Three teams comprising WISH award students together with students from other universities were assigned the mission of conducting local market research in Malaysia regarding Japanese products with the potential break into the Malaysian market. The locale was the leading Asian world city of Kuala Lumpur. Students planned the development and promotion of new Japanese products for sale in Malaysia. To fulfill the mission brief, students conducted preliminary research into the characteristics and strengths of the Japanese economy. Students also learned about techniques related to logical thinking and creative power.
It will be interesting to see how the students’ proposed products were received on the ground in Malaysia.
Valuable experience and learning which I could learn different culture practically.
“Sell white paper and earn money!” Our mission at Malaysia was to create added value to white paper and sell it. We are told this mission on the first day of the program. While thinking the demands of Malaysia, each group made the products and sold them. For three days, we repeated the cycle of Plan-Do-Check-Action (PDCA) by making and selling our own products. Not only thinking the products which suit local needs, but also thinking how to presents the products was something that university student cannot experience in daily school life. Also, trying to understand the different sense of values and using foreign language for negotiation was valuable experiences to become a global human resource. However, most importantly, this internship taught us how to gain well-grounded self-confidence.Knowing the tendency of my way of thinking and knowing what the others think lead me towards new way of thinking. That gives me confidence.
When products, which are a concretion of my idea, are well sold, I can be more confident. I would like to keep making efforts to change “self-confidence without reason” to “self-confidence with reasons.”
(School of International Liberal Studies, N.H.)
Valuable learning and experience learned from Award
I had a precious experience by this program which I cannot get through in my daily life. I had to use English in order to communicate with locals and I realized that the passion to convey my feeling is the important, not the matters of grammar. All the Malaysian was friendly and their smile made our conversation lively and I enjoyed it. This experience gave me a confidence, and now I am not afraid to talk with foreigners even when I am talked to by them. It enhanced my motivation to study English.
Moreover, discussion among my team taught me how to discuss effectively. At a brainstorming session, I put more importance on the quality than quantity so that I could put out what I hit on. When I selected ideas, I substituted ideas and tried to combine with another idea to make new ones so that I could select the best choice which was suited the situation.
I am sure I will meet and talk to many people, so I would take the advantage of this experience and be positive to give my opinions.
(School of Culture, Media and Society Y.O.)
