GRIP, Internships Abroad The Bilingual Experience in Japanese Travel

GRIP: International Business in Tokyo

During the summer, I had the pleasure of spending 8-weeks working in a travel agency in Tokyo, Japan called TOKI. With an emphasis on providing never-before-seen opportunities for the general public to witness traditional Japanese experiences--such as tea ceremonies, sword-making, and dining with geishas among other things--I had the rare opportunity to grow and develop my professional skills in many ways. Firstly, I am incredibly proud of my ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. As an intern in Japan, I was given numerous responsibilities and tasks that required quick thinking and efficient problem-solving skills to make sure the company continued to maintain the high-profile standing that it had acquired. With much of my time spent working as a pipeline operator (PO) within the company, I had to hone my organizational and time management skills through multitasking various projects simultaneously. Balancing tasks such as itinerary planning, client communication, and vendor coordination taught me how to prioritize and meet deadlines efficiently. This was particularly relevant on specific projects I was assigned to, which often involved coordinating a group tour to remote parts of Japan. From arranging transportation and accommodations to creating a detailed itinerary, these projects required meticulous planning and execution; leading to my further development of organizational skills and learned importance of attention to detail.

Another area of development that I am very thankful for is my ability to efficiently communicate and collaborate with international colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds. As TOKI is an international company, many colleagues and clients spoke an array of languages with varying degrees of fluency. Due to this, I had the great opportunity to hone both my English and Japanese skills to a new level, and was able to send back-to-back emails with native clients in full Japanese. As I have grown to learn, working in a travel agency means interacting with individuals from all walks of life, including tourists, local vendors, and even my fellow colleagues. It was through these new discoveries that I had the opportunity to sharpen my communication skills and learn new ways to bridge cultural differences, ensuring that the needs and expectations of our clients were met with the utmost professionalism and empathy.

Speaking of communication development and cultural differences, the most important skill development and biggest achievement I am most proud of is the enhancement of my interpersonal skills. With a culturally diverse client base and office space, effective communication and being open to new challenges and opportunities was crucial in understanding and fulfilling both my goals as an intern and the travel needs and expectations of our clientele. I have learned to adapt my communication style to cater to different perspectives and actively listen and respond clearly when listening to client inquiries and concerns. Though I think there is still much room for improvement and further personal development, I am very thankful to Penn Abroad and TOKI for taking me in and giving me the opportunity to grow into a more professional version of myself. This internship was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will stick with me as I enter my last year at Penn, and I hope will continue to impact the lives of many future Quakers going forward!