Grace Escosia

Attorney

“Working in SY taught me how to be more humble and more resilient at work. I learned how to be flexible in my work product and in my expectations to my surrounding environment.”

 

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

Japan was better than I imagined. Even though I could not speak the language, the people were friendly and helpful. The Japanese culture is intoxicating and incredibly fascinating. I am grateful to have the opportunity to live in Japan and experience the greatness of this country first hand.

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

Aside from the language barrier and being mindful of certain cultural practices, I had a smooth transition into the Japanese daily life. I found a great church and amazing friends, both inside and outside the work place, who helped me adjust to the Osakan lifestyle. Since I also started living independently from my family, I had to learn how to budget my money wisely, pay my bills, cook my own meals, and do my own laundry. Eventually, I adjusted in my new environment and developed my own routines.

What have been your three fondest experiences in Japan?

I have experienced many firsts in Japan like snowboarding in the snowy mountains of Hokkaido, paragliding in the sand dunes of Tottori, windsurfing in the crystal clear waters of Okinawa, exploring the amazing cities of Nagoya, Tokyo and Okayama on my own, participating in a Japanese tea ceremony in Kyoto, and watching my first baseball game at the Koshien Stadium. I also attended the Gion and Osaka Tenjin Matsuri festivals, which are two of the three biggest summer festivals in Japan. In my opinion, each travel experience is a different opportunity to discover new things about Japan.

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

traveling around Japan every chance I get. I want to visit all 8 regions of Japan and at least half of its 47 prefectures during my stay in this beautiful country. I also passionately serve at church every Sunday.

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

When I first started working in SY, some of my co-workers, who were also foreign staff in the office, helped me adjust to the Japanese work life by teaching me the ins-and-outs of the office. I observed that my co-workers were disciplined and dedicated to their work, and they worked very hard for five days a week and enjoyed most of their weekends. Since the office had a mindful company culture, my co-workers execute their work carefully and notice even the small details. This motivated me to be always on my toes and work effectively and efficiently at the same time.

What three words best define your experience in Japan thus far?

Amazingly Blessed Firsts.

What are the challenging or difficult aspects of your work?

Researching and learning foreign laws can be a bit tricky, especially when the available materials are in another language different from your own. Thankfully, there are some English materials found in the internet and patent office websites. Each project is different, and you must be resourceful and creative in doing your research in order to give good sound advice.

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

Working in SY taught me how to be more humble and more resilient at work. I learned how to be flexible in my work product and in my expectations to my surrounding environment. In doing so, I keep an open mind and heart for opportunities to improve my knowledge on my chosen field of work.

Could you share a story from your time with SY that exemplifies our work culture in action?

I was part of a team which participated in an international competitive bidding for a certain project. We had to collect numerous information from different persons and draft bidding documents in a short period of time. We also had to learn everything about the bidder and the bidding system (especially all of its requirements) in order to make sure that we submit quality work. Like any project, we invested our time and energy to finish the work timely.

What advice would you give a potential new co-worker?

Be prepared to step out of your comfort zone. Humility and hard work will help you in your stay here in SY. Always keep an open mind and try to enjoy learning from your other co-workers who have been part of SY for a long time.

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

Punctilious. Diverse. Proactive.
Masigasig. Mabusisi. Dalubhasa.