Tag Archives: Tokyo

Danieli Acuat

Peach picking with other interns after attempting to see Mount Fuji

NAME: Danieli Acuat

MAJOR: Business Administration/Management

PROGRAM: Global Internships SSA: Sungkyunkwan University ; Global Internship: Tokyo, Japan: The Intern Group via ISEP Summer 2024, Summer 2025

EMAIL:  danieli.acuat@sjsu.edu

BIO:

My name is Dani, and I’m a third year Business Management major. I studied abroad at SKKU during the Summer of 2024 and completed a 6-week internship in Japan in the Summer of 2025. Since I was born and raised in the Philippines, moving to the U.S. already felt like a study-abroad experience for me. Even though I had just immigrated, I wanted to take it a step further by immersing myself in another culture. 

Studying abroad had always been one of my goals since high school because I wanted to experience how it would be like to live independently, as I had always lived at home and commuted to school. I often told myself, “I can travel in the future, but when will I ever again have the chance to study abroad?”

In the summer of 2024, I studied abroad in South Korea as a “test run,” and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience. Later on, I discovered that internships abroad were also possible. This gave me a new opportunity, not only to live in another country, but also to experience a different work culture firsthand. It was perfect, since I wanted to learn Japanese and also explore which country would be the best option for me to study abroad for a full semester.

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

One of my biggest goals was to become more independent and experience what it’s like to live in a different environment for a long period of time. Since I have always lived at home, I wanted to experience what it would be like to live with other people and step outside of my comfort zone. For me, it meant being open to new and sometimes uncomfortable situations, something as simple as sharing bathrooms with others pushed me to adapt and helped me grow in ways I hadn’t before.

Another goal of mine was to improve my Korean and Japanese language skills, or simply to learn a new language in general. I wanted to apply what I studied in the classroom, since I believe people learn more quickly and effectively when immersed in the environment and culture itself. I found that I was able to practice this more in Japan, as people spoke to me in Japanese, whereas in Korea, most responded in English.

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

The biggest impact my study abroad and internship experience had on me was being able to immerse myself in a different culture, and most importantly, build meaningful relationships. It allowed me to learn new things that I never would have discovered just by searching online. (I got tons of recommendations for food spots!)

The interactions I had with my coworkers gave me new perspectives and challenged me to adapt to different social dynamics. At first, it was difficult to join their conversations since I was shy and the youngest among them, but with their support, I was able to adapt, build confidence, and communicate better and more effectively in the end. 

One of the most rewarding parts of the experience is that I still keep in touch with everyone in the company, including the CEO, which shows how valuable and lasting those relationships have become.

 ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?

In Korea, I took a Beginner Korean Language course that fulfilled 2 elective units. Since it was a summer session, I only chose to take one class, which was held in the afternoons.

In Japan, I interned full-time in Business Operations at a food tour company, working from 10 a.m to 6 p.m, Monday through Friday. Even though it seems like it leaves little room for exploring, I actually found that I was able to do a lot more in Japan than Korea. I became more productive, started my days earlier, and even had extra free time during holidays. 

This experience taught me that academic and professional growth isn’t just about completing tasks or checking items off a list as it is about focusing on the quality of work I produce and the impact it has. During my internship, I initially thought that everything was easy and laid-back, but over time I realized that I wasn’t fully considering other perspectives until I received feedback. This encouraged me to reflect and improve my approach to work, not just by finishing tasks, but by actively seeking ways to refine and add value to my work.

 CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience?

Throughout my internship experience, I was able to significantly improve my presentation skills, which had been one of my biggest weaknesses. I had the opportunity to present twice in the company to propose my plan and to share my final results. As a business major, this was essentially helpful, as I can now use these skills in class presentations and any group projects. This experience became a stepping stone for me in gaining confidence to work in professional settings as well as preparing me for future opportunities. 

In addition, I was able to learn useful Japanese phrases through daily interactions. I often looked them up on the spot, such as situations like ordering food, which helped me retain what I learned.  

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?

Being immersed in another culture and environment significantly opened up my perspective even more. I learned the importance of learning the community’s practices ahead of time and understanding cultural differences. I realized that people grow up with different perspectives due to the environment and people they are surrounded with, so it is important to approach interactions with respect, openness, and a willingness to learn from others.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future?

Studying and interning abroad broadened my perspective of the world and helped develop my adaptability and communication skills. This experience gave me the opportunity to explore new fields and gain international exposure. By meeting people from different backgrounds, I was able to gain insights from cultures all over the world, which deepened my understanding of global perspectives.

Most importantly, my summer study abroad and internship experience has prepared me in getting ready for a semester long study abroad!

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans?

Dream big and don’t be scared to step out of your comfort zone!

Dionato Pautin

Graduating from Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea.

NAME: Dionato Pautin

MAJOR: Business Admin/Mgmt Information Systems

PROGRAM: Global Internships – Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea – SSA, Tokyo, Japan – The Intern Group Summer 2024, Summer 2025

EMAIL: dionato.pautin@sjsu.edu

BIO:

My name is Dion and I am a third year student pursuing a degree in Management Information Systems. For years I have always consumed media about other countries, immersing myself in different cultures, and learning their practices. Ever since I learned what the world had to offer, I have always wanted to travel and explore countries other than my own. When a friend told me about SJSU’s Study Abroad Program I was blown away. The program had so many options and it was also affordable. For me, it was a no-brainer to take a leap of faith and finally go overseas. Traveling is something I love  and to be able to develop my academic and professional career while doing it makes me love it even more.

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

I saw studying abroad as a great way to develop myself academically as well as professionally. For me, I wanted to network with people from around the world, engage in student culture, and experience a work environment different from the United States. However, personally, I just wanted to travel. Before studying abroad, I had never stepped foot outside the country, giving me the drive to explore and wanting to see what the world had to offer.    

 PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you? The biggest impact my time abroad had on me was adapting in a fast paced environment. From stepping into the professional field to embracing a new culture, I became more confident in my ability to learn quickly and adjust to new challenges.

 ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad? When studying abroad in South Korea, I took a beginner’s language course in Korean. Learning a language in its native country is very different from learning it on your own. In Korea, I could instantly apply what I learned by interacting with locals and reading signage. This in turn also made the class more engaging and fun.

 CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience?

This was not only my first time interning abroad but my first time being an intern in general. As someone who had never stepped foot in a professional environment it felt overwhelming at first, especially since I was overseas. However, as time went by I started becoming more comfortable. My coworkers taught me so many things both professionally and culturally. Not only did I learn how to be productive in a professional working environment, but I learned so much about other people from around the world. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world? When studying abroad in South Korea, I took a beginner’s language course in Korean. Learning a language in its native country is very different from learning it on your own. In Korea, I could instantly apply what I learned by interacting with locals and reading signage. This in turn also made the class more engaging and fun.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future? Studying and interning abroad prepared me superbly for the future. It taught me how to communicate with others in different countries and how to embrace different cultures. Most importantly, it taught me how to adapt.

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans?  

Some advice I would give to a future Global Spartan is to learn some of the culture and language of the country you want to go to. Navigating the country can also be stressing so being prepared with the local currency is a must. A little research on the country’s systems and how others respect each other go a long way. Most importantly, have fun, meet new people, and embrace what the country has to offer.

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.

 

Ryan Huynh

Ryan Huynh

MAJOR: Business Admin/Business Analytics

PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Okayama University, Japan

EMAIL: ryan.huynh02@sjsu.edu

BIO: I chose to study abroad for a variety of reasons. One of my main reasons for choosing to do this program was that I wanted to explore the world and do some soul searching in a sense. Doing things like living by myself, paying bills, and going to classes. Plus I get to learn how a country, such as Japan, operates and learn how to traverse it. Another reason why I choose to study abroad is that its been a life dream to study abroad in either a different state or country

LEADER, VOLUNTEER, OR JOB EXPERIENCES: I’ve done a lot of traveling and volunteer projects which I would say greatly contributed to my leadership abilities. I’ve taken a class where we spent a weekend participating and helping the locals perform the Tottori, Misasa festival. During the festival we would help the locals with each and every part of the preparation of the festival. Such as, preparing the driftwood, making “ties”, and assisting fellow participants with what to do in order to finish the preparations of the festival in time. For traveling with friends I would be the main person figuring out how to get to a certain destination. My friends would give me places they wanted to go to and I would be the one to figure how and when to go. For example, the address, which train to take, how long, etc.

GOALS: My main goal for studying abroad was learning how the country of Japan operates, both in the city and in the rural parts of Japan. Which I think now I have a very good understanding of the history, culture, and why its the way it currently is. Another goal they I’m really glad I learned was how to learn and adapt to visiting/living in another country. Since I’ve never lived in another country, outside of USA, for very long I wondered if I would have been able to adapt.

At a shrine in Kyoto

ACADEMICS: Extremely different compared to how academics works in USA, in Japan the first term is rather easy. With many holiday breaks and 3 day weekends. However, their is no break between 1st and 2nd term plus the pacing of the classes drastically changed. Instead of one chapter per week it was more like 1 chapter every 2 days. The main courses I took was introduction to Japanese 1, Reading and writing 1, and Comparative politics for both terms, except for Comparative politics which I only took for 1 term.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: My experience has greatly impacted my perspectives of the world because of all the connections I made with people from Burmese, Europe, Korea, and Japan. I have a completely different view of the world compared to when I only really lived in the states. Like their are so many benefits that countries such as Japan or Poland that we Americans have to pay for, but at the same time there are many things that at least for me living in Silicon Valley that I’m really grateful for. Such as the power of the USD and very high minimum wages compared to the rest of the world.

CAREER: One of the main skills I learned during my study abroad experience is how to plan. For example, when planning a trip to Osaka, Tokyo, etc. in order for efficient use of time and Maximum fun.

PERSONAL GROWTH: The biggest impact that this experience had on me was a combination of finding what I wanted to do with my life and making meaningful connections with people abroad. Living by myself and making new friends have really made me realize what I am capable of and what I would like my future to look like.

IDENTITIES: Being an mainly international student really changed the way Japanese people would approach me. First I have a tattoo so its one of 2 things; I’m either a yakuza member or a foreigner so Japanese people find it hard to approach me.

FUTURE: Studying abroad has prepared to meeting new people from all over the world, regardless of gender, race, religion, or nationality. Plus I’ve learned how to travel into a completely new country and figuring out how to navigate any particular country with minimal issues.

TIPS: I would advise future Global Spartans to take a chance, it might be the best choice of your life. But do balance between School work and Having fun.

Alexey Kolechkin

Alexey Kolechkin

Alexey Kolechkin
Major: Finance
Term Abroad: Fall 2022 and Spring 2023
Program / Location: SJSU Exchange Sophia University, Tokyo Japan
IG: @alexey.kolechkin

Why did you want to study abroad? 
I’ve been interested in Japanese culture ever since taking Japanese language classes in high school, so I wanted to experience living in Japan firsthand, improve my language abilities, and meet lots of new people.

What has been your most surprising, positive, or challenging experience abroad?
Realizing how much money I’ve been spending, which is ironic considering that living in Japan is fairly cheap right now since the dollar is so strong compared to the yen. But since I go out a lot, whether it’s exploring/traveling or shopping or just hanging out with friends, I end up spending a lot of money on experiences. It’s not something I regret, since thankfully I have enough savings to cover it and I’m making lots of great memories, but it is something I will have to keep in check later on.

Any advice to potential study abroad students?
Seek growth and learning through discomfort. Living abroad for an extended period of time can be scary and challenging, but it’s one of the best opportunities for growth and self-development that you will ever have in your life, so take advantage of it and go somewhere exciting!

How are you managing your academic success abroad during the pandemic?
I minimized the amount of classes I’m taking so that I could put more focus on each one while dealing with the challenges of studying abroad. There is almost always something new that pops up that I have to deal with, or exciting experiences or events that I want to participate in, so I realized I had to take a lighter course load to have time for everything and still be able to succeed academically, as well as succeed in my other goals.

What are some ways that you are interacting with the local community ?
I’ve made friends with several Japanese students and they’ve shown me around different parts of Tokyo and taken me to places like restaurants, bars, karaoke, observatories, shrines, and temples. Having local connections really helps to better integrate with the local community because they show me how to act, speak, and what is considered acceptable and not acceptable.

What are some tips for managing your health and safety while traveling during the pandemic?
Take the normal precautions as you would anywhere else; wear a mask, wash your hands, try to avoid crowds if you can, and make smart choices