Maria Victoria Tinio

The Reason Why You Chose GSM

Going to grad school has always been one of my goals. I saw it as a way to take a mental break from work, while simultaneously cultivating the skills necessary to shift to my desired career path. With that in mind, Kyoto University/GSM was my first and only application.

I specifically sought the international MBA program because it was offered in English and featured several foreign and female faculty members. By Japanese standards, these two points alone are a great rarity, and showed GSM’s strong global and inclusive approach to education, which I felt were important to me as a foreign woman in Japan. I was also interested in the networking opportunity offered by the school’s rich connections within various industries and academic disciplines. I felt that GSM fostered the perfect environment to meet people from different backgrounds, exchange ideas, and learn from each other.

What You Learned at GSM

Prior to GSM, I already had a business background from my bachelor’s degree and work history. However, the classes I took not only helped refresh this knowledge, they also introduced new ways of thinking and working. For example, I took strategic management and consumer culture classes because they were new topics to me, but both lectures’ balanced combination of theory and practice (specifically, via case studies and groupwork) helped me find connections to my past experiences, and thus sparked a newfound appreciation for these fields.

I was also able to reinforce my personal commitments as a marketing professional during my time at GSM. This was thanks to the immense freedom we had in conducting our final research project, called Workshop. In the process of pursuing my own academic interests, I learned more about myself and the contributions I wanted to make to society.

The Reason Why You Chose Your Career Plan

My first job was in brand marketing for a large food company in the Philippines, before I moved to Japan and began working in education. During the pandemic that followed, I rediscovered a desire to return to my marketing roots and put my communication skills to use, particularly on the global stage. I also loved art and Japanese media since I was young, so I specifically set my sights on working in the creative industry upon graduation.

Needless to say, being a student at GSM gave me the chance to make that difficult and daunting leap across industries, and finally work a job that better aligned with me and my goals. Even beyond this, I know that the people I met and experiences I gained, have all transformed me into a more well-rounded and confident person, ready to excitedly tread new paths.

What Impressed You About GSM

As mentioned previously, the school's network is one of the best, and students can benefit from it regardless of their field or work background. Several classes invited esteemed international professors, business owners, and government officials as guest lecturers, many of whom actively conversed with students before or after classes, even leading to employment or other partnerships. There were also field trips that exposed me to sides of Japan I otherwise would never have encountered by myself, such as centuries-old traditional businesses within Kyoto.

Also, rather than forcing you onto a set path or curriculum, there was a lot of academic freedom and autonomy in GSM. I was assigned a supervising professor to guide me in my studies, but the extent of this guidance can largely be up to the student. In my case, I received the perfect balance of advice and breathing space, which suited my learning style while also pushing me to greater heights.

Extracurricular Activities You Have Done

Between regular classes and studying for JLPT N1, I experienced working as a part-time English teacher, a tutor to five international students, a teaching assistant for Women’s Leadership class, and a research assistant. Despite the seemingly full schedule, I still had plenty of time to enjoy my hobbies of seeing live concerts, travelling both across Japan and internationally, as well as painting. I participated in two art exhibits in Sendai using local washi paper, and was even featured on a local news program.

I have also worked as an interpreter at events, the consulate, and at city hall, which somehow got me involved in the brand creation of an NPO/business incubator for female entrepreneurs in Kyoto. Such opportunities to use my skills to contribute to society, while sometimes unexpected, felt truly worthwhile.

Message for Prospective Students

Grad school is a major decision that can shape one’s career and life. That’s why I endlessly worried about what would happen post-enrollment—if I could do well, adjust to my new environment, if I would lag behind my peers back home, and so on. It was only after I took the plunge that I realized, quelling these initial concerns all depended on my own efforts and perspective.

Focusing on self-improvement and new experiences, my two years at GSM ended up incredibly fulfilling. Amidst Kyoto’s exceptional beauty and history, I could pause and realign with myself, find my ‘why,’ and share my skills with others. I forged lifelong friendships with countless intelligent and passionate individuals, expanding my network and horizons.

Everyone walks a different path, so your grad school experience will be what you alone make of it, and comparisons will only do you and your unique talents a great disservice. So rather than stressing over social pressures or future uncertainties, I hope you can consider studying at GSM as a rare chance to have fun, connect with a wider community, and become the best version of yourself.

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