What inspired you to join the CRCC Asia team?
The prospect of having a vocation where I can support the younger generation and have an impact on Japanese society along with working in a global environment inspired me to join CRCC Asia. I was born and raised in a multicultural environment and believe there are many benefits which I hope the people in Osaka can also experience working alongside the interns.
Can you tell us about your role as the General Manager for the Osaka office?
My role is to manage the Osaka internship program. This involves continuously building up relations with new partner companies and arranging various cultural and business events. I am also managing a team to ensure we run an effective, efficient, and productive program for all participants.
Farewell dinner with CRCC Asia program participants.
How do you help support participants and your coworkers?
We support our participants by creating new opportunities with partner companies and organising various cultural and business events. I also have an insight into Osaka’s industries and culture, which I am sharing with colleagues.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Being able to provide a platform for interaction between participants and the people of Osaka.
Before I started my professional career I had a great opportunity at university to connect foreign students to home students. I found that providing a good environment for interaction enabled an “exchange of cultures” which allowed for students to learn more about other cultures. I enjoyed these previous responsibilities and I am enjoying a similar role here at CRCC Asia Osaka.
What makes Osaka a special place for CRCC participants?
With all the great perks of Japan (efficiency, cleanliness, etc.), Osaka provides a fantastic environment for young foreign interns to thrive and experience a new culture, as the city has a friendly attitude facilitating integration and networking. There is also a recent increase in startups. With the World Expo 2025 coming up, it is an exciting time with many opportunities in Osaka.
How does your background in recruitment and aerospace influence the work you do today?
Recruitment in Osaka has allowed me to gain expert knowledge on the many industries in Kansai. Manufacturing and engineering is also a major industry in which aerospace has a huge influence. I am hoping my knowledge of industries and trends in Osaka will help CRCC Asia to find the best partner companies for the participants.
You are a native Japanese and English speaker. What does language mean to you, and why do you think it is important for individuals to learn new languages?
Language is an identity and a tool for me to understand different cultures. There are words in Japanese that are commonly used in Japan, but do not have a direct translation in English, which can highlight the differences in both cultures.
Learning about different languages and cultures can foster the development of new perspectives which is a necessity for a global working environment.
Do you have any travel or language learning advice you'd like to share?
Be open-minded and patient. Travelling will take you out of your norms, but allowing some patience will hopefully provide you with experiences you could not imagine back home. I have found that language skills can exponentially increase the more you use it with natives, so don’t be afraid to speak it!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
When you return home with new ideas, challenges, and perspectives.
If you could participate in any CRCC Asia program, where would you go and why?
I would participate in the Seoul program. I am half Korean and half Japanese, but never had the opportunity to visit South Korea, so there would be no better opportunity than participating in an internship program in Seoul!
