“This program adds a meaningful experience to my resume that helps me stand out among other candidates. Not every university offers the chance to intern abroad, so I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity while I was at Ohio State. This experience has given me real examples of challenges I have faced in a new culture, how I worked through them, and how I grew from those moments. I believe those lessons will serve me well in my career moving forward,” reflected operations management major Owen Blevins on his summer internship experience at Nextbeat Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan.
Blevins is participating in the Fisher Global Internships: Japan program, which gives students the opportunity to work with an organization that aligns with their interests for the summer.
“Especially within my internship group, I have become close with people from all over the world, including Mexico, Russia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and others. Beyond that, I have connected with people in my everyday life, whether at work or playing pick-up basketball at a local park. I have really enjoyed hearing about their different backgrounds and the unique paths that brought them to where they are now. Those conversations have had a lasting impact on me.”
Blevins is also the recipient of the Freeman Foundation Internship Scholarship, which is awarded by the East Asian Studies Center to provide students with valuable work experience and the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the region’s culture.
“Going abroad was important to me because it gave me the chance to fully immerse myself in a new environment and challenge myself outside of my comfort zone. While I have truly enjoyed my time in Japan, it is very different from the United States. Being in a new culture has helped me see the world from a broader perspective and appreciate the diversity of experiences it offers,” said Blevins.
“I have discovered new things that I enjoy, but I have also realized what I truly value from home. Spending two months in a different country with unfamiliar customs helped me recognize aspects of life in the United States that I may have taken for granted. It gave me a deeper appreciation for where I come from and helped me grow both personally and emotionally.”