Purifying ourselves at the Chozuya with holy water before entering Meiji Jingu shrine.

Author: Brianna Swafford | Major: International Business Marketing | Semester: Summer 2024

For 4,015 days, it’s been Japan. Japan has been the answer to, “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?”, “What’s the number one thing on your bucket list?”, and “What do you want for your birthday?” The answer has never changed.

2,012 days ago, I was supposed to visit Japan with the ultimate tour guide – my Obaachan (grandmother), who grew up in Tokyo. This was my dream come true, as my Obaachan is the reason I have dedicated much of my academic career towards learning Japanese and the culture. The spark she lit in me at such a young age never faded. 1,589 days ago, the Covid-19 pandemic began to rage across the planet. Japan remained at the top of my list.

413 days ago, I discovered CIEE and their internship program in Tokyo. From that day on, I prepared for what I hoped would be the opportunity of a lifetime.

214 days ago, I was accepted to the program. I was finally going to Japan. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect—a summer internship in Tokyo was beyond what I could have imagined a few years earlier. Nine weeks in Japan was certainly better than the one-week trip I had initially planned, making all the waiting and disappointment from canceled trips worth it.

Thank Pronoia It’s Friday (TPIF)

“Thank Pronoia It’s Friday” or “TPIF” is a phrase that became a fun part of my experience at Pronoia Group. This simple catchphrase helped me quickly feel like part of the team and embrace the company culture. Pronoia Group, a small management and marketing consultancy in Tokyo, provided me with a unique professional experience. The CEO, Piotr Feliks Grzywacz, a Polish entrepreneur, investor, consultant, and author, was actively involved with my team throughout the internship. This experience aligned perfectly with my academic focus and future ambitions, as I aspire to own my own business one day.

My internship was situated in the heart of Tokyo’s business district, providing me with a vibrant and fast-paced environment that added an exciting dimension to my professional development. In order to achieve the primary task of exploring strategies to increase global reach and attract a wider English speaking audience for our supervisor, a significant amount of time was spent researching, drafting, and collaborating on ideas, ultimately leading us to focus on a newsletter. This newsletter would be an extension of our supervisor’s 17 books written in Japanese to appeal to an English audience. Research was key in the development of the project, as well as drafting and compiling content for the newsletters.

By the end of the internship, my team successfully launched a completed newsletter hosting website with three published editions. Additionally, we created a comprehensive 100+ slide PowerPoint detailing the research and logistics needed for the project’s continuation. This presentation included contributions from each team member, covering topics such as target market research, design and logo prototypes, book translations, social media analyses, and much more.

Confronting the Uncomfortable

While my experience at Pronoia Group was incredibly rewarding, it wasn’t without challenges. Initially, my team struggled to come together and work cohesively. We often got too focused on our individual projects and lost sight of the overall goal. Additionally, communication with our supervisor was sometimes unclear, leading to challenges in getting tasks done right the first time.

The biggest challenge, however, was inter-team conflict. One team member did not take the project seriously, which caused tension and disrupted our progress. Addressing this issue was difficult, but it ultimately led to growth in my conflict resolution skills.

Reflecting on these experiences, I would not change anything. I believe I made the choices I thought were right at the moment. Now, I am proud to be able to say I will approach conflict differently in the future, as these challenges have taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Unveiling New Perspectives

My internship allowed me to apply my knowledge of global marketing strategies and understand the unique challenges of adapting campaigns to different cultural contexts. Working in Japan pushed me out of my comfort zone, fostering a greater sense of independence and confidence. The learning experiences and opportunities in this workplace exceeded my expectations, and I know I will continue to reflect on this experience for years to come.

What’s Next

Reflecting on the conclusion of my internship at Pronoia Group, I find it difficult to accept that this invaluable experience has come to an end. Words cannot fully express my deep gratitude for the incredible people I have met and worked with during this time. Many of my skills which I had confidence in were put to the ultimate test here, and while I made mistakes, it only allowed me to grow as a writer, marketer, teammate, and person. As I return to the University of Arkansas to complete my degree, I am excited to bring back the skills and insights I gained from my internship in Japan. Pronoia Group has inspired me to continue working hard, and who knows—one day I may find myself as a permanent member on the team.