Una Zhou

Biotechnology Specialist

“I have improved my critical and analytical thinking. The job requires us to analyze and think very thoroughly, and often from different perspectives. This can be very interesting and challenging.”

 

What was the most difficult aspect of adjusting to work and life in Japan initially?

The language barrier of course, which I suppose is the same for every foreign staff here. The Japanese don't speak much English, which is especially difficult at the beginning as there was so much to learn and to know about. Nevertheless, eventually I got by and picked up a little Japanese.

How was Japan in reality to what you had imagined before you arrived?

Actually Japan is quite like what I have imagined. I used to watch a lot of Japanese cartoons and dramas so everything turned out to be just the way it was depicted.

What were your fondest experiences in Japan thus far?

The views of traditional Japanese architecture under different seasons and different surroundings. The cherry blossom in the spring, the newly greens in the summer, the red leaves in the autumn and the white glistening snow in winter – they are really suit the temples and shrines. The architecture just naturally fuses into the backdrop, making it quite a beautiful view.

I am looking forward

to my trip to Hokkaido this summer. I've done quite substantive research for my trip and can't wait to work that out.

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

Be flexible and adaptive. I work on many different cases every day for many different clients. The cases vary significantly from one technical field to another. So it's quite important to quickly adapt oneself to deal with the numerous diverse situations.

How would you describe your co-workers during your initial time at work?

They are very nice and patient, especially my teammate. The help is always at hand whenever I ask.

What work skills and habits have you learned or improved from your time here thus far?

Critical and analytical thinking. The job requires us to analyze and think very thoroughly, and often from different perspectives. This can be very interesting and challenging.

What are the challenging or difficult aspects of your work?

The work load and long hours. This is a demanding job, which requires one to work with great speed yet maintain great quality.

Can you describe a successful work assignment that was your proudest professional moment thus far?

There was a rather difficult rejection where the Examiner had been quite stubborn and we didn't really have much to work around. Although it would have been easier to raise a white flag; yet I strongly believed and insisted there was room to argue. Eventually we successfully challenged the Examiner's position and secured the client's desired embodiments. Everyone was quite surprised that we actually made it in spite of the odds and doubts.

What three words describe the Firm best? First in English, then in your mother tongue

Professional; Trustworthy; Client-Oriented. 专业;值得信赖; 以客户为中心.