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: It makes me understand more that while every culture has different behaviors and mindsets, people are people at the end of the day. A German likes to party as much as a Brazilian, and a Japanese student likes to hang out and go to cafes like any other American, The world seems so different and vast, but we really are similar.

CAREER: I understood what mannerisms + behaviors are applicable to most people globally. I can just about converse with anyone from many different backgrounds. I figured out how to maintain global friendships.

PERSONAL GROWTH: So much of myself changed due to the study abroad program. I became more social than ever, and living on your own in a different country makes you a more independent individual. Creating friendships from scratch.

IDENTITIES: Being Asian American, especially half Japanese is an interesting dynamic in Japan. In Japan, to be truly Japanese, you need to be a part of the culture, to have grown inside it and understand the niche jokes of the generations.

FUTURE: It helped me a lot with independence and connecting.

TIPS: Talk to as much people as possible. DO Live in a share house with MANY other people. CONGREGATE in the lounge to make friends, and SAY YES to spontaneous adventures.

 

Mikhail Benitez

Mikhail Benitez

MAJOR: Business Admin/International Business

PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Sophia University, Japan

EMAIL: mikhailhumphrey.benitez@sjsu.edu

BIO: Hi, I’m Mikhail Benitez, and I spent a year studying abroad at Sophia University in Japan. I decided to take on this challenge to immerse myself in a culture that had always intrigued me. Although I had always been fascinated by Japan, living there never seemed like a real possibility – especially since I had never even visited the country before. When I discovered SJSU’s study abroad program, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to experience life in Japan firsthand. It would push me out of my comfort zone, help me grow personally, and allow me to form connections with people from around the world. That’s why I chose to study abroad.

LEADER, VOLUNTEER, OR JOB EXPERIENCES: I’ve never been in any leadership roles but I’ve done a bit of community service before. The only job experience I’ve had is a part-time barista job.

GOALS: My goals for studying abroad were to grow personally and to immerse myself in a new culture. Looking back, I feel accomplished both. I became more confident and greatly improved my self-efficacy. I also learned to be more social, forming friendships with people I never expected. Studying abroad also pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and helped me become more independent. I learned to explore Tokyo alone, to handle paying my bills on time, and solving problems that arise.

A photo I took while surfing in Chiba with friends. The waves were bigger than I expected.

ACADEMICS: I was enrolled in a Japanese language class and business classes, and while the experience was rewarding overall, the first few days were challenging. One of the key challenges of studying abroad is managing your time effectively. I had to find a balance between studying for my courses and making time to explore Tokyo with friends. I didn’t want to spend all my time studying, but I also didn’t want to neglect my academic responsibilities. To stay on track, I wrote down everything I needed to do and carefully managed my time. This approach had a significant positive impact on my academics, allowing me to succeed in my classes while still enjoying my time in Tokyo.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: My study abroad experience significantly broadened my perspective of the world. Immersing myself in the culture of my host country gave me a deeper appreciation for its traditions, values, and way of life. By participating in cultural events and taking language classes at my host university, I connected with the local community and gained insight into everyday life that I wouldn’t have learned as a tourist. Meeting other international students was also a great experience. Learning about their home countries, their customs, and their unique experiences opened my eyes to the diversity of the world. The interaction I had with them motivated me to travel more and explore other cultures firsthand. It was through these conversations that I realized just how small my perspective of the world has been. Studying abroad helped me understand that there is so much more to learn and experience beyond my own familiar surroundings, and it fuels my curiosity to continue broadening my worldview.

CAREER: My study abroad experience significantly broadened my perspective of the world. Immersing myself in the culture of my host country gave me a deeper appreciation for its traditions, values, and way of life. By participating in cultural events and taking language classes at my host university, I connected with the local community and gained insight into everyday life that I wouldn’t have learned as a tourist.

Meeting other international students was also a great experience. Learning about their home countries, their customs, and their unique experiences opened my eyes to the diversity of the world. The interaction I had with them motivated me to travel more and explore other cultures firsthand. It was through these conversations that I realized just how small my perspective of the world has been. Studying abroad helped me understand that there is so much more to learn and experience beyond my own familiar surroundings, and it fuels my curiosity to continue broadening my worldview.

PERSONAL GROWTH: Studying in Japan had a big impact on me, especially in building my confidence. Naturally, I’m a shy and quiet person, and approaching others to introduce myself was something I rarely did. I struggled with low self-confidence and self-efficacy, though I wasn’t sure why. Before leaving for Japan, I made it a goal to work on that. While there, I faced situations that were challenging and uncomfortable. In the past, I would have avoided them, but those experiences ultimately helped me grow. Reflecting on it now, I feel that I made all the right choices, and I returned more confident than when I left.

FUTURE: My experience abroad has equipped me to handle challenging situations more effectively. Moving to a foreign country can feel overwhelming, with so much new information coming at you all at once. During my first few days in Tokyo, I faced several struggles – figuring out how to get an IC card, learning how to navigate buses and trains, and adjusting to living alone in a foreign country. It was intimidating, but it forced me to adapt and grow.

TIPS: My advice to future Global Spartans is to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the challenges that may seem intimidating. Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity for personal growth, as well as for creating lifelong memories with new friends. Don’t hesitate to put yourself out there and fully enjoy the experience. Many of the students I met were initially shy, but by the end of their time abroad, they had gained confidence and were thriving in Japan. So, be bold. Approach your study abroad journey with the goal of having no regrets when its over and you won’t be disappointed.

Jessica Tran

NAME: Jessica Tran
MAJOR: ‘Business Admin/International Business
PROGRAM: South Korea, SJSU Exchange – Kyungpook National University
EMAIL: jessica.t.tran01@sjsu.edu

 

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?
Reflect on the personal, academic, and professional goals that you had set out to achieve on your study abroad experience?

My goals when studying abroad was learning and experiencing how life is like in another country, as it would be much different than the US. I also wanted to become independent and learn how to care for myself.

PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?

I think the biggest impact that my study abroad experience had on me was the independence of taking care of myself. As I was born and raised here, I never was away from my family, and I would have never been able to experience it until most likely after graduation. Going to South Korea all by myself, with no friends or family members with me, was the best thing I decided to do. Being able to navigate my way around a country I have never been to, and the fact that I hardly know the language I find is amazing. Also I believe that since I was there alone, I was able to find myself and take the time to care for myself, which I do not always have the time and opportunity for myself here.

ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?
Share what courses you chose to take abroad and the strategies you used to ensure your academic success. How has the experience impacted your academics now that you have returned to SJSU?
I took 2 business courses and 2 GE courses, in order to pass you need to do assignments and study for exams. However, you must not be absent over 8 classes or you will fail the course.
CAREER: What skills did you learn/sharpen during your study abroad experience?
Reflect on how your study abroad experience and the skills, knowledge, or networking has enhanced or contributed to your life back on campus or home.

Since every country is different, figuring out how to have the ability to adapt and adjust accordingly would be a great skill to learn. Also since most other countries do not have their main language as English, learning and going through the obstacles of interacting and communicating with the people there in their native language. Also since I knew no one and had no friends, I had to get out of my shell and befriend natives and other foreigners. I never really made friends in my classes in SJSU, but after coming back, I have seen myself interacting and networking with more people. It also made me realize how lucky we are to be attending a university in the US. Foreign students have to take English exams to see if they qualify to study abroad in the US. While for us, we can apply much easier as the schools abroad offer courses taught in English and there is no need to be proficient at their main language.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?
Reflect on the opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture and/or at your host university. How did your immersion in a new culture change your perspective on the world or your future?
I think it really gets you out there, since I basically threw myself into a country where English is not the main language. It allows you to learn how adapt and take care of yourself.
FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future?

Studying abroad allowed me to become more prepared for my future. I am now confident in being able to live by myself, putting myself out there and ask people for help, my communicating and networking skills have strengthened, and most importantly taking care of my wellbeing. Also learned how to budgeting my spendings, which I would say was the hardest one handle while abroad.

TIPS: What advice would you give to a future Global Spartan?

Advice I would give a future Global Spartan is to not bring as much luggage. It was mentioned multiple times in the orientation and the meeting, but when packing I felt like I needed to bring a lot of things. In reality, I brought many things I did not need. Knowing a little of the language before hand would come in handy, although a good amount of people would probably be able to help you even if you do not know the language. Also know which apps to download before arriving to your study abroad location, as you will be using those apps on a daily basis.