Tharushi, Sri Lanka: Global BBA Internship experience, Sustainable Vegan Leather Start-up

We recently caught up with Tharushi, a fourth-year Global BBA student from Sri Lanka who is currently interning at appcycle inc., a start-up specializing in vegan leather.

In 2022, appcycle released its first product, "RINGO-TEX," a headrest cover made of sustainable vegan leather designed for ANA's Green Jet. Tharushi, a standout student at NUCB, has persevered through the challenges of studying during the pandemic. Along with her studies, Tharushi has worked various part-time jobs at Komeda, Lawson, and Marugame Seimen, volunteered in Nara, and has participated in NUCB summer and winter programs. She has also been a member of the NUCB Student Representative Council (SRC).

Currently, Tharushi is working on her final case project, which focuses on SHEIN, exploring the ethics behind the success of their throwaway fashion business model. Having earned the required number of credits for graduation, Tharushi is now dedicating her time to internships as she prepares to launch her career after graduation.

Can you tell us about how you found the internship opportunity, what the company does, and what your role is?

I found the company on LinkedIn as it perfectly aligns with my passion for sustainability. The company is based in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, which is famous for producing apples. Their mission is to create a sustainable future by upcycling and developing a range of vegan leather products.

As a Global Sales Intern at this company, my primary responsibility is to research competitors both domestically and internationally. This includes researching competitors' prices, products, and production methods. Based on my findings, I create detailed reports for the team, which will be used to help the company prepare for its product launch.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be working for a company that is committed to sustainable practices and creating a better future. This internship not only provides me with valuable skills and experience, but also aligns with my personal values and passions.

Can you reflect how NUCB has helped you so far?

During my interview process, I was asked how I could contribute to the company. I believe the company was impressed with my broad knowledge base acquired through my BBA degree, which includes management, marketing, finance, and other related fields. In addition, my experience working with students from over 50 nationalities added value to my candidacy.

The company was particularly interested in the approach to learning at NUCB, which goes beyond memorization of theoretical concepts. At NUCB, we learn through case studies that involve group work, projects, and participation. I have found Prof. Hakeem’s "Doing Business in Japan" course to be particularly helpful. Additionally, courses such as Prof. Wong's "Data Visualization" and Prof. Hui's "Research Methods" have enabled me to effectively research and analyze data for presentation to my boss.

Another unique aspect of NUCB is the ample free time we have to focus on our internships from the 4th year. This, coupled with the long winter break that NUCB provides (Jan~April), has allowed me to give my full attention to my internship and excel in my role.

What do you want to do in the future?

My goal is to work for a Japanese company with a global outlook. As a result, I am currently working on improving my Japanese language proficiency. One of the things that really attracts me to Japanese companies is their emphasis on quality over profits.

In the long term, my aspiration is to build bridges between Japan and Sri Lanka. I believe that my passion for the Japanese language and culture, coupled with my business education, will enable me to achieve this goal.