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Marie, ICN Business School, France

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Marie, ICN Business School

We spoke with Marie, a Double Degree student at NUCB, about her experience studying and living in Japan. Through lively case discussions, Marie has gained new perspectives on global issues and learned the importance of thoughtful, collaborative problem-solving. She hopes to apply these lessons in her future career, combining different viewpoints to find creative and effective solutions.

What’s your favorite place on campus to relax or study?

My favorite spot is the terrace in front of the building that connects the cafeteria, some classrooms, and the 7-Eleven. It’s surrounded by trees and greenery, so it feels really calm and refreshing. There’s also always some instrumental music playing in the background, which creates a really nice atmosphere for studying. And if I need a short break, I can just grab a snack or coffee from 7-Eleven, and often I’ll bump into friends there, it’s a great mix of focus and socialising.

Has a class discussion ever changed the way you think about a topic?

Definitely, in my Global Issues course, we once had a discussion about globalization and demographic change, and it really made me rethink how interconnected those topics are. Before, I mostly thought about globalization in terms of trade or technology, but that discussion also showed the social side, like how aging populations or migration patterns reshape labor markets, culture, and even public policy. It made me realize how global challenges are not isolated issues, but really interdependent systems that need both local and international perspectives.

What part of daily life in Japan took the most time to get used to?

Probably how much attention people pay to details and etiquette, for example separating trash correctly or interactions in public spaces. At first, I was nervous about doing something wrong, but over time I actually started to appreciate it. The structure and respect built into everyday life here create a sort of mutual consideration that’s actually really special once you get used to it.

What advice would you give to students who are nervous about living abroad for the first time?

My advice is to just dive in and enjoy it. Of course everything feels new at first, the food, the transport, even the way people greet each other, but I think that’s part of the fun. People (especially in Japan) are so welcoming and super curious, it’s amazing to hear their stories and share yours in return. You also meet many other international students who are going through the same experience, which builds an incredible community, I really can’t give any other advice than to go for it!

How do you hope to use your NUCB experience in the future?

What I want to take from my NUCB experience is the way it trains you to go about problems thoughtfully. The case-method makes you really dig into a problem and understand the core issues, and then working with classmates from all over the world shows how different perspectives can lead to better, more creative solutions. I hope to use this approach in my future career, so thinking critically about challenges, combining different viewpoints, and therefore finding the best solutions, no matter where I work.

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