【Alumni’s Voice】Employment at Cosmo Koki Co., Ltd

Mischa Cugnet is an alumnus from DDP program between NUCB and NEOMA Business School (France). DDP allowed him to have degree from both universities. After studying at NUCB for 2 years, Mischa decided to work in Japan and received a job offer at Cosmo Koki Co., Ldt.

Please tell us your background and your learning at NUCB

I decided to come to NUCB because I was searching for a change of scenery where the culture was different, the language was different, and the landscape was different. When I came to Japan, I was surprised for a developed country as Japan to not be dependable on English for foreign exchanges. It made me turn my focus on learning the basics of Japanese quickly. Living abroad for my studies, I had to adapt to new cultures, languages, and ways of thinking, which helped me become more open-minded, independent, and resilient. At NUCB, there are many students from very different cultural background. One episode that stands out is when I took on a leadership role in a student project with members from different nationalities. This experience reinforced the importance of adaptability and cross-cultural communication—skills.

Why did you decide to work in Japan and Cosmo Koki Co., Ltd.?

I decided to work in Japan because I wanted to challenge myself in a new environment and gain international business experience. As a foreigner at the beginning of my career with a basic level of Japanese, I knew that adapting would not be easy. I applied for this position at Cosmo Koki because I was also drawn to the water industry because it’s something essential to everyday life, and I liked the idea of working in a field that has a real impact. I’ve always been interested in connecting different markets and people. Since Cosmo Koki is expanding in Europe, I saw a chance to take on responsibilities early on and grow both professionally and personally.

What is your career goal?

In the short term, I aim to develop Cosmo Koki’s presence in Europe, learn more about the water sector, and improve my Japanese skills. Over time, I hope to take on larger responsibilities and lead international projects.