Tomodachi Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program – 11 Years After Establishment Former Scholarship Recipient and Employee Mentor in Conversation: “My Year of Study Abroad Is Over, but I Have a Mentor for Life.”

While the process of globalization continues and the demand for internationally competent business leaders remains high, the number of Japanese students studying abroad in the U.S. for an extended period has declined significantly since 2000. To address this issue, Sumitomo Corporation has since 2013 been participating in the "TOMODACHI Initiative," a public-private partnership led by the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. This was originally established to support reconstruction efforts after the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, but in 2014, as part of our social contribution activities, we launched the Program, through which we provide students with a scholarship of 1.5 million yen (1.8 million yen from 2018 onward) per year. Over the past ten years through 2023, we have supported a total of 77 students to study in the U.S.

Kataoka I studied economics and marketing at the University of Richmond, Virginia, for around a year starting in 2018. Before that, I had only a vague interest in international business, but I was given a lot of support and numerous opportunities to gain valuable experience before and after my time in the U.S., and I made a conscious effort to make the most of that year. Particularly memorable was a visit to Hartz Mountain Corporation, a Sumitomo Corporation group company that manufactures and sells pet care products in the U.S., as part of the program's overseas training program. A Japanese expatriate from Sumitomo Corporation gave an impressive presentation in fluent English, and I really felt that Japanese people working overseas are so cool. I wanted to be like that, too. Now I have been posted to Hungary as a Sumitomo Corporation employee myself, and I truly never imagined this reality. This opportunity is thanks to my encounter with my then-mentor, Mr. Otora, who was very kind to me, not only during my year abroad, but also afterwards.

Otora After returning to Japan, you consulted with me about your career path. I even introduced you to an employee involved in a business you said you were interested in, and we talked about it together. For my part, I don't think of myself as a mentor, but rather as a friend just a few years older than you. Accordingly, when communicating, I made a decision to not talk down, and to not make assumptions about what you were capable of. I wanted you to speak in your own words regarding your thoughts at the time. Acquiring the ability to think things through on your own as a student put you in the driver's seat to identify issues independently. My role was just to fill in the missing pieces.

This program started the year I joined Sumitomo Corporation. I applied to be a mentor because I wanted to learn more about the company, but I learned so much from people of different generations, and I'm very grateful for the experience.

Kataoka It's very nice of you to say you're an "older friend," but from my point of view, you're still someone I admire, and I consider you a mentor on the path of life. During my year abroad, I sometimes felt down, but you never failed to cheer me up, saying, "This is a great experience for you." When I was frustrated because my English presentation didn't go well and my local classmates laughed at me, you told me it would be a positive experience in the long run, and that I should continue to work hard.

Otora Did I really say that? ... (laughs). Still, the university you were attending didn't have many international students, and I tried to encourage without putting too much pressure on you. I thought about my own study abroad experience, and the sense of alienation and inferiority I also experienced at that time. After that, during opportunities to make presentations in front of corporate management at overseas training programs, and the debriefing sessions that took place when you returned to Japan, you never seem intimidated – probably thanks to your experiences abroad.

Kataoka I think you're right. I really grew as a person, and after endless practice and exposure to public speaking that was motivated by my earlier frustrations, I succeeded in giving a presentation in English with confidence. In addition to my university studies and overseas training, I also participated in volunteer activities for disaster relief in North Carolina. It was an intense year, when I worked hard on my English skills, and also my resourcefulness as a member of society.

The most noticeable way I grew personally after my year abroad is that my tolerance for everything increased as a result of the diverse experiences on the Program and exposure to different worlds. Instead of starting from a place of negativity, I became more open minded, thoughtful and receptive. I have become friends with my peers on the Program, and we remain encouraging toward one another, even though we aspire to different goals. I have also met an invaluable mentor for life. This scholarship program gives participants a real understanding of what it's like to work abroad as well as many life-changing experiences. For anyone considering studying abroad, I really encourage you to apply.

Otora I encourage any employees who have overseas experience to participate as mentors. It's so important to understand the thoughts and values of the younger generation, especially for anyone in a team management position. Watching Yu grow and become more resilient as he moved from student to international student, and then to working adult and trainee, I felt like I was able to re-experience the perspectives of a new graduate myself. As a result, I am more determined than ever to work hard in the face of challenges on my own career path and continue to devote myself to work and mentoring activities to be an ideal role model for Yu and others far into the future.