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Valentina, Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia

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Valentina (Colombia)

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Valentina is a fourth-year Business Administration student at Universidad de Los Andes with a strong interest in logistics and project management. Curious, motivated, and eager to gain international experience, she is currently exploring internship opportunities in Colombia while enjoying student life and new perspectives at NUCB Undergraduate School.

What attracted you to Japan and NUCB?

The culture was appealing, and I knew it would be a challenge for me to adapt to a different environment and language. Furthermore, NUCB's methodology attracted me because of its pragmatism and the fact that everything was based on case studies, which made it very interesting.

What was your first impression of Japan and NUCB when you arrived?

I felt comfortable, to be honest, because of the organization and how practical it was. Even though the language was a barrier, the Japanese people are very kind, and even though it was difficult to understand each other, they helped me.
The university is very international; I didn't realize they had a whole degree program for international students. This makes it much easier to adapt and allows me to enrich my learning with different perspectives.

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

It took me a while to get used to how public transportation works, since everything here is very organized and has its own system, which makes it difficult for a foreigner to understand. The food was also difficult because there are many things I didn't know, so my food options were often limited.

How would you describe the classroom experience at NUCB?  

NUCB has a very safe environment because they allow students to develop their ideas without fear of being wrong. By having discussions and debates, opinions are always volatile and interesting, so it is very useful for students to see and understand different perspectives that help you in different ways to solve problems or situations. I feel that the case method is very practical and interesting; it helps you understand a concept through practice and thus not forget it.

What has been one of your favorite classes so far and why?

Marketing Strategy has been one of my favorites because it's very interesting to see how brands I frequently consume face these problems or situations that involve developing new products, changing strategies, etc. Furthermore, the course always encourages students to develop their own solutions based on the concepts the professor teaches, making the learning process much more organic and straightforward.

What are your career goals and how do you think  choosing Japan or NUCB will help you achieving these goals?

First of all, this experience has greatly helped me improve my networking and broaden my worldview. A culture so different from Colombian culture made me realize that studying and getting good grades isn't always enough; you also need experiences that enrich you both personally and professionally. My future goal is to find a job in logistics, preferably abroad, and since I've also improved my English, it's a valuable skill that will help me in that regard.

Has living in Japan changed your perspective on your home country?  

Yes, Colombia is a very different country in every way. I feel like it's making me appreciate my home and at the same time realize that there are conditions that are normal for me but aren't here. This experience has helped me become more flexible and empathetic towards my surroundings.

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

Nervousness is normal, but in the end it is always one of the most enriching experiences one can have as a student; one becomes more independent and manages to understand many things about oneself.

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