Yukino Yamamoto, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics Graduated in September 2024 (received a job offer from Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.)
Study abroad, extracurricular activities, clubs, volunteer work, internships – fulfilling their dreams to grow themselves as individuals. In these seven conversations, students who have challenged themselves speak about how they’ve changed and grown from enrollment to the present.
I spent my high school years in Hokkaido, where I was part of a close－knit class of just ten classmates. This environment gave me many opportunities to share my ideas through presentations and to take part in planning and carrying out various projects. At our school festival, for instance, we sold fair-trade products, and we also organized a campaign to bring a blood donation bus to campus. These hands-on activities were both meaningful and enjoyable, sparking my interest in marketing and ultimately guiding me to pursue studies in the Faculty of Economics. I was also inspired by a senior I admired who was studying at Sophia University, and seeing her there encouraged me to follow the same path.
My decision to study abroad was shaped by a major international sporting event held in Tokyo. I had been scheduled to work at the opening ceremony as a part-time staff member, but when the event was held without spectators, my role was cancelled. That day, I watched the ceremony on TV and was deeply moved by the sight of athletes and national flags from around the world. It sparked a strong desire to travel abroad and connect with people from different cultures. I chose Italy as my destination because I was studying Italian as a second language. With the application deadline approaching, meeting the requirements of my chosen university was not easy, and I remember dedicating myself to intensive English study during that period.
I studied abroad in Milan for about one year, beginning in the autumn semester of my third year. While there, I intentionally chose fashion-related courses that combined management with Milan’s distinctive strengths as a global fashion center. Throughout my time abroad, I experienced many moments in which classroom knowledge connected with real-world situations. I felt a sense of accomplishment when my Italian was understood in everyday conversations, and I was deeply moved by seeing famous works of art that I had previously studied in my world history classes. Looking back, I feel that this experience allowed me to plant many seeds－connections and perspectives that may grow and shape my future.
One of the most memorable experiences during my study abroad was traveling to 20 countries as a backpacker. While I had always admired glamorous courtly cultures, I was surprised to discover that visiting historic sites such as old castles excited me the most.
I was also impressed by transportation systems that allow people to travel across different countries using a single card, which gave me new ideas about how society can become more convenient. This experience later influenced my career path and helped me recognize information technology as a possible way to contribute to manufacturing.
I returned to Japan from Italy in August of my fourth year and had already decided to postpone graduation to focus on my job search. Although I had not yet chosen a specific industry, I was clear that I wanted to work in manufacturing.
During this time, the Career Center provided invaluable support. In my first advising session, I came prepared to discuss the experiences I focused on at university, as well as my motivations for applying, and described communication skills as my main strength. The advisor, however, helped me realize that my experiences more clearly reflected initiative. After revising how I expressed my strengths, it felt like a better fit for me. Receiving objective guidance from the Career Center was extremely helpful, and I am very thankful for their support.
The opportunity came through a recommendation from a classmate. While Nomura Research Institute is widely recognized as an IT company, I learned that people with a humanities background can also thrive there, which encouraged me to join the internship program. Over the five days, I gained hands-on experience, including attending a meeting on an electronic money system in the financial division and proposing ideas to help prevent fraudulent use. I was drawn to the employees’ careful guidance and the company’s culture of mutual respect, and I began to strongly feel that this was where I wanted to work. After joining the company, I plan to take on work that allows me to turn my own ideas into reality by combining the perspectives of both a consultant and an engineer.
After returning to Japan, many told me that having studied abroad would make job hunting easy. However, studying abroad is only one part of your journey. What truly matters is how you reflect on the experience—what you thought, what you felt, and what you learned from it. The perspectives and values you gain through these experiences are what will truly support you in your future. I encourage you to connect everything you experience, both abroad and in your student life, to the path you choose going forward.
Discovering Italian Cuisine and the Arts
In Italy, aperitivo is a social tradition of enjoying a drink before dinner, and Milan’s Navigli district comes alive with both locals and visitors. During my time abroad, I often shared aperitivi with friends after school or before attending performances at La Scala. These moments made me hope that similar customs might one day take root in Japan. La Scala also offers opportunities to enjoy world-class opera and ballet at reasonable prices. Being exposed to such outstanding performances broadened my cultural interests and became one of the most meaningful aspects of my time in Italy.
※Please note that the content of this article is correct as of October 2024
HOME
Articles
Sophia Style Online
Insights gained abroad that drive me to help build a more convenient and enriching society
