Koko’s Postcard from Finland
Koko’s overseas study centered around three themes: innovation, sustainability, and cross-cultural understanding.
As Aalto University is well known for its culture of entrepreneurship, students are encouraged to be “radically creative” in classes. Whilst it was initially an adjustment for Koko to adapt to the unique educational system, Koko found that she was able to thrive in the classroom, by contributing Japanese and Australian perspectives, observing how other students participated in the classes, and always reaching out to teachers and TAs (teacher’s assistants) there whenever something was unclear. Adapting to a new culture and a different educational system was a step out of Koko’s comfort zone, but she embraced the uncertainty as an opportunity to learn and further develop herself – and urges other students to do the same.
To me, Global Citizenship means being caring and considerate of the world and people from different countries – Koko
Another standout of Koko’s experience was learning about applying sustainability principles in a business context. This was something Koko had been interested in learning about at the University of Melbourne as well, and Aalto University provided the perfect platform for her to be able to apply her passion. Her highlights include designing a sustainable business model with a team whom she describes as inspiring authentic leaders for a program aimed at helping corporate board members reconnect with nature. Another included participating in a “reading corner” – which ended in heated discussion – as well as meeting people that were not only passionate about sustainability but lived these values. To this day, she still feels inspired by these conversations, and plans to apply these learnings to her career in Human Resources.
Finally, Koko’s experience was defined by the friends she met, and the values she learned about. As Koko says: “When I asked about Sisu, a unique Finnish value, one friend shared childhood memories of walking to school through snowstorms and learning to endure discomfort without complaint. Sisu, he explained, is not simply patience; it is a quiet strength to persevere even when things are difficult. These reflections gradually reshaped my understanding of well-being. I began to see that it is not about constant striving, but about embracing the present, finding contentment in simplicity, and cultivating the quiet resilience to move forward an inner strength that lies at the very heart of Sisu.” In her consequent travels through Europe, Koko was able to reunite with friends from her exchange and The University of Melbourne alike, picking up their friendship as if no time had passed since they’d last been able to see each other. Now, the world is not only made up of locations on a map – they are made up of places where Koko has formed treasured memories, and “pit-stops” to make to catch up with friends.
Koko’s one piece of advice to students going on exchange is to hold onto experiences and emotions by articulating them. Her view is that “If you don’t express them, they can easily fade. I recommend keeping a diary or regularly sharing your reflections with someone you trust, as this helps you process what you’re experiencing and gain new perspectives.”
Her semester at Aalto University demonstrates how studying overseas is truly about seeing the world from different perspectives. From studying her bachelor’s degree in Japan with a one-year exchange in the US, to undertaking a Master of Management in Australia, and participating in a Global Semester Program in Finland followed by a summer program at Copenhagen Business School, Koko has experienced multiple distinct educational systems. Along the way, she has not only learnt from valued mentors and lecturers, but from everyone around her. After all, learning does not only occur inside the classroom – learning occurs when you’re hugging a tree, when you’re reflecting on your experiences, and when you’re debating with classmates in an open-air workshop… and in Koko’s case, flying across the world to do all three!
Biography: Yukiko (Koko) Oshima is a graduate of the Master of Management (Human Resources) program at The University of Melbourne. She went on a Global Semester program at Aalto University in Finland. Leveraging her multinational experience, she is continuing her career in Human Resources in a new role as HR manager, hoping to advance the sustainability agenda while sharing her academic experience with universities and think tanks on the side.