Insights from A Recent Graduate

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http://myessayreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cheska-blog-image-ifinal-with-better-logo-.png During my visit to Tokyo, I had the pleasure of meeting my former mentee, Francesca Lucia Galve (Cheska), in person after guiding her through her MBA application journey a few years ago. Cheska, a Filipino professional with a background in audit and accounting, pursued her MBA at Hitotsubashi ICS with the support of a Japanese government scholarship and has since built a successful post-MBA career in Japan as a Senior Consultant at a Big 4 consulting firm. What makes Cheska’s journey particularly inspiring is that she consciously chose the two-year ICS program over the more commonly pursued one-year route among Filipino applicants, with a long-term vision of building a career in Japan. During her MBA, she completed three internships, explored different career paths, navigated cultural and language challenges, and eventually transitioned into M&A advisory and consulting in Tokyo. In this detailed interview, Cheska shares candid insights into: Talking Points: Academic life at ICS The close-knit international community Internships and career exploration Scholarships and program choices Adapting to Japanese culture and workplaces Consulting and M&A work in Japan Challenges faced by international professionals Practical advice for prospective MBA applicants considering Japan For applicants interested in pursuing an MBA in Japan, especially international candidates hoping to work in Japan after graduation, this interview offers valuable firsthand perspectives on both the MBA experience and life beyond the classroom. 1. Overall MBA Experience at ICS Poonam: Cheska, congratulations on graduating from Hitotsubashi ICS, your dream school. How would you describe your overall MBA experience? Cheska : Thank you, Poonam! I would describe my MBA experience as transformational, as it helped me gain clarity on my next career move. Through the program, I was able to build on my technical background in audit and accounting while developing a broader and more strategic perspective on business. The international classroom environment allowed me to interact with talented peers from diverse backgrounds, which enabled me to experience cross-cultural collaboration and expand my professional network far beyond what I had before the MBA. Other than academics and networking, the program strengthened my adaptability and readiness as a foreign professional building a life and career in Japan. 2. Favorite Memories and Highlights from ICS Poonam: What are your favorite moments from ICS? What stood out for you during the two years? Cheska : This is a tough question! I have many wonderful memories from ICS, but the most meaningful ones were shared with my classmates and the friends I made along the way. One highlight was the Global Network Week (GNW), during which students take an intensive one-week course at a member school of the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) alliance. Eager to deepen my understanding of Japan, I chose the GNW program hosted by ICS, which focused on the concept of “omotenashi,” or Japanese hospitality, and how it is embedded in cultural traditions such as tea ceremonies and flower arrangement, as well as in service-oriented companies like ANA and Yamato Transport. Through cultural experiences and company visits, I gained a deeper appreciation of how business and culture intersect in Japan. GNW also expanded my network beyond my cohort, allowing me to befriend students from the US, Canada, Indonesia, Argentina, and other parts of the world. Another core memory is the annual Auction Day at ICS. Students, staff, faculty members, and alumni offer unique experiences (such as curated tours or dining outings) as auction items, with proceeds funding class activities. What makes it even more special is that it is held on Halloween, so everyone attends classes in costume, even the professors! I successfully bid on a hiking tour of Mt. Takao hosted by ICS administrative staff and a high-class coffee experience at Ginza Six hosted by a professor. It was a fun and creative way to strengthen bonds and experience the closeness of the ICS community. 3. Academic Experiences, Courses, and Professors That Made an Impact Poonam: ICS is known for its rigorous academics and close-knit learning environment. Were there any courses, professors, or academic moments that left a lasting impact on you? Cheska: One of ICS’s signature courses, Japanese Business and Economy (JBE), was fundamental not only to my understanding of Japan but also to many of the Japanese-focused courses that followed, as well as to my internships and post-MBA career. JBE provided in-depth context on Japan’s economic development, business cultures, and practices through case studies centered on Japanese companies. Before the MBA, my understanding of Japan was fairly surface-level, but this course gave me a deeper understanding of how historical and institutional factors have shaped Japanese companies and management practices today. Our professor’s passion for the subject made the classes highly interactive and engaging. It was an intense and demanding course, but one that left a lasting impression on me. Another academic experience that stood out to me was the “seminar system,” or zemi, which is a long-standing tradition of Hitotsubashi University dating back to the late 19th century. These small, faculty-led groups of five to six students create a space for deeper discussion beyond the formal curriculum. I joined the zemi led by our Dean, and through my role as a Teaching Assistant for our Economics and Corporate Finance professor, I also became an extended member of his zemi. These zemis provided opportunities to openly discuss my career aspirations and seek guidance on my post-MBA path. Even as an alumna, I continue to participate in some gatherings and meet the new batch of zemi members. The mentorship and close academic relationships fostered through the zemi system have had a lasting impact on both my professional direction and personal growth. 4. Why She Chose the Two-Year ICS Program Poonam: You chose the two-year ICS program while many Filipino applicants prefer one-year MBAs. What motivated your decision, and how did it influence your learning journey? Cheska: When choosing between the one-year and two-year ICS programs, my decision ultimately came down to two factors: my intention to start a career in Japan and my goal of making a meaningful career pivot. The additional year gave me the flexibility to explore different internship opportunities and position myself more competitively for employment in Tokyo. Among Filipino applicants, the one-year Young Leaders Program (YLP) is understandably more popular, as it is well publicized through the Japanese Embassy and offers a streamlined process where admission and scholarship are awarded together. In contrast, the two-year program follows the regular admissions track, and scholarships such as the MEXT Research Category (the scholarship I received) are awarded separately, which makes this route less visible. In addition, YLP scholars receive a higher monthly stipend, which can make the YLP even more attractive to prospective students. Ultimately, the choice between the two programs should depend on one’s post-MBA plans. For those intending to relocate to Japan, pursue a career transition, or take advantage of exchange or double-degree opportunities, the two-year program is the better choice. On the other hand, for those who plan to return to their home country, continue in a similar career path, or are company-sponsored, the one-year program may be the more suitable option. 5. A Personal Side Beyond Academics Poonam: What were your classmates most surprised to know about you? Cheska: If there’s anything interesting about me, it’s that I was also planning my wedding throughout the first year of the program and got married early in my second year. 😊 ) 6. Contributing to the ICS Community as a Student and Alumna Poonam: What do you think is your most valuable contribution to ICS as a student and as an alum? Cheska: I believe my most valuable contribution to ICS lies in the support I continue to extend to both current students and prospective applicants. During my second year, I served as a Teaching Assistant for several courses and made myself available to junior students for guidance on making the most of the program such as insights on elective selection, tips for doing well in specific courses, or advice on securing internships in Tokyo. Beyond my role as a TA, I have been equally committed to supporting prospective students. As someone who benefited greatly from the generosity of ICS alumni during my own application process, I have always felt a responsibility to pay that support forward. I was particularly honored when a current student shared in a LinkedIn post that my guidance and encouragement contributed to his successful admission to the program. As an alumna, I have maintained close ties with the ICS Career Office and my zemi professors, which allowed me to deliver a presentation on internships and job searching in Japan based on my personal experience. I have also written blog articles about the ICS program, scholarship options, and student housing (particularly TIEC, where many ICS students reside). One reader later reached out by email to share that the article had been helpful in her application process and transition to Japan, and she is now a current ICS student. Supporting others in their ICS journey has been deeply meaningful to me and reflects my gratitude to the community that once supported me. 7. Cultural and Academic Adjustments as an International Student Poonam: As an international student, what cultural or academic adjustments did you experience during the MBA? How did you navigate them? Cheska: With classmates from a wide range of countries and professional backgrounds, I encountered very different communication styles and approaches to collaboration. Some peers were very direct and comfortable challenging ideas openly, while others were more reserved. As it was my first time in an international environment, I initially experienced a degree of culture shock. I navigated these differences by actively listening and observing how others approached discussions. Over time, this experience strengthened my ability to work in diverse teams and enhanced my confidence in contributing to complex discussions. It also helped to recognize that everyone shared the same goal of learning, so everyone was generally supportive and collaborative. Outside the classroom, building a life in Japan required adjusting to new social and practical norms. While I had studied the language and gained familiarity in some aspects of daily life in Japan, there were still many unfamiliar processes, particularly in areas such as housing and government requirements. Having classmates who were more familiar with these systems was incredibly helpful, and I benefited greatly from their guidance and support. 8. Three Internships and Discovering the Right Career Path http://myessayreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cheska1.png Poonam: You completed three internships during your MBA, which is impressive. Can you share the highlights and key lessons from these experiences? Cheska: Yes, I chose the two-year program specifically to pursue multiple internships, and it was one of the most valuable decisions I made during my MBA. Across three internships, I was able to apply what I learned in areas such as strategy and corporate finance while expanding my professional network and strengthening my profile for job hunting in Japan. More importantly, these experiences allowed me to explore different roles and gain clarity on my career direction. The internships offered me an opportunity to apply what I learned from the MBA (such as strategy and corporate finance), expanded my professional network, helped me explore different roles, strengthened my CV for the job-hunting process in Japan, and most importantly, gain clarity on my career direction. When I wrote my goals essay for my MBA application, I was interested in transitioning into a more strategic role, which initially led me to pursue internships in strategy consulting. While I found the work intellectually stimulating, I gradually realized that my strengths were more aligned with analyzing financial information. After my second internship, I felt that something was still missing. It was only when my supervisor from my first internship recommended that I try a financial due diligence role within M&A advisory that things became clearer. I enjoyed my third internship the most, and it convinced me that this was the career that I want to pursue post-MBA. Overall, these internships were instrumental in helping me make an informed career transition. They reinforced the importance of exploring different paths early on to better understand where my strengths and interests truly lie. 9. Transitioning from Student Life to Professional Life in Japan Poonam: I know it was your post- MBA goal to work in Japan for a few years post-graduation. What has life in Japan been like as a working professional compared to your time as a student? Any cultural or workplace differences that stood out? Cheska: As a student, life was more varied—each term brought new courses, exchange classmates, and opportunities to try new experiences, along with the time and flexibility to explore different regions across Japan. As a working professional, my routine has become more stable and predictable, and I have developed a rhythm centered around work, time at home, and exploring Tokyo’s neighborhoods. The nature of my role has also shifted significantly. As a student, I had the flexibility to explore ideas and learn through discussion, whereas as a professional, I am responsible for delivering clear and accurate outputs that directly contribute to client work. This was basically a shift from a “learning-oriented” mindset to an “execution-focused” one. Another key difference is the environment. In the MBA, the cohort was highly international, with only 3 Japanese students out of 55. In contrast, at work, foreigners make up a much smaller portion of the workforce—around 10%—which, while relatively high for a Japanese company, still means that adapting to Japanese business norms is essential. I have become more mindful of communication styles, expectations around teamwork, strict adherence to deadlines, and the importance of chōsei, the practice of proactively coordinating and aligning with stakeholders in a Japanese business setting. 10. Navigating Workplace and Language Challenges in Japan Poonam: Have you encountered any cultural or workplace challenges? How did you adapt? Cheska: One of the main challenges I encountered was communicating in Japanese in a professional setting. Since most of my colleagues and superiors are Japanese, I felt the pressure to communicate entirely in Japanese. This is essentially my first experience in a Japanese working environment, as I had previously worked in predominantly English-speaking settings, and I have not yet fully mastered using Japanese in a business setting, particularly when discussing technical concepts in finance, accounting, and tax. Thankfully, the firm is genuinely supportive of the professional growth of its employees, utilizing them in areas where they can best thrive. So in my case, I am primarily assigned to cross-border M&A transactions. In addition, the managers and partners I have worked with are very open to cultural and language differences. They encourage me to speak in English in situations where it is difficult for me to express myself in Japanese. At times, I speak in English while they respond in Japanese, yet we are still able to understand each other and communicate comfortably. For written work, some reports are required to be in Japanese. Knowing that I am more comfortable writing in English, I am allowed to first draft the content in English and then seek the assistance of a Japanese colleague to translate it, often with the support of AI tools. At the same time, I make a conscious effort to improve my Japanese, and I use these translated versions to better understand how my ideas can be expressed in a professional Japanese context. 11. Why She Chose a Big 4 Consulting Firm Poonam: You are now a Senior Consultant at a Big 4 firm. What initially attracted you to it? Cheska: I was initially attracted to my company because of its openness to working with foreign professionals. Based on my interview experience, Big 4 firms and other multinational companies vary in the degree to which they embrace international talent. In some interviews, much of the discussion focused on my Japanese language proficiency and how I would integrate into the company, given that I am not yet at a native level. In contrast, my interviews with my current company focused more on my professional experience and how I could contribute to cross-border projects with my existing skill set. By the end of the final interview, I had a strong sense that this was the kind of environment where I would be able to grow and contribute meaningfully. In addition, I was drawn to the firm’s strong international business exposure, its merit-based career progression system, and the diverse learning opportunities within M&A beyond due diligence. Finally, the competitive compensation package reinforced my decision. 12. Most Rewarding Aspects of Her Consulting Career Poonam: What has been the most rewarding part of your work so far? Cheska: The most rewarding part of my work so far has been the opportunity to contribute to M&A transactions that support clients’ strategic growth, synergy creation, and international expansion. I have worked on two projects involving Japanese investments in the Philippines, which has been especially meaningful to me. Being able to contribute to deals that bring foreign investment into my home country gives me a strong sense of pride and purpose. This experience is also very different from my previous roles in audit and corporate accounting, where the focus was primarily on financial reporting and compliance. In contrast, my current role allows me to be involved in forward-looking and value-creating activities. 13. How the MBA Helped Her Transition into Consulting Poonam: How did your MBA prepare you for your consulting role? Were there skills or experiences that helped your transition? Cheska: I believe that I would not have been able to transition into my current role without my MBA experience. During the first year of the program, we built a strong foundation in core business disciplines. In particular, the courses that have had the most direct impact on my role are strategy and corporate finance. Strategy helped me understand the broader context of M&A transactions and how these deals align with top management’s vision for growth and transformation. Meanwhile, corporate finance strengthened my understanding of how companies are valued, which ultimately determines their purchase price. In my current role in financial due diligence, this allows me to identify key financial risks, adjustments, and insights that may have an impact on valuation. In addition, my internship experiences played a crucial role in preparing me for the transition. My third internship, which focused on financial due diligence, gave me firsthand exposure to how consultants conduct analyses and prepare reports. As a result, I was able to start my full-time role with a practical understanding of the work, rather than beginning from zero knowledge. Finally, the internships helped me become more comfortable in a Japanese business environment—from understanding workplace expectations to even simple daily interactions, such as greeting colleagues with “otsukaresama desu.” Altogether, these made my transition into M&A advisory much smoother and more manageable. 14. The Most Meaningful Aspects of the ICS Journey Poonam: Looking back, what were the most meaningful aspects of your two-year journey at ICS? Cheska: The most meaningful were gaining clarity on my career path, being part of a close-knit and supportive community, and having a platform that enabled my transition into a working professional in Japan. Through internships, I was able to explore different roles and ultimately identify a career path that aligns with my strengths and interests. At the same time, the ICS community (classmates, professors, and alumni) provided a strong support system that made the experience both enriching and memorable. Perhaps most importantly, the program served as a bridge that helped me transition from being an outsider to establishing myself professionally in Japan. Given the challenges that foreigners often face when entering the Japanese job market, beginning my journey as a student at a reputable university in Japan was instrumental in enabling that transition. 15. Advice for International Applicants Considering MBA Programs in Japan Poonam: What advice would you offer prospective international applicants, especially those from the Philippines, considering MBA programs in Japan? Cheska: My advice would be to have a clear understanding of your career goals. Up until my cohort, most Filipino students joined the ICS program through the YLP scholarship. However, the YLP is limited to a one-year program and requires scholars to return to their home country after graduation. For those who are aiming to work in Japan post-MBA, this may not be the most suitable route. Given the shorter timeline, especially for those with limited Japanese proficiency, it can be challenging to find decent job opportunities within that period. The YLP is a better fit for those who intend to continue their pre-MBA career path and plan to return to their home country after completing the program. In addition, Hitotsubashi ICS is not the only reputable business school in Japan offering English-based MBA programs. Prospective applicants may also consider Waseda Business School and NUCB Business School, both of which are well-established institutions. While these are private universities and may have higher tuition fees compared to ICS, they also offer scholarship opportunities that applicants can explore. I also applied to both schools, so you may refer to my earlier interview with Poonam for more insights. 😊 16. Final Thoughts and Additional Resources Poonam: Is there anything else you would like to share that we haven’t covered? Cheska: Please feel free to connect with me via LinkedIn if you have any questions that were not covered in this interview! You may also read my blog article, where I discuss the MEXT and YLP scholarships for Hitotsubashi ICS in more detail: https://sakurasakunihongo.com/2024/10/09/mext-ylp-scholarships-for-hitotsubashi-ics-mba/ 17. Closing Reflections Poonam: Thank you, Cheska, for sharing your blog link as well as your experiences and reflections. These are immensely valuable resources for candidates applying for MBA programs in Japan. It was wonderful meeting you during our short stay in Tokyo. I wish you continued success in all your future endeavors. Cheska's Application Journey Want to learn about Cheska's application journey? Read my blog below, wherein she has shared her application journey to the three top MBA programs in Japan: https://myessayreview.com/student-inter ... holarship/

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