Arvina Irene

Legal Assistant

“My co-workers are the best type of people you could possibly work with. They helped me learn the ropes quickly and I can always rely on their help if I'm facing any difficulties. They also almost always give me food which is great.”

 

What is your most treasured possession that you've obtained during your stay in Japan thus far and why?

My apartment. It was the first time I had to find an apartment by myself and it truly made me feel like an adult. The first time I moved into my apartment was the first time I felt at home in Japan.

How would you describe the atmosphere within your team?

My co-workers are the best type of people you could possibly work with. They are patient and helpful, and I relied on them a lot at the beginning when I was first starting out at the job. They helped me learn the ropes quickly and I can always rely on their help if I'm facing any difficulties. They also almost always give me food which is great.

How did you manage to learn a lot about your work within a short period?

I asked a lot of questions at the beginning. My team leader and co-workers were nice about it and helped me whenever they could. But most of what I learned came from trial and error. I made mistakes but I learned from them and made sure I never made the same mistake twice. It takes a while to get the hang of it but it eventually does get easier.

Do you feel like you're having an impact directly on the clients that you work for?

Yes I do. Everything thing we do here, even if it as insignificant as sending a short e-mail, plays a role in helping the clients achieve their goal.

What are the challenging or difficult aspects of your work?

The long working hours. The firm has a lot of important clients and the work load can be heavy at times and I have had to adapt to the demanding nature of this job. Some days are better than others and I have grown used to the long hours.

When I am not at work, I am ...

enjoying the night life that Osaka has to offer, exploring new places or beating my colleagues at board games.

What were the initial difficulties of adjusting to life in Japan?

An initial difficulty I had when I first moved here was making friends and finding people to hang out with outside of work. It can be very lonely moving to a new country and not knowing anyone. The first week was tough but eventually I got to know my colleagues a lot more and now I spend almost every weekend exploring Osaka with them.

What was the most pleasant surprise you experienced at work?

During White Day at the office when I was showered with chocolates all day. It is a tradition that doesn't exist in my home country but it should. It was an enjoyable day.

What is the best thing about being a part of a global team?

In my opinion, the best thing about being part of a global team is the diversity in personalities and characters. I find myself learning from how my colleagues work and using that to improve myself. It is also great to receive interesting souvenirs from all over the world when my colleagues come back from holiday.

What advice would you give to newbies?

Make an effort to get to know your co-workers because they will be the ones you rely on the most. Be ready to adapt, learn and grow and do not be easily discouraged by mistakes or criticism.

What is the most important thing that working at the firm has taught you about yourself?

Working at the Firm has made me realize that I am capable at adapting to a field of work that I had no prior experience in. I started this job without a law background or prior knowledge of the Intellectual Property field. But with a lot of hard work and determination, I was able to learn and adjust to it.

Of all the adjectives floating in your brain, give us three that best describe your life in Japan

Exhilarating, extraordinary and inspiring.