🚀 Time for new beginnings 🚀

Hi everyone, some may be wondering why #newsbits disappeared.

Well, I have a small life update that has kept me occupied - After almost 4 years of a very fulfilling time in Japan, the time has come to pursue another adventure and challenge.

I will be spending the next 2 years of my life at Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, pursuing an MBA (+ MS in Design Innovation as a dual degree). It had always been an ambition of mine to attend a prestigious business school, and I am honoured to get such an opportunity.

Many around me already knew, but for the past 1.5 years, I had been working (much harder than usual), to apply for business schools.

From giving the GMAT (multiple times), doing school outreach, writing essays, interviewing, getting rejected and getting accepted - all while also working full time at Rakuten, volunteering for mymizu and running ProductTank Tokyo and Japan Product Camp. This process has truly been one of the most demanding activities I have ever experienced, and a true test of patience, self-confidence and mental effort.

Sincere gratitude is due for some of the key people who played a core role in the past year as I went through this process. 🙏🏼

Jennifer Jackson, Thank you for your guidance during the process, and motivating me, especially during the lows (and there were quite a few of them).

Kotaro Kumagai-san and Mariko McTier, I could not have asked for better recommenders than you. Thank you for being invaluable mentors, having faith in me, and for taking out the time to write those letters - even during the holidays.

I am definitely not the best standardized test taker to be honest. I was lucky to find TOP ONE PERCENT - they created a comprehensive self-paced GMAT course that I could take even while I was working abroad. It helped me get a competitive score of 740/800 (97th percentile).

To everyone who I reached out to - mentors, students, alumni - thank you for your time, each conversation added immense value to my decision making.

And finally, in the trend of always paying-it-forward, if there is anyone who is planning to apply for an MBA in the upcoming year(s), please do not hesitate to reach out to me, I am happy to help out in any way by sharing what I learnt or helping connect to others who could be helpful.

As I wrap up my life in Tokyo, I am doing a lot of reflection on all the opportunities I have had to contribute and learn from the great organizations and communities here, I hope I have the chance to share them in the future through my writing.