The special series to put a spotlight on our international staff, “Eyes, JAPAN employee interview” is back! Our 9th interviewee this year is Abeez Ur Rehman from Pakistan.

He has been working in Eyes, JAPAN for about 10 months, and now he is mainly involved in the web development projects. We wanted to ask Abeez about his life in Japan, why he came to Japan and what does he think about working in Eyes, JAPAN.

(Interviewer: Angie)

Loves Sports and Can Speak 4 Languages!

Why did you come to Japan and what do you like about Japan?

Abeez: I came to Japan because it was my childhood dream to live here. My father had been working here ever since I was a small child, so I grew up hearing stories and seeing pictures of Japan. Even after spending 10 years in Africa, I was still fascinated by its culture, history, and nature. I also wanted to experience the friendliness, respectfulness, and hospitality of the Japanese people.

What do you think about life in Aizu?

Abeez: I like Aizu because it reminds me of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Both are small towns surrounded by mountains, but Aizu has more greenery and natural beauty. The weather is also very pleasant and mild, unlike the hot and humid climate of Pakistan. And the snow is amazing! It covers everything in white and makes everything look magical. I also got the chance to try snowboarding for the first time.

What is your favorite way of spending the weekend or holidays in Aizu?

Abeez: I like to spend my free time either with my friends or family. With my friends, we usually go to karaoke, arcade games, or bowling. With my family, we like to cook together, play board games, or watch movies. Sometimes I also like to go out and explore new places, such as other towns surrounding Aizu.

What is your hobby and how do you usually spend your free time?

Abeez: My hobbies are Soccer, table tennis, and video games. I like sports because it is fun and exciting, and it keeps me fit and healthy. In my spare time, I mostly watch movies or TV series on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. I also read tech news on websites like TechCrunch, Wired, or The Verge. I like to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in technology. Additionally, I make plans with my friends for traveling or hanging out. We have visited places like Tokyo, Nikko and Sendai together. We also enjoy going to cafes and restaurants.

What is your academic background and what kind of research are you doing or have you done before?

Abeez: I have studied in a total of four countries, including Pakistan, Uganda, South Africa, and now Japan. My education has been very diverse and enriching. I have a Cambridge International High School Certification called IGCSE(International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and GCE A Level (General Certificate of Education of Advanced Level). I have also experienced different cultures, such as Islamic, African, and Asian. I acquired different skills, such as adaptability, communication, and problem-solving. My education has prepared me for a global and dynamic world.

Do you have any things or skills that you are proud of?

Abeez: I can speak and understand three languages, and I am currently learning a fourth one. The languages are Urdu, Punjabi, English, and Japanese. Urdu and Punjabi are my native languages, and I speak them at home with my family. English is my second language, and I learned it at school and through media. Japanese is the language of Japan, and I am learning it at university and through immersion.

What do you think is the current hottest technology-related topic?

Abeez: I think AI (Artificial Intelligence) is the most important technology trend right now. AI is the ability of machines or systems to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, decision making, or perception. AI works by using algorithms or models that process large amounts of data and learn from patterns or feedback. Some of the applications or benefits of AI are: improving health care, education, security, entertainment, transportation, communication, and productivity. However, AI also poses some challenges or risks, such as: replacing human jobs, creating bias or discrimination, violating privacy or security, causing harm or accidents, or becoming uncontrollable or unpredictable. Moreover, AI raises some ethical or social issues, such as: who is responsible for the outcomes or impacts of AI? How can we ensure that AI is fair, transparent, accountable, and trustworthy? How can we balance the benefits and risks of AI for humanity?

Eyes, JAPAN: Friendly, Supportive, and Lots of Opportunities for Growth and Development

How did you know about Eyes, JAPAN and why did you decide to join Eyes, JAPAN?

Abeez: I was informed about Eyes, JAPAN from friends who worked at the company when i expressed to them that I am also thinking about starting some part-time work. Having no prior experience in working at any company, I decided to join Eyes, JAPAN because I was impressed by its vision of creating innovative and impactful solutions for global challenges. I also liked its mission of empowering people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to collaborate and learn from each other. I also appreciated its values of excellence, creativity, and integrity. I was interested in its projects that involved web development, AI, and UI/UX design, which are aligned with my skills and passions. I wanted to gain experience and knowledge in these fields, and also learn from the Japanese working culture.

What is your role and what kind of projects have you been working on in Eyes Japan?

Abeez: I tend to deal with frontend and backend web development and have learned a lot of new skills and knowledge in web development, AI, and UI/UX design, and I have worked on some exciting and challenging projects. I have also received some positive feedback and recognition for my work.

What customs in Eyes, JAPAN that you like the most?

Abeez: One of the customs in Eyes, JAPAN that I like is the weekly presentation that takes place every weekly meeting. I like this custom because it helps me to learn about others’ interests and experiences.

What do you think about your colleagues in Eyes, JAPAN?

Abeez: Very kind and understanding, helping out at the second you message in the group. I enjoy working in Eyes, JAPAN because it has a friendly and supportive culture, a flexible and comfortable environment, a diverse and talented team of colleagues, and a lot of opportunities for growth and development.

What about the working environment in Eyes, JAPAN?

Abeez: The working environment in Eyes, JAPAN is versatile and flexible. You have the freedom to come to the company at the time that is convenient for you. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, with no strict dress code or hierarchy. The culture is supportive and collaborative, with regular feedback and recognition. I like this working environment because it helps me to work efficiently and effectively, as well as comfortably and enjoyably.

What do you think about working at the company and working at home?

Abeez: Personally, I prefer working at the company rather than working at home. I feel that it is easier to update the full-time staff on my progress and ask for help if I am stuck instantaneously when I work at the company. I also feel that it is easier to communicate and collaborate with my colleagues when I work at the company. I also appreciate the guidance that I receive from the full-time staff when I work at the company.

What kind of problems or challenges have you faced while working in Eyes, JAPAN, and how did you solve it?

Abeez: One challenge that I faced while working in Eyes Japan was not knowing some of the web development frameworks that were required for some projects. For example, I did not know how to use React for frontend web development, or Node.js for backend web development. These frameworks were new and unfamiliar to me. To overcome this challenge, I researched and studied these frameworks using various sources and methods. For example, I read documentation on Next js website and I also followed some tutorials on YouTube that showed me how to use these frameworks for different purposes or scenarios.

Dream: Work on Improving Automotive Industry

Have you experienced any culture shock while working in Japan?

Abeez: I have not experienced much culture shock while working in Japan, because I had read about and watched videos about the working experience in Japan before coming here. However, I have noticed some differences and similarities between the Japanese working culture and my own working culture. For example, I have noticed that the Japanese working culture is very devoted and focused, as people work hard and sometimes overtime to achieve their goals. I admire this work ethic, but I also think that it is important to have a balance between work and life. I have also noticed that the Japanese working culture is very polite and respectful.

Can you give some pros or cons of working at a Japanese company?

Abeez: Working at a Japanese company has some pros and cons. One of the pros is that you get exposed to learning more Japanese, as there are more interactions with the locals and some phrases that might not be in books. One of the cons is that you might face some difficulties or challenges in adapting to the Japanese working culture, such as long working hours, strict hierarchy, or indirect feedback.

What motivates you to keep working and studying?

Abeez: I have many motivations to keep working or studying. One of them is to lead as an example to my siblings, as I am the eldest and first child to enter a university. I want to show them that they can also achieve a degree and pursue their dreams.

Any advice for people who wants to work in Japan?

Abeez: I would definitely recommend you have good Japanese listening and speaking at least as most companies require it so without it it really does limit your options to work at Japanese Companies as there are quite a few English friendly companies like Eyes, Japan.

What kind of projects do you want to work on in the future?

Abeez: I would like to continue working on web development as well as something related to UI/UX design and AI.

Lastly, what is your dream?

Abeez: My dream is to research and develop some new technology or feature with the use of computer science for the improvement of the automotive industry.

Thank you!

If you are interested in Eyes, JAPAN and would like to hear other stories, please do not hesitate to contact us at the following contact form.

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