NUCB Insight
Many thanks to Kaja Dahl Svarva (from Norway) and Ida Lehtinen (from Finland) for agreeing to be interviewed by NUCB on their exchange experiences. They told us about their time in Japan, why they came to study here, and what made the biggest impression on them…
NUCB: Thanks for the interview, I know you’ve got exams later today! So, first question - why did you choose NUCB for your exchange program?
Ida: I had an interest in studying Japanese business but didn’t want to go to Tokyo – it’s just too big! Nagoya is a great location to study in, plus the cost of living is lower than Tokyo. The Nisshin campus is in a great location too. This was my first time in Asia, and I think that many people outside of the region don’t know the real culture of Japan – you need to actually be here to experience it properly.
Kaja: I didn’t plan to come to Japan specifically, but somehow I did! I’m glad I came though, it’s worked out really well. In preparation for my time here I studied Japanese language for about four months at home, which really helped. I also didn’t want to go to Tokyo for the same reasons; it’s too big and crowded. Nagoya is perfect - it’s smaller than Tokyo but still has all the excitement of being an important city.
NUCB: Glad to hear it! Sadly you’re coming to the end of your time with us here though. What will be the best experience that you will take away with you?
Kaja: For me, it will be meeting the Japanese students here and making new friends. It was really easy – starting with the party on the introduction day, through class, and so on. Once, four of us had a birthday over the same couple of days, so some of my Japanese friends arranged a birthday party for us – and 70 students came!
Ida: I’ll remember the great politeness of everyone I met here. In Japan in general, the service is amazing wherever you go, and people seem to have a high morale at work whatever they do. I think I can really learn from this.
NUCB: Sounds like Japanese student life and wider society has made a pretty good impression on you. But of course – you’re studying business management, so I’m sure you must be thinking about your future careers. Do you think that your time studying at NUCB will help your employment prospects?
Ida: Yes! I’ll be different from most of my peers – I’ll have interesting international experience, and from Japan specifically, which is not so common.
Kaja: I agree – as Japan is not such a common destination for somebody from Europe to go and study, this is a good thing for my career prospects as I now have that experience. Also, the fact that I came here has led me to have more faith in myself. I made this happen, and my confidence has really grown because of it.
NUCB: Fantastic, and we wish you all the very best in your future careers. Now, many people who have perhaps not been to Japan have images of strange and interesting things in shops and in the culture. Did anything take you by surprise?
Kaja: The bowing - although I’d heard about it, I didn’t know quite how prevalent it actually is! Also that you can buy sandwiches for only 200 yen.
Ida: For me, finding beans in sweets, tea chocolate, and even wasabi chocolate.
NUCB: Nice! Not sure about the wasabi chocolate though… So – can we hope to see you back in Japan again after you’ve finished your studies?
Kaja: Yes! It was great fun – I’ll be back!
Ida: Definitely – I still want to go to hiking in Hokkaido, and hang out with snow monkeys in an onsen.
NUCB: Look forward to seeing you then. Thanks very much for talking to us, and good luck with the exams!
posted by Mike Hugh
Khalil from Morocco
Classes of Global Leader Program have started from the first week of April. We have asked some of the MBA freshers of their impression on Japan and NUCB.
Why did you choose NUCB and Japan?
First of all, japan means several things for me . I was dreaming about this country since I was a child. This is the country in constant change but also a country maintaining its tradition with the greatest pleasure. It has a special capability to be one of the most developed countries in the world and yet hold on to its thousands of years old culture and values. Studying at NUCB means that my dream has come true. I feel confident that the knowledge I can collect at this Graduate School will help me on the path to become a successful business leader in the future.
What is your first sight experience about the classes and lecturers at NUCB ?
At NUCB graduate school I felt the uniqueness of the Japanese educational system. All classes have the “Made in japan attitude" and skilled lecturers coming from all over the world to teach us various business courses.
Do you enjoy the life in Japan ?
I have already spent more than 1 month in Japan. I absolutely enjoyed each moment, especially as I arrived at the Sakura season, which provided a beautiful scene all over Japan.
What are your first impressions of Nagoya and Japan ?
Nagoya is simply matching my professional expectations with the opportunity to insight in various industries, and in the same time it ensures a decent way of living as well.
Mokdad Khalil
Exchange student
Hiroki from Japan , Full-time MBA student
Freshers starting their MBA this April have arrived to the campus from around the world. We have asked some of them of their impression on the program and NUCB.
Why did you choose NUCB ?
I choose NUCB because of the dual accreditation and the international atmosphere. Since I’m planning to work internationally, the educational background is very important for me and NUCB has definitely things to show. Also, to develop my knowledge and skills, it is important to put myself into an international atmosphere. The people around the world have different and their own way of thinking, and that will stimulate the learning process in my opinion.
What are your first impressions of the MBA program?
Before enrolling I was away from learning to do an internship. Therefore, I was looking forward to relearn and also to develop even further what I’ve learned during the internship. I felt that the program would do that for me.
Could you share with us your first sight experience about the classes at NUCB Graduate School ?
It is very interesting and challenging. Since every student contribute to the class, I have to listen, think, and contribute to the class as well. I feel that other students are helping me to learn, and I have to study to give back to what they have done to me.
Would you highlight any lecturer or subject which caught your attention ?
The statistics class has caught my attention. Lots of marketing theory and it also shows you what you can do with it in the real business deals. It explains how people interpret the market information. I found that in some cases only one’s strong emotion plays the major role on the market place . In some case emotion could be stronger in decision making than a general idea or business theory. This can be dangerous, because it can be bias. So in any business case and field, it is also important to analyze and think through some scientific way. Furthermore I felt that content of this lecture can be utilized in the future to provide effective choices in decision making situations.
Kitano Hiroki
Full-time MBA student
Aude Salmon
Undergraduate 2009
An Unrepeatable Chance
I'm fascinated by this country and I really enjoy living in Nagoya. I began studying Japanese last year and I appreciate the fact that courses are offered in Japanese and English. I would like to work in the marketing area and I have no doubt that command of both of these languages is a distinct asset in that line of business. Being a student at NUCB is an unrepeatable chance for me to study at a real business school where lessons are fitted with my vocational scheme.
Vanessa Yang
Undergraduate 2009
An Unforgettable Experience
Choosing to come to Japan for a study abroad at NUCB becomes an easy decision once a person thinks about Japan's unique characteristics-the food, the culture, its history, people, and high social morale. Likewise, NUCB's position as a renowned business school made my choice a certain one. The people I've met so far have made this experience already unforgettable.
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