By Matthew Sims
Pakenham’s Beatrice Carreras has received the opportunity of a lifetime in the form of a New Columbo Plan (NCP) scholarship, supporting her to take her studies to Rikkyo University in Tokyo and securing an internship with Mitsubishi in Tokyo.
A recipient of the 2023 NCP Scholarship, she has recently completed a semester at Rikkyo University in Tokyo while pursuing a Bachelor of Psychological Science with Federation University’s Berwick campus.
A Federal Government initiative, the NCP aimed to improve knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to undertake study, language training and internships in the region.
The initiative involves a scholarship program for study of up to one year, language training and internships or mentorships, and as well as a flexible mobility program for both short and longer-term study, language study, internships, practicums and research.
Ms Carreras has secured an internship with Mitsubishi in Tokyo, scheduled from February 26 to March 8, including information sessions and visits to various industries within the Mitsubishi Group companies.
“The internship with Mitsubishi allows NCP scholars to gain insight on the intricacies and cultural nuances that exist in Japanese business concepts and operations,” she said.
“We will be going on field visits to a range of industries across Japan that the Mitsubishi Group operates in.
“We get to meet leaders within these different industries, and receive lectures and attend sessions on a diverse number of areas such as production, marketing, disaster prevention strategies, and so much more.”
Ms Carreras said she was excited to explore the company’s organisational dynamics.
“The great thing about this internship is that it offers valuable experiences for scholars across any field of study,” she said.
“There are so many work practices, both spoken and unspoken, that I am eager to learn about during this opportunity.”
Beatrice said she was excited about this opportunity, highlighting its relevance to her degree and her personal NCP goal to forge connections and immerse herself in Japanese culture, especially from an organisational psychology perspective.
“Any internship related to people or culture is beneficial to my degree and my personal NCP objective to build connections and learn about Japanese culture in the context of organisational psychology,” she said.
For more information about the NCP initiative, visit www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/new-colombo-plan
