Individual Reflection-Japan Immersion
Benjamin Franklin said once, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” This summer I had the opportunity to invest in my professional knowledge as an international business woman, and I agree that such investment will pay the best interest. I participated in the Japan immersion program from the College of Business which allowed me to grow as a professional by expanding my perspective on the difficult process of starting a business in a foreign country in which you are not familiar with. Additionally, I developed a greater ability to adapt to a different culture beyond my already current adaptability as an international student. And Finally, I understood the process of preparation for doing international business to be well-informed of their culture and how to incorporate it as a competitive advantage when trying to do business with them.
First, the immersion program contributed to my professional development by allowing me to be confident in the future to be chosen as the lead or a member team to start a business in a foreign country. During the immersion, I was introduced to the ideologies and strategies foreign companies develop to bring their product to the United States, and the Resources that are available for those companies, as well as foreign companies wanting to start a business in Japan. For example for United States companies wanting to start to do business within the Japanese market they have resources such as Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), an independent government agency designed to help navigate international companies with the regulations and tax laws of countries around the world needed to succeed on an international business. In addition there is also the opportunity of partnering with Japanese companies to learn about the specific market from the insiders. In addition, some research parks corporations, like the Kyoto Research Park, to which I was able to visit during the Immersion, provide companies with Office spaces, safety, amenities, and support for startup business that can be beneficial for foreign companies. Starting a business can be difficult, but starting a business in other country it’s even harder. Thus, having
Japan has a very rich and unique culture, unlike any other culture in the world. The Japanese are close and united, and willing to help each other, to the point that they would even risk their lives for one another. Their culture has certain aspects of it that every nation should have. In his book, John Hersey explores the effects that culture and environment have on an individual’s views and belief through analyzing a stereotypical Japanese man, an Americanized Japanese priest, and a widowed Japanese woman and how they react similarly to the bombing of Hiroshima. The influence of Japanese culture has an astounding impact on the reactions of Hersey’s characters.
Cultural immersion is an essential part of the education experience. It has been used throughout time to allow people to understand those whose ideas and beliefs differ from their own. The experiences gained through immersing in an unfamiliar culture allow the mind to grow in ways that are beyond comprehension. Because our nation is advancing, and merging ides from other cultures, this process is more important than ever. Cynthia Kratzke and Melissa Bertolo (2013) state that if we only teach concepts and language from other cultures we are limiting the ability of future generations to be able to work with other cultures (p.1). Cultural immersion is a way for one to reach a new insight they may not have otherwise gained. Jesus Nieto (2006) says there are main goals to these experiences: 1) to interact with people of a different culture 2) to gain insight into aspects of others 3) to be of a minority group in a setting 4) to gain a new perspective on one’s own beliefs and values (p. 77).
Before you know it, spending enough time in a country that is foreign to you, with their custom surrounding you everyday, you will realize you are one with the culture. Heidi Julavits’, “Turning Japanese” entertains the reader with her story and experience after college. Julavits graduated from Dartmouth during the Gulf War when recession was prominent and the feeling of uncertainty was common throughout. Because of the ambiguity of her future, she decided to travel to Japan and teach English, in search of self-awareness.
Lessons learned nearly 7,500 miles from home not only changed my perspective but it also drove my search for knowledge. Japan changed my idea of what a “good life” is and taught me the importance of being a contributing factor of a larger community, which is something I would like to exemplify at the University of Florida. Using the outside knowledge I have gained through my cultural and academic experience, I hope to effectively use my time at your campus to further broaden this perspective even further through the limitless resources and educational opportunities the university has to
There are significant cultural differences between Japan and the United Kingdom that need to be taken into account when doing international business. There are also a number of methods and systems by which these differences have been described. These include the Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions, Trompenaars seven dimensions of culture and the Globe Project's cultural dimensions. This paper will discuss these differences and similarities, and shed light as to the best approach to international business in these countries.
Brandeis’ Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program truly encompasses what it is to be aware. Aware of how technology forms a huge part of the modern world, aware of our past and sociological patterns, aware of our physical environment and how humans affect it, and aware of our cultural diversity. In the process of transitioning into college, I would like to challenge and prepare myself for what is to come as a Brandeis University International Business student and as a social activist of our world. I understand that to have a business function on a global scale, one must be able to deal with technology and be able to reap the benefits it brings. Initially, I plan to start small, a local business, but then I plan to expand my business overseas via web. When economically feasible, I will expand the
While my passions lie in studying the international arena, I have never traveled abroad or experienced culture outside the United States and Canada. This program would greatly assist my personal growth by developing my cultural awareness and marketability in the workforce. In order to pursue a career in the international arena, an experience abroad is essential because the unique skill set that is developed. Some of these skills are: developing strategic thinking, open-mindedness, and problem solving skills in a way that I will not develop fully in the classroom
I was introduced to the JET Programme during the University of Kent’s Careers & Employability Festival. This opened up the possibility of gaining first-hand cultural experience of Japan while also developing valuable skills relevant to my desired career path. I am currently undertaking a formal Japanese language course to help strengthen my application and ensure I am a suitable candidate.
I spent a few of my engagement hours spending time with the students from the Digital Hollywood University. I learned quite a lot while engaging with them, discussing all sorts of things from generic cultural and religious rituals done in Japan and education to the Yakuza and evolutionary history. What I most enjoyed from this experience was the level of understanding; the understanding of intercultural differences between me and the students. We didn’t go over a lot of expressions, but I learned several things that are commonly done in Japan. For instance, I learned that people are always busy and they like to keep to themselves and I learned how to make authentic teriyaki salmon with udon noodles which I practiced cooking over thanksgiving break.
Many Chief Executive Officers and top management teams of giant corporations, within North America, Europe, and Japan, acknowledge that providing the correct training model is the most vital challenge that they are challenged with today. They are mindful that it has become even worse during the past decade to identify internationalization strategies and to choose which countries to execute business with. Nevertheless, most companies have stuck to strategies they have conventionally used, which emphasize standardized approaches to new markets while sometimes experimenting with a few twists locally.
Fast forward 10 years, and I see myself sitting around a table with people from nay countries and endeavoring to reach a resolution. Although this career in international is important, I hope to balance my life between my career and other meaningful life experiences like developing deep companionships, travel, culture and giving back to the community. Because preparing for a meaningful life will result in preparing for a more focused and successful career. I enjoy being able to challenge new circumstances and therefore, it is my hope that my undergraduate education will offer me the opportunity to enhance my academic knowledge and qualifications and a variety of experiences both with the confines of the university and outside of the university.
Opportunity to travel abroad: traveling to another country enables you to get a complete picture of the culture, it also helps to enhance your interpersonal skills as well as your communication skills and it enables you to appreciate new customs. (San Diego State University, n.d.)
This paper provided an opportunity to take a deeper look into the country of Japan by conducting a Global Cultural Analysis. Throughout this paper the following four research areas were explored: 1.What is the major elements and dimensions of culture in Japan? 2. How are these elements and dimensions integrated by locals conducting business in Japan? 3. How does U.S. culture and business compare with the elements and dimensions of culture integrated by the locals conducting business in Japan? 4. What are the implications for U.S. businesses that wish to conduct business with Japan?
One of the most important facets for a successful business in the twenty-first century is how it communicates with their customers, partners, suppliers and governments from different countries and cultures from around the world. For a business to operate with any modicum of success in Japan, you must possess a basic understand of how their society functions. As a result of learning about the geography, climate, history, religion, cultural rituals, politics, education system, and the role of the family; it will allow a business or business person the insight needed to understand how society functions and the method in which business is conducted.
The Cultural aspects of international business course has helped me to discover new perspectives and taught me to look at things through