IATSS Forum

Warmest greeting from Vietnam to every IATSS staff and participants of the 53rd batch. I’m Vanessa, currently living in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. I’ve been knowing about IATSS forum since 2011 through an alumnus of the program. I still remembered her words, her emotion, and her enthusiasm when she told me how the IATSS forum changed her thinking system and her life, and how wonderful her time was there. Until last year, when I seek changes to my life both professionally and personally, the IATSS program emerged as a great possibility and I decided to apply. The more I studied about the program, the more inspiring it is to me and I was longing for the day I could be part of it. There are several things about the course that I felt excited about. Firstly, I’m excited with the possibility that I’ll have chance to learn from current business leaders in Japan, one of the strongest economy in the world, and from other outstanding fellows from eight other ASEAN countries. This is going to be both exciting and challenging as I need to acknowledge the differences while redefining my own thinking system. I can’t imagine how the experience is going to change me, I just know that it is what I need and it is going to be awesome. Secondly, I’m excited about the possibility of experiencing different cultures of Japan and eight other ASEAN countries through various opportunities, activities and interaction with other team members. This will certainly broaden my knowledge and bring my life experience to a whole new level. Thirdly, I’m excited that I’m going to stay in various famous places in Japan, from Nagoya - the center of automobile and aircraft manufacturing industry in Japan, to Tokyo - the modern capital city and Kyoto - the old citadel, and few others. These will be unforgettable memories as I can not only see the places, but also live and feel the vibrant of these places on my own. I can’t wait to join the 53rd batch in Nagoya this May. Let’s think and learn together!

By far, the IATSS forum is my most incredible life experience which help me grow up significantly. Thanks to continuous challenges in various forms, my perspectives on team work, team capacity building, and broader on life - how I want to live and experience it, were all reshaped. Also, the program improved myself as a person, to which I feel much more content, understand myself better, be more patient and more tolerant towards differences, and increase level of acceptance etc. With the aims to bring out the best qualities in individuals, the program’s content, the amount of knowledge provided, and the way it is delivered are so rich and varied and thus enabled us to complete the two-month journey successfully and satisfactory. For the upcoming participants, I just ask you to keep your mind always open, and willing to throw yourself out of your comfort zone without hesitation. Also, get yourself well prepared prior to going to Japan, most importantly having a clear agenda of what you want to learn, understand, and achieve during your stay in Japan. At the end of the day, you created your own journey. The better you prepare, the merrier you will be.