• Tell us about what you're doing now.

I am currently part of the corporate strategy division for the holding company Earthside. Earthside consists of five companies in the fresh produce industry with business activities ranging from food production, logistics, distribution, sales, and marketing. Although my responsibilities range across all five companies, my main focus is on the US expansion of our vertical farming business for the company Spread with our newest innovation, Techno Farm.

• What brought you to DBS?

After working for five years at a Japanese university managing international programs, I wanted to increase the number of future career opportunities and also equip myself with the right tool kit to face more difficult challenges in my professional life.

• How did your experience at DBS shape or prepare you for your career path?

I believe that I would not be able to handle my current work this early in my life without the experience I gained while at DBS. Although I am still responsible for many tasks and challenges that I have little experience doing, the comprehensive knowledge that I gained from my studies has ensured that I at least know how to find the right answers and then apply them practically in the real world.

• Share a favorite Global MBA memory.

I was selected to be part of a team for a case competition. This was on top of our normal academic studies and the competition was the day before my accounting final exam. I remember staying up all night to prepare for the competition in Tokyo, traveling to Tokyo then taking a bullet train back to Kyoto immediately after, and staying up all night again to study for the accounting exam. It was a great experience to see how far I could push myself mentally and it gave me confidence that I could face a similar challenge in my professional life.

• What advice do you have for current or prospective Global MBA students?

Make the most of your time in Kyoto. It is a beautiful city with many things to do and for most people it is a once in a life time opportunity. I would also recommend learning as much Japanese as you can, especially if you want to have a career in the country. It is not an absolute must, but will increase your chances.

• What are your future plans or goals, professionally or personally?

Professionally, I feel I am on a career path with lots of future opportunities to be put in higher leadership roles in a company that is set up for lots of growth in the coming years. I am planning on moving back to the US to begin our expansion into the US market in the near future.
Personally, I want to continue to grow and learn through many experiences and by facing new challenges as I grow older.

• Tell us about what you're doing now.

I am currently working as a Development Project Manager in a large accounting and consulting company. My role is to lead diverse projects with strategic impact.

• What brought you to DBS?

First of all, what brought me to Japan was the curiosity to discover this land so far from where I have grown up, but also the admiration for how Japanese society has succeeded in reaching high standards in all aspects of life while keeping alive the roots of its traditions.
DBS was an obvious choice for me as it comprised all what I was looking for in an MBA program. The diversity of both students and faculty, the richness of courses centered around sustainability and creativity, the openness to a worldwide view of business and the economy were all reasons that I chose DBS.

• How did your experience at DBS shape or prepare you for your career path?

Being immersed in a such a diverse environment allowed me to broaden my perspective as I would have never imagined. In addition to that, and as I came from an engineering background, I was able to discover new areas of interest.
My research subject was definitely a strong starting point for my current career. I studied the factors behind strategy-implementation gaps in the context of Morocco. This helped me better understand the internal mechanisms of working teams. I am now in charge of projects aiming to improve the well-being and efficiency of teams and I can confidently say that my thesis journey is helping me in more ways that I’ve thought it would.

• Share a favorite Global MBA memory

Although sometimes things were busy and intense, especially around the thesis submission period, the feeling of accomplishment after being awarded distinction for my thesis will remain one of the best memories for me.

Adding to that, the way the school’s building is structured provides perfect atmosphere to study, but also great areas to rest and gather with classmates. Most of my best memories were created during gatherings for events, birthdays or for no special occasion.

• What advice do you have for current or prospective Global MBA students?

At some points, the workload might seem unbearable. Some subjects might seem difficult to grasp especially for someone who hasn’t been exposed to them before. However, if there is something that I remember very well and that I learned more than anything, is that hard work and perseverance always pay off.

When things seem blurred and incomprehensible at the beginning, the idea of « just getting it started » added with a pinch of patience were key.

• What are your future plans or goals, professionally or personally?

My professional goal is to extend my learning in the field of business development and grow towards strategic positions while improving people's work environment. In a personal side, living in Japan for more than 2 years and making friends from all corners of earth confirmed my passion to discover and be amazed by our differences, and all those surprising similarities. I am definitely willing to feed my soul with travels around the world every now and then.

• Tell us about what you're doing now.

I started my current entrepreneurship activities while at DBS. I now manage two vacation homes, I design and offer my own tours for international tourists, and I have an online shop for Japanese candies and snacks.

• What brought you to DBS?

Before coming to DBS I spent some time studying at a language school in Kyoto. My husband and I really enjoyed living Kyoto, so I decided to search for a good university that could expand my social network and help us create a new life here.

• How did your experience at DBS shape or prepare you for your career path?

At DBS I became more confident and learnt the processes behind how to create something valuable from an idea. And more importantly, how to investigate an idea and dismiss it, if it is not feasible. At DBS I experienced being part of an international community and had many opportunities to see the importance of being open-minded and not judgmental. The skills I gained help me every day as I encounter many people from different cultural backgrounds.

• Share a favorite Global MBA memory

As a course project, my group created a walking tour called “Design Walk Kyoto”. We brought tourists to hard-to-find places related to traditional craftsmanship and design. After graduation my project members went back home or found employment, but I am still doing an updated version of this tour as part of my work now!

• What advice do you have for current or prospective Global MBA students?

During your studies at DBS it is your time to challenge yourself, collect ideas, and build up your future. This period is a once in a lifetime opportunity, be brave and don’t waste it.

• What are your future plans or goals, professionally or personally?

Currently, I am pursuing a Phd at Ritsumeikan University. My research topic is related to immigrant entrepreneurship and tourism. My plan is to complete my PhD and continue to build my business in the hospitality industry.