Another meeting with the ambassador

Business student Courtney Organ has met Australian ambassador to Japan, Bruce Miller, twice since arriving in Japan.
Griffith business student Courtney Organ has met Australian ambassador to Japan, Bruce Miller, twice since arriving in Japan.

Third-year business student Courtney Organ is turning an amazing international study experience into a career platform.

The New Colombo Plan scholar, who has spent the majority of 2015 in Japan, has this week met with the Australian ambassador to Japan, Bruce Miller, for the second time.

“Today was something quite special,” Courtney said. “The other Japanese New Colombo Plan scholars and I gathered together to meet with the ambassador and other members of his team at the Tokyo Embassy.

“Mr Miller was kind and quite interested in what I had been up to since our last encounter at Akita International University.”

Courtney completed a semester at Akita International University on her arrival in March before taking up an internship in the Samurai village of Gokanosho in rural Japan. She is currently completing an internship with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in Tokyo, after which she plans to return to Gokanosho to pick up where she left off.

CourtneyGroup“During the morning tea at the embassy one of the members reiterated the importance of the Japanese and Australian bilateral relationship,” she said.

“It was quite interesting learning about what actually happens at the embassy, from dealing with aspects of agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership to hosting the Australia Day event in Spring while the sakura (cherry blossoms) are in bloom in the embassy’s spectacular gardens.

“It was also exciting to hear about what opportunities there are at the embassy here in Japan, and all over the world.

“I think that’s the really wonderful thing about being a student at Griffith University and particularly a member of the Griffith Honours College; it provides you with countless opportunities that allow you to ponder over your career and education. I’ve never been so spoilt for choice!”

At SMBC, the marketing major is working with the Structured Finance Department under the Export Credit Agency team.

“I am learning just how important free trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership are. It is a very exciting time to be a business student in Japan.

“It has been a real confirmation for me that I am indeed doing the right thing over here in Japan in order to develop my career.”

New students at Griffith Business University have the opportunity to win $10,000 to put towards an international study experience. Five lucky students will get to invest this lump sum in an overseas exchange, international internship, international study tour or a community internship.

Find out more about how to enter here.

Courtney Organ was one of seven Griffith students to receive a 2015 New Colombo Plan Scholarship which has taken them to China, Hong Kong and Japan.