| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor in Computer Science and Engineering, Uttaranchal University |
| COMPANY |
| Japanese global leader in material handling and automation systems, providing solutions for factories, warehouses, airports, and logistics facilities. |
| SUMMARY |
| Inspired by the phrase “We all look at the same sky” and the Japanese-speaking community that let her experience kizukai, learning Japanese became a gateway to becoming a computer science engineer in Japan. Read how surprised she was by how smooth and fun her job-hunting journey was! |
How Japan Charmed Me With Its Songs
In college, while I was pursuing my computer science degree, I made a small web-based app called “Shi no Sakura”. It combined my hobby of making apps, my love for Japanese culture, and my hope to spread a little joy and positivity. This cute little project was basically a gratitude journal. Instead of bullet points, there’s cute little blossoms in a digital garden. I made it for others as much as for myself. For me, it served as a visual reminder during my journey to become a computer science engineer in Japan.
My interest in Japan began in high school five years ago, during the pandemic. I came across a karaoke app called Nana. Here, I discovered the fun beats of J-pop and made several Japanese friends. Completely clueless, I remember loving this song even though I couldn’t understand it at all. So, after that one listen, I couldn’t find it. Enamored, I tried self-studying Japanese, and lots of my Japanese friends on the app helped me out. Slowly, my appreciation for the music evolved from just fancying the beats to actually appreciating the lyrics. After two years, I crowdsourced on SNS to hunt down that song. I found it: Circus Night by Tavito Nanao! It was so rewarding to find! That was the moment I felt I could speak Japanese.
But my journey of learning Japanese soon hit a speed bump: college. I couldn’t give the same focus once I was focused on my degree. But as I learned more about Japan through my course, my desire to study Japanese began to feel like something more.
How My Dream Evolved
Then, one day, on Pinterest, there was this unforgettable image of the sky with Japanese words superimposed: We are all looking at the same sky(私たちは同じ空を見ている ). The image hit me deeply. Since I was young, I was always drawn to the sky—it was overwhelmingly beautiful, entrancing, limitless, and promising. I lost a lot of time just looking at the sky, thinking about going farther from where I was, all the possibilities it presented. This shaped me: I looked at the world always searching for meaning. Being lost in thoughts like this made me feel a little isolated, but seeing that image on Pinterest offered a different perspective. It was just this very distinct feeling, this longing for a different world where people looked at the sky and, instead of feeling lonelier, it made them feel like they belonged.
Determined to make my dream come true, I tried signing up for AtoJ Hirameki. I was too excited! They told me it was too early. After waiting a full year, they finally accepted me. The wait was worth it, and I had so much fun during those online classes. I had the time of my life, becoming part of a community with so many others who loved Japanese culture just as much. Of all the things we learned, I was especially good at listening—all those years on Nana paying off. Finally, in my third year, I underwent mock interviews with a career advisor to get into FAST OFFER International’s job-hunting program.
Mock Interviews To Promote Me From Japanese Language Student to Job Hunter
I was asked: “Why do you want to work in Japan?”
This was an anticipated question but I felt stumped. I should have been prepared, but I found myself transported to several years ago, serendipitously seeing that picture of the sky that inspired my dream, and feeling a profound loss of words.There was so much to say, but I was ill-equipped. I was heartbroken over failing, but it pushed me to study Japanese harder. Luckily, they let me try again a month later. This time, I was prepared as I talked about my “初心“ (Beginner’s heart).
What is Kizukai for me?
For me, that quote — 私たちは同じ空を見ている (We are all looking at the same sky) — represented a people filled to the brim with 気遣い (kizukai). There’s no single English word that can really capture what kizukai means. If I try to explain it, it’s a very intense, patient, and constant consideration of others in everything you do. The friends I made on Nana who taught me Japanese so thoughtfully, showed this. My friends and senseis from AtoJ Hirameki showed this too. Another Japanese friend who went to India, and who I got to tour with, also showed this in leaps and bounds. My experience with the Japanese people, more than anything, fed my desire to assimilate with a society held together by this same sky, this same core belief in kizukai.
After my mock interview, I felt confident I could explain those feelings, was fulfilling enough for me. Wanting to authentically express my feelings in Japanese kept me from getting bogged down by the pressure of passing or failing, and it gave me confidence. When I stopped chasing it, and was just myself, I passed the mock interview.
Job Hunting with FAST OFFER International: Kizukai from Start to Finish
Soon after passing, a Japanese company wanted to interview me in person. I got to fly to Japan for free even though it was just this one company It was a rare exception, as the company insisted on seeing their applicants in person. Learning Japanese early was a big advantage!
Flying to Japan
Every aspect of the trip was like a dream to me. Blessed with a window seat, I remember the awe and wonder I felt seeing the sky and being among the clouds so up close for the first time. I was looking out the whole flight. Getting picked up by FAST OFFER staff at the airport felt like a dream—I’d spent so much of my life thinking of Japan, and I had to pinch myself to check if I was dreaming.
Since my flight landed earlier than the others, as the only one from Delhi, I had a full day to myself in Tokyo. I eagerly frolicked and explored the area near the ASIA to JAPAN headquarters. It was all so different, clean, and safe! The Japanese friend I’d met in India even volunteered to check up on me, eat with me, and tour me around.
The Job Interview: An Event That Showed Japan’s Kizukai
Finally, the lone interview day arrived. I was the first one lined up. To my surprise, my interviewers were so incredibly kind and curious that I wound up enjoying myself. The 40-minute interview, where I was just simply myself, felt so short; I almost didn’t want it to end.
I watched as the other recruits finished their turns one by one, and I realized I wished them all the best results. It was an odd feeling I didn’t expect—I didn’t feel like we were competing. Everyone was so kind and nice! So much so that, at the end of the day, the six of us who finished the final interview all gathered in one room to play board games and wait for the results. I was having so much fun that there was simply no room for anxiety, even on such an important day.
The Results
Finally, FAST OFFER International staff came into the room with the results. I remember thinking, should we even be playing games at a time like this? As a group, we started to put away the game as the staff started off their announcement. I’d forgotten there was something at stake. Most of us had completely forgotten to be nervous. To our surprise, we all got in!
Like fireworks all in sync, I remember how we erupted in joy at the news. I felt so happy and grateful that we’d succeeded together. Plus, these were the types of people I would get to work with in the future. I still felt like I was stuck in this sweet dream as I watched my new friends call up their friends and family to share the news.
Still bubbling with the great news, I volunteered to help prepare for the farewell party. We had a great time and got photos to celebrate. Then I remember rushing back to the hotel. In the comfort of my hotel room, with my head finally clear, I called up my own family. My parents were so happy for me, but they weren’t at all surprised. They always believed in me. I also got to break the news to my brother, who had been my number one mentor as a computer science engineer. I grew up watching my 14-year-old prodigy brother fix our neighbors’ computers long before he got certified, and he inspired me to take the same path. The way he said that he was proud of me melted my heart and capped off my perfect day. I was on cloud nine.
My Future in Japan: Joining a Kizukai Society
During that job interview trip, I enjoyed the process so much that the results were the last thing on my mind. It’s not that it wasn’t important—it was, and looking back, absorbing it all, it was a life-changing event. But the thing is, I was so happy, grateful, and simply having fun and appreciating everyone I encountered. Having done the hard part—being serious in my academics and giving my all to learning Japanese—I could just be myself at the interviews. Along the way, I made friends from India and China and discovered how truly beautiful human connections can be.
As I add more grateful blossoms to my garden, I look forward to expanding new blooms in Japan. I’ll see the friends I succeeded with during the training period at the company. Together, we’ll learn, improve, and grow into better professionals as we diversify into our specialties.
I look forward to being a computer science engineer who helps solve people’s problems. Perhaps my company will also see my passion for communicating and planning, which can lead to unexpected growth.
But above everything else, I look forward to the people. There’s a whole community that was with me on my journey; I’ll meet them in Japan again. But there’s also so many people I’ve yet to meet! Planted in a community that embodies kizukai, the person I dream of meeting most of all, though, is the better person I’m going to be.
Advice for the job interviews: Embody Kizukai
For the interviews, I have two tips that overlap. First, be yourself at the interviews. Second, listen well, relax, and be present at the interviews. It’s connected because if you’re not busy pretending to be someone else, you can bring your whole self. Allowing a company to make their decision based on your genuine self, is thoughtful and considerate for you and the company and the long run.
Advice for life
I hope everyone who gets this can have a dream they give their all to. Everyone deserves a dream they can be passionate about. Dreams make life worthwhile. For me, my dream is to spread more happiness! But in the same way people have helped me make my goals a reality, I, too, can be that person for others.
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