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Interview: On-the Job Training in Silicon Valley | YOSHIWATARI Shota (California, USA)

Post date:26/Oct/2019

We talked to a GAC student, YOSHIWATARI Shota, about his overseas "On-the Job Training" education program.

Basic information

YOSHIWATARI Shota

Department: Applied Chemistry and Life Science

Year: 4th year undergraduate (at the training time)

Location: InfiniteBio Inc., Sunnyvale, California, USA

Period: January 4-February 23, 2019

Please tell us about your activities in the On-the Job Training.

InfiniteBio is a biotechnology company consulting and collaborating on technology development in Silicon Valley. In the On-the Job Training here, you can work on themes that are appropriate for your specialty.
My focus was "Classification of drug efficacy by logistic linear classifier". Fortunately, I was able to achieve good results in six weeks, using measures such as flexibly improving the program on the way and trying for more accurate classification using different algorithms. I felt I achieved a lot and that it was worth the effort because I could contribute to the company who were looking after me.

What was the atmosphere of the company where the On-the Job Training took place?

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Around the office

Actually, this was my first time to go abroad. The president of the training company was Japanese, and he was concerned about me settling in, so I felt good about being overseas for the first time.
As for the On-the Job Training, after the theme was given, the company let me proceed with the research my own way. I provided regular feedback and confirmed the work was proceeding well.
I worked in a shared office and sometimes had lunch with people working at the next desk. When I cooked rice with a rice cooker, people started commenting, saying that the rice smelled good. Shared offices are common in Silicon Valley.

Why did you decide to conduct your On-the Job Training overseas?

I had always wanted to go abroad, to leave Japan in order to experience a wide range of values, and meet different people, so the On-the Job Training was a very good opportunity.
In the GAC (Global Technology Architects Course) to which I belong, Japanese students generally conduct On-the Job Training overseas. I wanted to learn about cutting-edge technology in Silicon Valley, so I chose a company with a track record in my department.

What impressed you about the events in the United States?

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Since this was my first time abroad, I was in trouble, because I didn't even know how to get from the airport. I downloaded the Uber app on the spot and managed to get to my accommodation. I was surprised that you could turn right at a red light.
Also, I wasn't confident about English, so when I was able to order my favorite drink at a Starbucks, I felt like I had overcome an obstacle. Before returning to Japan, I became more confident in talking with other people in English, such as talking to Uber drivers.

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With the sharemates

I found my room on Airbnb and shared it with two Germans. Sometimes we talked and my sharemates gave me some advice. I went to work by bus.
I participated in various events. I made VR games at an event that I learned through the Meetup app, for example, a game development meetup. I also participated in biotech events and visited farms.

You were active at TUT Global House. For example, you introduced "Slack" as a team IT leader. Did that experience help you in any way?

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At a meetup event

I suppose so. Living in a share house helped prepare my mind and I felt that I could cope with changes in my life style without being stressed. Then, in Silicon Valley, I started to try various things, but maybe my experience with Global House was the root.

Please tell us what you gained from this experience and your future aspirations.

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Beach in Southern California

In California, where many different people come, I encountered various values and ways of thinking, and gained confidence, broadened my horizons, and improved my motivation. Seeing amazing people taking on challenges, I felt like I could do something like them.
Of course, gaining knowledge and skills in data science was also a great asset.
There are some things I wanted to do, like staying for another 1-2 months, or going to the pitch contest, but all in all it was such a great experience.
I hope to provide services that will reduce agricultural instability in the future. I would like to make use of my experience in the United States in future research and business operations.


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