The special series to put a spotlight on our international staff, “Eyes, JAPAN employee interview” is back! Our 35th interviewee is Yassine from Tunisia.

He has been working in Eyes, JAPAN for about 6 months. We wanted to ask Yassine about his life in Japan, why he came to Japan and what does he think about working in Eyes, JAPAN.

(Interviewer: Angie)

Japan: Advanced Yet Old-Schooled

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

Yassine: I came to Japan to study and to have new adventures. I like how advanced yet “old-school” Japan is.

What do you think about life in Aizu?

Yassine: Although Aizu is considered a countryside town in Japan, every day you discover something new and different, or sometimes even the similarities between Aizu and my home city in Tunisia feel like good coincidences.

How do you usually spend your free time?

Yassine: I like to explore new areas. I’ve been spending most of my free time going to new places and learning from the experiences.

What is your academic background and what kind of research are you doing now?

Yassine: I did my undergraduate in Embedded systems engineering and IoT devices. Currently my research is about Neuromorphic computing and Spiking Neuron Networks.

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

Yassine: My research field obviously!

Likes the Variety and International Background in Eyes, JAPAN

How did you know about Eyes, JAPAN?

Yassine: I know about Eyes, JAPAN from fellow students in the University of Aizu.

Why did you decide to join Eyes, JAPAN?

Yassine: I decided to join because I wanted to learn and gain experience in the working industry while simultaneously doing my research in the university.

Do you have any working experiences before joining Eyes, JAPAN?

Yassine: I had some jobs and internships but due to studies, I never worked a full-time job.

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

Yassine: I am currently a part-timer at Eyes, Japan. So far, I mainly worked on the Fishery Market Monitoring project.

What do you like the most about Eyes, JAPAN?

Yassine:  I like the variety and international backgrounds of my colleagues.

What do you think about the working environment in Eyes, JAPAN?

Yassine: I like the working environment. It makes you feel motivated to work.

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

Yassine:  Obviously working from home is more convenient and efficient especially if you live far from company, but working at the company is also as, if not more rewarding since you get to contact other staff members directly.

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

Yassine: I think working in projects that are related to my research would be ideal.

Tips: Learn Japanese to Expand Your Network

Have you experienced any culture shock while working in Japan?

Yassine: Not a cultural shock I think but I love how people mind their own business while at the same time almost everyone is friendly and helpful.

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

Yassine: Although I heard a lot of cons about working in a Japanese company, working at Eyes, JAPAN feels like a very good experience since most of the staff are from different backgrounds and cultures so you get a plethora of experiences all in the same pot.

How do you balance your working and private time?

Yassine: The balance I found as a university researcher and a part-timer in the company is to have 1-2 days every week working at the company since it’s good to change the rhythm a bit and not be in the university all week.

What motivates you to keep working and studying?

Yassine: The fact that I am working and studying in one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world always keeps me motivated to do better.

Any advice for people who wants to work in Japan?

Yassine: Even though you don’t need Japanese language skills, it’s very helpful if you plan on expanding your network in Japan.

Lastly, what is your dream?

Yassine: … My dreams and goals change every now and then, even the long-term ones! I can’t give a response that would probably change in a week or so.

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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Everyone welcome.