AIU TOPICS
AIU Voices
Student Voice: Oskar Malmsten, Linköping University, Sweden
Oskar (far right) with friends from the International Student Orientation at the Fall 2015 Entrance Ceremony
Academic Experience
My specialization at home is Business, specifically Finance, so I’m talking all business-related courses here, including Bank of Japan and Business Cycles, Environmental Economics, Corporate Finance, International Finance, and Contemporary Japanese Economy.
Contemporary Japanese Economy
My favorite class has been Contemporary Japanese Economy because the professor brings in interesting anecdotes from his professional experience. We look at not only the Japanese economy, but also the way Japan views western economies, which has been a unique and interesting perspective. For example, a personal anecdote about a project that gave US businessmen an unimpeded chance to sell in Japan, to counter their claims of protectionism. Even with no barriers, they failed because they didn’t understand the local economy’s needs. This kind of insight has given me the ability to approach economic issues from angles that I hadn’t considered before.
Although little in the course is directly related to becoming a finance professional in the future, I think it has broadened my perspective and increased my analytical skills, which is equally important for me.
Difference in Class Dynamics
In one of my classes, I happen to be the only international student, which has been an interesting experience. At my home university, I rarely spoke up in class because I was surrounded by more vocal students who raised points that I hadn’t considered. But in this class, I have found that I have had to challenge myself to take on more of a leadership role.
Extracurricular Activities: Basketball Club
The Basketball club has been my primary way to meet and become friends with Japanese students, which was one of my goals when I came here.
I found the club during the club sign-up day. Actually, I think I signed up for every club that was proactive that day in reaching out and encouraging international students to join. I was really happy to see that so many clubs were enthusiastic about getting international students to join. But in the end, the Basketball Club was the best fit for me, so that’s where I’ve been active.
Campus Housing: Komachi Hall
I live in Komachi hall and my roommate is a Japanese freshman. This is only his second semester at AIU and he was a little shy at first so it was hard to talk, but as the semester went on, he grew more confident and his English conversation improved significantly, so we have a great arrangement now. Honestly, though, I rarely spend time in my dorm room except to sleep- I’m almost always out with my friends!
I would say that my time at AIU has been some of the best 3 months of my life.
Oskar (far right) with friends from the International Student Orientation at the Fall 2015 Entrance Ceremony
Academic Experience
My specialization at home is Business, specifically Finance, so I’m talking all business-related courses here, including Bank of Japan and Business Cycles, Environmental Economics, Corporate Finance, International Finance, and Contemporary Japanese Economy.
Contemporary Japanese Economy
My favorite class has been Contemporary Japanese Economy because the professor brings in interesting anecdotes from his professional experience. We look at not only the Japanese economy, but also the way Japan views western economies, which has been a unique and interesting perspective. For example, a personal anecdote about a project that gave US businessmen an unimpeded chance to sell in Japan, to counter their claims of protectionism. Even with no barriers, they failed because they didn’t understand the local economy’s needs. This kind of insight has given me the ability to approach economic issues from angles that I hadn’t considered before.
Although little in the course is directly related to becoming a finance professional in the future, I think it has broadened my perspective and increased my analytical skills, which is equally important for me.
Difference in Class Dynamics
In one of my classes, I happen to be the only international student, which has been an interesting experience. At my home university, I rarely spoke up in class because I was surrounded by more vocal students who raised points that I hadn’t considered. But in this class, I have found that I have had to challenge myself to take on more of a leadership role.
Extracurricular Activities: Basketball Club
The Basketball club has been my primary way to meet and become friends with Japanese students, which was one of my goals when I came here.
I found the club during the club sign-up day. Actually, I think I signed up for every club that was proactive that day in reaching out and encouraging international students to join. I was really happy to see that so many clubs were enthusiastic about getting international students to join. But in the end, the Basketball Club was the best fit for me, so that’s where I’ve been active.
Campus Housing: Komachi Hall
I live in Komachi hall and my roommate is a Japanese freshman. This is only his second semester at AIU and he was a little shy at first so it was hard to talk, but as the semester went on, he grew more confident and his English conversation improved significantly, so we have a great arrangement now. Honestly, though, I rarely spend time in my dorm room except to sleep- I’m almost always out with my friends!
I would say that my time at AIU has been some of the best 3 months of my life.