主な対象者

海外への留学プログラムマップ2024年度

プログラム名奨学金等

一橋大学海外派遣留学制度（交換留学制度）

大学基金等 (給付型)学部3-4年生

グローバルリーダー育成海外留学制度

大学基金 (給付型)●本学協定校への交換留学(協定校 約100校)●留学期間１年以内●派遣先大学毎に異なる語学要件等あり●単位互換認定可●アメリカ：ハーバード大学●英国：オックスフォード大学, ケンブリッジ大学, LSE●留学期間１年以内●派遣先大学毎に異なる語学要件等あり●募集人数４人程度●単位互換認定可●アメリカ

学部2-4年生

一橋大学サマースクール等留学制度 ＊大学基金等 (給付型)

学部生

大学基金等(給付型)
異文化交流研修（春期・マレーシア工科大学）

バークレー校／サンタバーバラ校／リバーサイド校／サンディエゴ校）●カナダ：ブリティッシュ・コロンビア大学●イタリア：ボッコーニ大学●英国：LSE, ロンドン大学東洋・アフリカ研究院, グラスゴー大学●オーストリア ：ウィーン経済大学●スペイン：ESADEビジネススクール●デンマーク：コペンハーゲン経済大学●ドイツ：マンハイム大学●フランス：パリ政治学院, HEC経営大学院●韓国：ソウル大学●シンガポール ：シンガポール経営大学●中国：北京大学, 中国人民大学
●香港
：香港大学
●オーストラリア ：クィーンズランド大学●留学期間２週間～２ヶ月程度●派遣先大学毎に異なる語学要件等あり●単位互換認定可●スペイン：Bergé社●留学期間５週間程度（春季授業休業期間中）●７単位認定●TOEFL79
（iBT）
, 577
（PBT）
, TOEIC820, IELTS6.5程度（スペイン語能力（DELE中級以上）保持者は優遇）●マレーシア：マレーシア工科大学●留学期間３週間程度（春季授業休業期間中）●４単位認定：スタンフォード大学, ペンシルべニア大学,ボストン大学, オレゴン大学,
カリフォルニア大学（デーヴィス校／アーヴァイン校）,
テキサス大学オースティン校●英国：グラスゴー大学,サセックス大学, ロンドン大学東洋・アフリカ研究院●オーストラリア ：ニューサウスウェールズ大学,シドニー大学,クィーンズランド大学,
モナシュ大学●留学期間３週間,４週間,または５週間程度（夏季または春季授業休業期間中）●派遣先大学毎に異なる語学要件等あり●４~７単位認定（派遣先大学により異なる）

February 2 - March 9

２０２４

異文化交流研修（春期・スペイン企業派遣）：ペンシルべニア大学, スタンフォード大学,
カリフォルニア大学（ロサンゼルス校／アーヴァイン校／デーヴィス校／

International Talent Programme 2024

異文化交流研修（春期・スペイン企業派遣） 学生体験記

学部3-4年生
大学院生

条件等

HITOTSUBASHI UNIVERSITY
一橋大学

全学プログラム

一橋大学

Study Abroad Programs●アメリカ

海外語学研修（英語）＊

学部生

ドイツ語短期海外語学研修 ＊

大学基金等(給付型)●フランス：サン=テティエンヌ大学附属の語学・文明国際センター
またはグルノーブル大学附属の大学フランス語教育センター●留学期間４週間程度（春季授業休業期間中）●６単位認定●大学院生も参加可能だが、単位認定不可

フランス語短期海外語学研修●台湾︓台湾師範⼤学●留学期間３週間程度（夏季授業休業期間中）●６単位認定●⼤学院⽣も参加可能だが，単位認定不可

中国語短期海外語学研修

経済学部・法学部グローバル・リーダーズ・プログラム
主な対象者
学部生

プログラム名経済学部短期海外調査（アジア新興国）＊
経済学部短期海外調査（欧州）＊

学部3-4年生
大学院生

法学部GLP国際セミナー（ベルギー）＊
Euro-Asia Summer School

学部3-4年生

法学部GLP国際セミナー（⾹港・台湾）＊学部3-4年生
大学院生

法学部GLP国際セミナー（英国）＊International Seminar (UK)

学部3-4年生
大学院生

法学部GLP国際セミナー（米国）＊International Seminar (USA)学部3-4年生
大学院生

法学部GLP国際セミナー（豪州）＊
International Seminar (Australia)

学部3-4年生

法学部GLP国際セミナー（韓国）＊●ドイツ：アーヘン語学アカデミー●留学期間４週間以内（夏季授業休業期間中）●６単位認定●大学院生も参加可能だが、単位認定不可

奨学金等

大学基金等 (給付型)

条件等●今年度は中国を予定●留学期間10日間程度（夏季授業休業期間中）●連動する基礎ゼミナールとセットで履修し８単位認定（春・夏学期基礎ゼミナール２単位、秋・冬学期基礎ゼミナール２単位、短期海外調査４単位）●今年度はフランスを予定●留学期間11日間程度（春季授業休業期間中）●連動する基礎ゼミナールとセットで履修し８単位認定（春・夏学期基礎ゼミナール２単位、秋・冬学期基礎ゼミナール２単位、短期海外調査４単位）●今年度はルーヴェン・カトリック⼤学・ソウル⼤と共同で、ベルギー・韓国にて開催予定●留学期間は２週間程度（夏季授業休業期間中）●２単位認定●全学部、全大学院を対象とする●留学先は香港を予定●留学期間は４日間～５日間程度（開催時期はシラバス参照）●２単位認定●全学部を対象とする

大学基金等
（給付型）

●今年度はケンブリッジ・オックスフォード大学にて開催予定●留学期間１週間程度（冬季授業休業期間中）●２単位認定●全学部、全大学院を対象とする●今年度は未開講●２単位認定●全学部、全大学院を対象とする●交流大学：モナシュ大学との共同開講●開講期間：秋冬学期予定（オンライン形式）●２単位認定●全学部、全大学院を対象とする●今年度は海外派遣を実施しない。ソウル⼤学からの受⼊については未定。
●２単位認定●全学部を対象とする※感染症の拡大状況により、中止またはオンライン開講となる場合があります（オンライン開講の可能性があるものには＊印を付してあります）

STUDENT REFLECTIONS
Volume 15

INTERNATIONAL TALENT PROGRAMME 2024
STUDENT REFLECTIONSTABLE OF CONTENTS
0 1 Open ing Remark s
0 3 C ourse In formation
0 6 Member Introduction s
0 8 Bergé y Compañ ía In t r odu cti on
1 0 Bergé & Astara Office L i fe
1 4 Visits & In teractio n s
2 0 A Day in Madrid
2 2 Studen t Reflections
4 6 Messages from Men tor s
4 8 Shizu k a’s ArtVentur es
5 0 Spicing Up Your Culi n a r y Adven t u r e

プログラム

URL

一橋大学サマースクール等留学制度

https://international.hit-u.ac.jp/abroad/summerschool/

一橋大学海外派遣・
グローバルリーダー育成海外留学制度

https://international.hit-u.ac.jp/abroad/haken/

海外語学研修（英語）https://international.hit-u.ac.jp/abroad/abroad/festa/

ドイツ語短期海外語学研修

https://international.hit-u.ac.jp/abroad/abroad/german/

フランス語短期海外語学研修

https://international.hit-u.ac.jp/abroad/abroad/france/

異文化交流研修（スペイン、マレーシア）

https://international.hit-u.ac.jp/courses/short-term/#B

経済学部 短期海外調査

http://www4.econ.hit-u.ac.jp/glp/?page_id=7

中国語短期海外語学研修

商学部 渋沢スカラーシップ

https://international.hit-u.ac.jp/abroad/abroad/taiwan/

https://www.cm.hit-u.ac.jp/learning/ssp/index.html

経済学部 グローバル・リーダーズ・プログラム http://www4.econ.hit-u.ac.jp/glp/
法学部 グローバル・リーダーズ・プログラム

http://www.law.hit-u.ac.jp/faculty/glp

社会学部 グローバル・リーダーズ・プログラム https://glp.soc.hit-u.ac.jp/index.html

お問い合わせ先国際教育交流センター留学生・海外留学相談室
URL…https://international.hit-u.ac.jp/cgee/advising/

学務部教務課留学支援係(派遣担当)
TEL…042-580-8764 ／ E-mail…edu-gs.g@ad.hit-u.ac.jp

学務部教務課留学支援係(短期留学担当)（海外語学研修（英語）およびサマースクール等留学制度）
TEL…042-580-8175 ／ E-mail…g-skills.g@ad.hit-u.ac.jp

5 1 Taste of España
5 3 Unforgettable Mem or i es Ou r D i a r ies i n S pa in
5 9 Bu dget Breakdown
6 0 Messages from Korea n C oll ea g u es
6 2 Messages for Futu r e In ter n s
6 4 C oncludin g Words

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024
Student Reflections
一橋大学異文化交流研修（春期・スペイン企業派遣）
学生体験記

発行者
印刷

デザイン

2024年 9月 発行

一橋大学国際教育交流センター〒186-8601 東京都国立市2-1
株式会社オリエンタル

YUKANO IDEA
https://www.yukano-idea.com

OPENING REMARKSThe Magic Begins in Cuzcurrita
No one from the past International Talent Programme (ITP)
would disagree that an overnight retreat in Cuzcurritade Río Tirón stands out as one of the most unforgettable
experiences of the five-week training. The bonds forged andrenewed amidst the charm of Cuzcurrita fosters empathy
and self-disclosure among us all. The ITP staff deliberately
leverage this Cuzcurrita setting to catalyze the developmentof multicultural friendships among Japanese and Korean
students during the program’s first week. As one staff member
aptly observed, “This is where the magic begins.”
This time, the magic inspired a playful business idea withinme as we made our way back to Madrid. Throughout theyears, ITP participants have become familiar with Castillo deCuzcurrita (CDC), renowned for producing a limited quantity(approximately 200,000 bottles annually) of high-quality Rioja
wine with unwavering passion and traditional winemaking.
Despite their excellence, CDC’s wines are primarily distributed
to select restaurants and outlets, making it challenging foroverseas residents to access them.
Enter “Club Cuzcurrita,” a subscription service designed todeliver CDC wine to its members in Japan. Members commit
to purchasing a set quantity of CDC wine annually, whichis then delivered to their doorstep semi-annually. Initiallyexclusive to the Bergé Friends in Japan, the membershipgradually expanded to include their acquaintances. Bringing
this service to fruition required a solid client base (theBergé Friends in Japan), a dedicated producer (CDC), andlogistical support specializing in overseas distribution ofsmall quantities of wine. Current and former ITP students
contributed their business ideas and resources to streamline
the process, eventually establishing this exclusive service.
With its brand firmly established in Japan, CDC has thepotential to emerge as a premium label in the Japanesemarket.
As our chartered bus approached Madrid’s bustling city
center, my reverie had to pause here. Unloading our luggage
and bottles of CDC-purchased wine, I remained filled withinspiration, envisioning a future where “Club Cuzcurrita”
enables us to toast with Señorio de Cuzcurrita in the comfortof our homes in Japan, without having to visit the winery inperson. Dream on, for indeed, the magic begins in Cuzcurrita.
In closing, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at
Bergé y Compañía who conceptualized and executed theInternational Talent Programme – Chairman Jaime Gorbeña,
and International Talent Programme Coordinator Lucía
Los Arcos Magdalena, wonderful Bergé mentors and staff
members, particularly Juan Diez Del Corral Ugarte andMarcos Chacón Madrazo at CDC, all of whom have nurtured
our students for 15 years. ¡Gracias por todo!

Jin AbeDirector and Associate Professor
Center for Global Education and Exchange
Hitotsubashi University

本体験記内には、職場の同僚とワインを飲むといったビジネスシーンの表記や写真があります。スペインでは昼食の一部 としてワインを１～２杯飲み、その中で商談や懇談を行うのが一般的な慣習です。昼食の後もまた働くわけですから深酒はしません。日本における接待や懇談に相当する部分が午後２時から４時の間に行われているといった感覚です。
一方で、酔って大声を上げたり、はしゃいだり、迷惑をかける行為は大
人らしさを欠く行為としてタブーとされています（お祭りはその限りではありません）。 上手にお酒をたしなむことはスペイン文化において人間関係構築の潤滑油として根付いています。これらの文化背景を踏まえた上で飲酒に関する表記をご理解い
ただければ幸いです。

OPENING REMARKS

1OPENING REMARKSCOURSEINFORMATION

Cervantes’ Perspectivism, Multicultural Collaboration,and Self-reflection:
The Five-week Internship at Bergé y Compañía
Miguel de Cervantes’ timeless work, Don Quixote, delves
into the complexities of human perception and the subjective
nature of reality. Cervantes uses perspectivism in this mostimportant work, weaving his imaginative narrative and thephilosophical perspective approach emphasizing multiple
viewpoints. In Cervantes’ world, characters interpret theirexperiences in unique ways to the same situation, much like
individuals from different cultural backgrounds in a workplace.
For us, varied interpretations can be applied to the modern
context of diverse cultures and nationalities coming together
in a professional setting, as exemplified by the five-weekinternship at Bergé y Compañía.
Spain, with its rich history and vibrant culture, serves
as an ideal backdrop for a multinational internship. The
amalgamation of cultures in the workplace mirrors thetapestry of Spain’s own diverse heritage, where Greco-Roman,
Germanic tribes, to name a few, as well as Moorish, Christian,and Jewish influences have shaped a unique national identity.
Embracing this cultural mosaic not only aligns with Cervantes’
perspectivism but also underscores the importance ofacknowledging and respecting different worldviews in a
globalized professional environment.
The multinational collaboration of Japanese, Indonesian,Thai, Korean, and let us not forget Spanish, in this five-weekinternship setting extends beyond the mere coexistenceof cultures: it facilitates the exchange of ideas, practices,and values. This cross-cultural learning experience not
only contributes to personal growth but also fosters a more
inclusive and harmonious work environment.
However, just as Don Quixote’s perceptions occasionally led
him astray, challenges may arise in a multicultural workplace.
And so, effective communication and mutual understanding
become paramount as does self-reflection. The character of
Don Quixote himself serves as a compelling example of theinterplay between perspectivism and self-reflection. Quixote’s
chivalric delusions reflect his unique lens on the world, a
perspective that both perplexes and captivates those aroundhim. Through his adventures, Cervantes invites readers toconsider the transformative power of self-reflection. In ourown lives, embracing a degree of quixotic self-awarenesscan lead to a deeper understanding of our motivations and arecognition of the narratives that shape our individual realities.
In essence, Cervantes’ perspectivism and the act of selfreflection are intertwined, forming a symbiotic relationship2

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

that enriches personal growth. Just as the characters in Don
Quixote navigate a world of shifting perceptions, individuals
engaging in self-reflection become attuned to the nuancesof their own changing perspectives. This process fosters adeeper connection to one’s authentic self and an appreciation
for the fluidity of personal truths. By embracing both
perspectivism and self-reflection, individuals embark on ajourney towards greater self-awareness and a more nuanced
understanding of the multifaceted nature of reality.
The pages of this reflection report chronical the adventuresof six brave Japanese, Indonesian, and Thai university
students, while working alongside six Korean colleagues, anda host of Spanish businessmen and women as they navigate
the complex Spanish workplace and society. Immerse
yourself in their unique perspectives and share their trials,
tribulations, and triumphs. Follow along as they expand theirunderstanding and broaden their worldview. Certainly, theperspective they held of themselves, Spain, business, andmore, and indeed how it all fits together in present-day world
at the start will change over the course of the internship. I
think Miguel de Cervantes himself would be proud.

Schedule 曜日時限

秋冬学期
水曜日４限ときに４～５限（15:15～最大18:55）

Instructors 教員
阿部 仁
ジョン F. マンキューソ

Course Outline 授業概要

異文化交流研修（春期・スペイン企業派遣）では、春季休業期間に5週間、スペイン・Bergé社にて、グループスタディ形式で異文化に触れ、講義、研修、実習に参加する。

Attainment Target 授業科目の到達目標

文化の違いを越えて協働する経験を通じ、グローバル社会で実力を発揮できる自信を育て、異文化環境におけるコミュニケーション能力（自分から発信する力、異なる考えを受信する力）を向上することを学習目標とする。

Grading Criteria 成績評価の方法

オリエンテーションプログラムへの参加とクラス運営（役割）への貢献度（30％）
、派遣先によるパフォーマンス評定（30％）
、体験記の完成（40％）により総合評価する。妥当な理由がない限り欠席は2回までとし3回以上欠席したものはFとする。

John F. Mancuso
Associate Professor
Mori Arinori Institute for Higher Education
And Global Mobility, Center for General Education

Date
2023

2024

Activities
September

13

Course Information Session

October6

Deadline for Submitting Intent to Participate (to Academic Affairs Office)October

11

Group Interview by Faculty Members

October25

Deadline for Submitting Application (to Academic Affairs Office)November

6

Announcing Selected Participants (via Academic Affairs Office bulletin)

November

8

Pre-Departure Orientation No.1 Kickoff, Overview, Travel Logistics

November

15

Pre-Departure Orientation No.2 Guide to Publishing the Best Report Ever

November

22

Pre-Departure Orientation No.3 Spanish Culture/Madrid

November

29

Pre-Departure Orientation No.4 Spanish Lesson

December

6

Pre-Departure Orientation No.5 Spanish Lesson

December

13

Pre-Departure Orientation No.6 Spanish Lesson

January

24

Pre-Departure Orientation No.7 Tying Loose Ends, Editors’ Meeting

February 2 – March 9

Short-Term Study Abroad (5 weeks)

March

14

Post-Program Reflection Meeting

April

28

Program Promotion/Presentation at the Campus Study Abroad Fair

March to September

Developing Student Reflection Report

COURSE INFORMATION

3

PROGRAMCALENDAR
2024
MONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

February

FRIDAY

1

SATURDAY2
Departure from Tokyo5

6

08:15 Pick Up at Apartment
09:00-17:00 Business Training
09:00 Welcome Reception
12:00 Bergé y Compañía Corp. Presentation
14:00-15:00 Spanish Class

12
09:00-17:00 Business Training
14:00-15:00 Spanish Class13

19

09:00-17:00 Business Training
13:00-15:00 Visit to Toyota España

27
09:00-17:00 Business Training

4

4

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

21
09:00-17:00 Business Training
14:00-15:00 Spanish Class

5
09:00-17:00 Business Training

09:00-17:00 Business Training

7
14:00-15:30 Farewell Lunch
16:00 Final Presentations

24

1

25
Free Day

2
Free Day

8
Free Day

18
Free Day

Free Day

09:00-17:00 Business Training
09:00-17:00 Business Training
20:00 Dinner with Japanese Ambassador

6

Free Day

Free Day

09:00-17:00 Business Training

11

17

23

29 March

28

10

16

22

4
10:00 Madrid Tour

Toledo Tour
Return to Madrid
18:30 Soccer Match

09:00-17:00 Business Training

09:00-17:00 Business Training

09:00-17:00 Business Training
14:00-15:00 Spanish Class

915
09:00-17:00 Business Training3
16:00 Arrival at Madrid
16:30 Pick Up at Airport
17:00 Transfer to Apartments

14:00 Lunch

08:15 Breakfast at Cuzcurrita
11:00 Brunch
15:00 Arrival at Madrid
20:00 Dinner

09:00-17:00 Business Training
14:00-15:00 Spanish Class

09:00-17:00 Business Training

8

14

20

26

09:00-17:00 Business Training

10:00 Pick Up at Apartment
13:00 Visit Cuzcurrita

09:00-17:00 Business Training

09:00-17:00 Business Training
14:00-15:00 Spanish Class

7SUNDAY

3
Free Day

9
Free Day

PROGRAM CALENDAR

5

Bergé 2024

MemberIntroductions
Takafumi Terahara

Faculty：Economics
Year ：Senior

It is a great honor for me to be a member of this wonderful program. Certainly, being chosen
has stirred deep ambitions within me to advance myself on many levels. I believe that honesty andcalmness are my outstanding traits, which I hope to add to during this five-week internship. I
dedicated the four years of my university life to the Rowing Team. Just after I retired, I decided totake a gap-year to widen my perspectives and learn more about society and this vast world before
I start my career as a global businessperson. This is because I strongly aspired to better enhance
my leadership abilities and build on relationship skills that I learned from my Rowing Team
experiences. I was happy to have found this program which will give me the chance to go abroadand challenge myself with new experiences. Also, the International Talent Program offers a lot ofopportunities to communicate with international students and Spanish mentors and to visit many
significant places in Spain. So, all these many varied experiences will help me to develop myhuman capital. Thus, I have no doubt that this program will broaden my mind and will be an asset
to demonstrate my leadership which will assist me in my future career on a global scale.

Shizuka Kobayakawa

Faculty：Law
Year ：Senior

I am currently a fourth-year student at Hitotsubashi University’s Faculty of Law and am very
interested in the intricate relationship between law and international business. I am diligently
studying to become a lawyer and plan to enroll in law school next year. My dream is to be
involved in cross-border cases within corporate legal affairs, recognizing the importance ofunderstanding and harmonizing different cultures in today’s globalized society. I am confident that
this internship at Bergé y Compañía will be an incredibly valuable experience for me. In
particular, the experience at a Spanish company will significantly broaden my international
perspective and understanding of diverse business cultures and legal frameworks. I aim to enhance
my communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and cross-cultural adaptability while
collaborating with individuals from different backgrounds, transcending language and culturalbarriers. I firmly believe that experiences in various environments are essential for a successfulcareer as an international lawyer. I eagerly look forward to utilizing this invaluable opportunity at
Bergé y Compañía to foster personal growth and take a step closer towards achieving my futuregoals.

Khadijah Fathya Khairunnisa

Faculty：CommerceYear ：Junior

Being in new environments that contribute to my learning and personal growth always excites
me. Studying in Japan as an international student has not only broadened my perspectives but has
also equipped me with the adaptability needed to navigate unfamiliar situations every time I
encounter a problem. Along the way, I’ve forged valuable friendships with people from around theworld who have been supportive while managing and living in an international dormitory housing
over 700 residents from more than 30 different countries. These experiences have not only mademe comfortable in accepting challenges and meeting new people but have also fuelled my desire
to seek more diverse experiences. When I came across the International Talent Program by Bergéy Compañía, I immediately felt delighted envisioning myself growing through the internship in aninternational work setting with colleagues from Japan and Korea in a country that I have nevervisited before. Through this program, I am eager to gain hands-on experience in management
within one of Spain’s largest trading companies, while exploring Spanish culture. As someone
who dreams of starting a business on a global scale, I aspire to leverage these experiences andmake the program a stepping stone toward my goal.

6

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

Aki ItoFaculty：CommerceYear ：Sophomore

I’ve always sought stimulating challenges and consistently exploring interests that captivate
me. With this in mind, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness and am thoroughly content
with the fulfilling experiences that have shaped my life so far. However, as I seriously contemplate
my career path, I find myself grappling with sudden uncertainties about what values matter mostto me in the future and how I can enrich and fulfill both my professional and personal life. So,
when I saw the flyer of the International Talent Program, I was deeply impressed by how thepeople of Spain are surrounded by marvelous art and a rich culinary culture, and they manage toenrich both their work and personal lives. In my eyes, the way the people in Spain live
authentically and enjoying not only their job but also life itself appeared incredibly enviable.
Inspired by the desire to lead a vibrant and exciting life similar to theirs, I felt a strong urge toapply for an internship in the country of passion—Spain. Through the internship at Bergé yCompañía, I aspire to challenge my abilities to further my growth and most importantly, learn awork-life balance, all in pursuit of enjoying my life to the fullest without any regrets.

Mahiro Horita

Faculty：Economics
Year ：Sophomore

My fervor for securing this internship is rooted in a profound and abiding passion forinternational development, underscored by a genuine fascination with diverse cultures. My
academic journey, coupled with my active engagement in international initiatives, has been
instrumental in nurturing a robust desire to actively contribute to the advancement of developing
nations. The pursuit of international activities has not only honed my communication skills but
has also served as a catalyst for reinforcing my commitment to addressing pressing global
challenges. In envisioning my long-term trajectory, I harbor a steadfast ambition to work inesteemed institutions such as the World Bank or the United Nations, dedicated to combatting
pervasive worldwide poverty. Recognizing the Bergé International Talent Program as atransformative opportunity, I am eager to immerse myself in an international team, anticipating
the acquisition of invaluable insights and skills that will undoubtedly propel me closer to therealization of my lofty aspirations. I am enthusiastically prepared to embrace the challenges
inherent in this program, viewing them as stepping stones to rich learning experiences thatpromise to not only enhance my professional capabilities but also contribute significantly to myoverall growth in the global development landscape.

Sawat Kingwattanagul

Faculty：Economics
Year ：Sophomore

To be given an opportunity to participate in an internship at Bergé y Companía has been one of
my aspirations since enrolling in Hitotsubashi University. From my experiences of living andstudying abroad, I have come to realize that being able to step outside my comfort zone has
allowed me to push myself to confront and overcome difficulties. Therefore, I am more thandelighted to be selected as a member of this International Talent Program. Throughout the
program, I am looking forward to learning new perspectives, developing my interpersonal skills,
and preparing myself to become a more valuable contributor as a global citizen. Moreover, while
studying Spanish at university, I discovered that Spain is rich with diverse cultures and history
and countless fascinating heritage sites, igniting in me not only a passion for gaining academic
knowledge, but also a strong desire to know more about Spanish culture and witness, with myown eyes, what Spain has established over its long history. I am confident that these five weeks
will not only furnish me with invaluable work experiences alongside professionals but will also
serve as a compass, guiding and assisting me in determining my future career. I am more thanthrilled to start a new chapter in my life, to take off to create an unforgettable memory, and savor
every moment of my new journey in Spain!

MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS

7

BERGÉ Y
C O M PA Ñ Í A
INTRODUCTIONCREATING VALUE THROUGH ENTRENEURSHIP

Bergé y Compañía stands as an investment holding
company, dedicated to nurturing and growing our partner

About
Bergé yCompañía

For Bergé y Compañía, value equates to growth — growth for thecompany, its employees, profitability, and new business ventures.

companies while seeking out new businesses.

Innovation is ingrained in our DNA. Generating value throughentrepreneurship entails adopting a proactive, inventive, andgrowth-oriented mindset.
Since 1870, this attitude has enabled us to take on new challenges,
overcome obstacles and difficulties, and always go beyond where
we had reached.

Our
VisionOur story spans over 150 years, always guided by the core
principle of teamwork, commitment, initiative, and the

Our Culture
andHeritagevalue of keeping our word.

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

Practical Training Site 1

Bergé

Bergé is the benchmark operator in logistics
services and solutions that integrates the entire
supply chain to facilitate global goods
transportation. It is a leader in Spain and has apresence in Mexico and Colombia.

Founded by three visionary entrepreneurs from Bilbao in
1870, Bergé y Compañía has been at the forefront of
Spanish business development, spanning the industrial
revolution of the 19th century to the digital revolution of
today.

8This is what we call Entrepreneurship at Bergé y Compañía.

Practical Training Site 2

AstaraAstara is a company focused on open, personal,
and sustainable mobility. We help you travel toyour desired destinations in a way that suits
your preferences. Our solutions range fromvehicle ownership to pay-per-use options(subscription and sharing).

BERGÉ Y COMPAÑÍA INTRODUCTION

9OFFICE
LIFE
Practical Training Site 1

Bergé
Bergé Moved by Logistics is a leading figure in logistics

and received task assignments from my colleagues. These

services and solutions, holding a prominent position insessions covered topics like financial analysis, budgeting,

the Spanish market. It specializes in managing the entire

and risk management, providing me with valuable insights

logistics chain, ensuring goods reach their destinations on

and skills essential for my role. In the afternoons, I focusedtime and in top condition while cutting costs and offeringon completing my assigned tasks with attention to detail,tailored solutions. In the office building, there are twoseeking feedback from mentors and colleagues to ensure

separate floors. One floor is called the Operation Tower

accuracy and effectiveness. Lunch breaks, which werewhich operates all the shipping and vessels at the ports.

usually taken at 1 pm, provided a chance to connect withAnother floor is mainly composed of Human Resources,

coworkers and enjoy Spanish cuisine, while also building

Client Service, Finance, Engineering, as well as otherrelationships within the office. Additionally, a few times a

departments.

week, we participated in online Spanish lessons, further
enriching our cultural and linguistic knowledge. As I

10

During my internship, I was based in the Financereflect on my internship experience, I am grateful for the

department on the third floor of our office building, where

opportunity to learn and grow within such a dynamic

my workday typically ran from 9 am to 5 pm. The Financeand supportive environment. This experience has notdepartment encompasses various branches, and I had

only enhanced my understanding of logistics but has

the opportunity to work with different teams on a rotating

also equipped me with valuable skills for my future careerbasis. Each morning, I participated in learning sessions

endeavors.

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

OFFICE LIFE

11

OFFICE
LIFE
Practical Training Site 2

AstaraAstara is an open mobility company, with a human-to-

can find a variety of eateries ranging from Burger King andhuman approach, committed to sustainability. It offers

udon shops to Spanish cuisine. It’s worth trying lunch at

personal mobility solutions, with options for the different

such a place at least once. We tried Hawaiian poké there.

needs of each user, depending on the maturity of eachEveryday, we left the hotel at 8:00 and took the metro

market, including ownership, subscription, and car sharing.

to get to the office. There were transfers along the way,

A mobility ecosystem, backed by data intelligence andand it usually took about an hour to reach the office. We

supported by the Astara platform. With a business of overwould start work at 9:00 and head to the assigned room

5 billion euros in 2022, Astara’s diverse team has more

for the day as instructed via email. In my case, I often

than 50 nationalities, in 19 countries and 3 continents,

had meetings scheduled from around 10:30 for about an

Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

hour, so I would work on tasks given by my mentor until
the meeting started. Then, around 12:00, we would takeAstara is located about a 10-minute walk from the nearest

our lunch break. Since people in Spain typically start

station. Cherry blossoms bloom at the entrance of theeating lunch around 14:00, the underground dining area

office, providing a soothing sight on sunny days. The

is quite empty around noon. If you want to eat outside,

office is relatively new, so it’s exceptionally clean. It spansmany restaurants don’t open until 13:00, so you may needfour floors above ground and one underground. Inside,

to wait a bit. Once, my mentor took me out for a meal,

it feels spacious, with sunlight pouring in throughout

and we enjoyed delicious tapas at a restaurant. Afterthe building, creating an open and airy atmosphere. We

lunch, depending on the day, we would have Spanish

often worked in the basement, where a coffee makerclasses starting around 14:00. The classes were a lot of

was available, ensuring we could enjoy delicious coffee

fun. We would work until 17:00 and then head home.

anytime we liked. Additionally, there was an area for lunch

Many of Madrid’s museums offer free admission in thewith a microwave and a hot water dispenser, allowing uslate afternoon or evening, so sometimes we would visit

to easily prepare and enjoy simple meals or bento boxes.

a museum after work. The dinners we had together after

We often took our lunch breaks here. Just a 5 to 10-minutework were also delicious and enjoyable.

walk from the office, there’s a restaurant mall where you

12

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

OFFICE LIFE

13V ISI TS & I NT E R AC TI O N S

Palacio Real de Madrid

14

Our first official visit, organized by Bergé y Compañía,
was to one of the most famous attractions in Madrid,
the Palacio Real de Madrid. It was the initial event weand our Korean colleagues did together. The Palacio
Real de Madrid is the largest palace in Western
Europe and is among the largest in the world, withover 3,000 rooms. We were amazed by the incredible
exterior and stunned by the marvelous interior. The
only disappointment was that we could not takephotos from inside the palace to share how beautiful

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

the art and rooms were.
After we enjoyed the Palacio Real de Madrid,
Diego and Lorena, staff members from Bergé,
brought us to have lunch at a highly recommended
restaurant called La Casa Del Abuelo. We enjoyedcountless Spanish dishes and were delighted to beable to strengthen our friendship with our Koreancolleagues. This official trip was definitely a perfect
start to our first journey in Spain!

Cuzcurrita Trip Day 1

The second official event we had was an excursion
trip to Cuzcurrita, a tiny village in the La Rioja region,
located in North Central Spain, which is home to the
Bergé wine factory. It was extremely exciting to beable to spend a night inside Castillo de Cuzcurrita(Castle Cuzcurrita), a castle built between the 14thand 15th centuries. After our arrival, we enjoyed aquick walk around the village and were impressedby the authentic European-style houses. Moreover,the scenery viewed from the observation deck was

breathtaking. At night, we had a tour of the factory,
where we learned that Bergé really puts effort
into the production to ensure that the wines areorganic and of high quality. Consequently, we had
a full-course dinner with Cuzcurrita wine. It was an
unforgettable day.

VISITS & INTERACTIONS

15

Cuzcurrita Trip Day 2

On the second day, we woke up early and took a walkaround the castle. The morning vibe hits different,
and the atmosphere was magical. We had breakfast
in the castle which was a novel experience for us.

Football Match
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

On our way back to Madrid, we stopped for lunch at
Landa, a very fancy restaurant where we savoured
delicious dishes.

A Daytrip to Toledo
On our second weekend,
we had our second official
daytrip to Toledo. Locatedjust about an hour awayfrom Madrid, we arrived
at Toledo, a city rich withc u l tu r e , h i s t o r y a n d i s
recognized as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. Toledo
was once the capital of
Spain until Phillip II moved
the capital to Madrid.
T h e p a n o ra m a v i e w o f
the cit y with the Tagus
River seen from Miradorde Valle was incredible
and unforgettable. As
we explored the city, we

16

learned that three religions
were practiced: Christianity,
Islam, and Judaism. The
city’s landmark, the Toledo
Cathedral, is one of the mostsignificant cathedrals in
Spain, some consider it tobe the magnum opus of thegothic style architecture in
Spain. It was an enjoyable
day b e i n g a b l e to v isi t
Toledo.

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

By warm invitation from Bergé, we enjoyed thisexciting football match at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu,
which is Real Madrid’s main stadium. The mostimportant point was that this game was played by
Real Madrid (1st place in LaLiga) and Girona (2ndplace), so the stadium was completely full of people,
and the fans went crazy throughout the game. Someof us bought the uniform of Real Madrid to remember
this event. The game resulted in 4-0 by Real Madrid
winning. We visited Toledo on the same day in thedaytime and the football game in the evening. So,
we could feel the historical aspect of Spain and the
Spanish atmosphere of a sporting event in one day.

VISITS & INTERACTIONS

17

Interaction with Bergé Staff
Welcome Breakfast Bergé HQVisit to Toyota España

At t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s o f B e r g é yCompañía, we 12 students from
Hitotsubashi University and Chung-Ang
University are welcomed by President
Jaime Gorbeña, coordinator Lucia
Los Arcos, and our nice mentors. This
breakfast was the first time to meet withstaff at Bergé, so we introduced eachother and shared the information about
our backgrounds and the coming ITP
assignments.

Lunch with President Jaime Gorbeña
La Lonja del Mar
The president of Bergé invited allof us to have lunch at “La Lonja delMar ” in Madrid. We enjoyed the
Spanish traditional tapas and had aconversation with not only President
Gorbeña but Japanese workers from
Astara. At the end of the lunch, wegave a present from Japan to Mr.
Gorbeña of a bottle of craft Japanesesake.

Farewell Lunch & Last Day of Internship
El Txoco
At “El Txoco” near our office, we
students and our mentors gatheredand enjoyed a Spanish meal asa f a r e w e l l p a r t y. We a r e g i v e ncertifications of ITP, and we showed
our huge gratitude to those who wereinvolved. After this lunch, we gave
our final presentation in the office as
our output of this internship and said
goodbye.

18

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

Toyota España is located near the Bergé Logistics
office and Astara office, which just completed arenovation. After looking around the new office,
the CEO Miguel Carsi greeted us and then the
manager gave us a presentation about their current
strategy. They are the market leader in Spain, andthey are trying to change their business just now
to achieve a carbon neutral goal far earlier thanJapan. It was interesting and we learned a lot. Afterthe presentation, we had lunch together and talked
about not only business but Spanish and Japaneseculture and careers in both countries.

Dinner with Japanese Embassy Staff
Nomo Braganza
At “Nomo Braganza” in
Madrid, we six students from
Hitotsubashi University wereinvited to dinner by Japanese
embassy staff. We really enjoyed
the Japanese cuisine for the firsttime in this one month. Also, weshared our experiences in Spain,
and learned what the Japanese
embassy does. Their wide
knowledge was interesting for allof us. In particular, the embassy
staff ’s recent work related tothe current economic situationsin Spain and the EU were thetopics that inspired us so much.

VISITS & INTERACTIONS19WEEKDAYA DAY

Fathya06:30-07:50

07:50-08:55

08:55-10:30

10:30-10:45

10:45-14:00

14:00-15:00

15:00-17:00

17:00-Bedtime

20

IN MADRID

I start my day with my morning routine, then I fix myself a simple breakfast to keep
me going at work till lunchtime. My breakfast is usually something quick like cereal
with milk, some fruit, or croissants with eggs. After I shower, I make sure I’ve got
everything I need for work, especially my nametag, which we use like an ID card
to get into the office, and my metro card for getting around the city. (I once forgot
them and had to scramble to find a solution.)

On weekends, I usually wake up at around 11 am to get ready to go to the coinlaundry because on weekdays, the office is a bit far away, so there isn’t much timeafter work. The laundry process, including drying, normally takes around 1.5 hours.
During the waiting time, I like to go out, look around the shops, do some window
shopping, and explore the streets of Gran Vía.

Our office is roughly 45 minutes away from our apartment by metro. Sometimes,
the metro gets crowded, and we find ourselves squeezing into packed carriages.
We switch lines once during the journey. Upon hearing the announcement for La
Moraleja, we step off the metro and enjoy the fresh air outside. Following that, we
take a 5-minute walk to reach the office.

Spain has a unique lunchtime that starts at around 2 pm. It took me a few weeks to
get used to having lunch at this hour. A few times a week, I went to have Chinese
food at a nearby restaurant. I enjoy Spanish foods a lot, but sometimes I do crave
rice.

During my internship at Bergé Moved by Logistics, my main task was to develop
strategies for securing clients from the Japanese market. Typically, the firsthour and a half of my office day was dedicated to peer reviews of my research.
Additionally, twice a week, we had meetings in the morning with mentors to gain
insights and advice on research methods or final presentation tips.

After lunch, I went to a café with my friends. Cafés in Madrid are very modern andfashionable. The café we visited is called HanSo Café; it is about a 10-minute walkfrom our hotel. They had very tasty breads, desserts, and beverages.

After completing some tasks in the morning, we usually enjoyed our morning
coffee along with some fruit provided by the office in the pantry. The pantry
offered a variety of coffee options, and my go-to choice was always caramel latte.
Occasionally, we would run into other employees during this time and engage insmall talk, often learning about Spanish culture from them.

My friends and I went out to sightsee nearby attractions. Puerta del Sol is one of
my favorite places. The Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree and Kilometer 0
are must-see landmarks in Madrid.

Spanish lunch starts at a rather unique hour for me, around 2 pm. Until then, we
would just continue with our work.

The time we have together in Spain is limited, so all moments with friends are
precious. We often go out to have dinner together. The meal at the restaurant
today featured an interesting dish, fully vegetarian. We had a lot of fun having
conversations. After dinner, we decided to plan a birthday surprise for one of our
Korean colleagues, Jae eon. I am glad that we could spend our time together.

WEEKEND

Sawat

11:00-14:00

14:00-16:00

16:00-18:00

18:00-20:00

20:00 〜

During lunchtime, some of us would buy food outside, while others would headto the canteen equipped with lunch tables and microwaves. Personally, I usuallybring my own lunch, which typically consists of pasta and vegetables, that I heatup using the microwave. In Spain, lunchtime isn’t just for eating: it’s a time forsocializing. We chat and share our morning activities, and sometimes engage inconversations with mentors of other ITP members.
We utilize the remainder of the day in the office to accomplish our tasks and daily
objectives. Towards the end of the day, we share our accomplishments with othersand discuss our plans for the following day. Twice a week, we also had our Spanish
lesson for an hour.

After leaving the office, we would share personal stories during the commute
home. Upon returning to the apartment, each of us engages in our own activities.
Some will cook dinner, do laundry, or dine out.

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

A DAY IN MADRID

21

At the end of first week, we decided to divide ourroles. Analysis of trade data was my work, andsurveying of Japanese logistics was Fathya’s work.
While we were working, we often struggled withdifferent languages, which were Spanish, English,
and Japanese and checked the connection
between my work and her work to achieve our
project goals. In the end, we successfully gave apresentation in front of Bergé staff.
In the Bergé Moved by Logistics office, we wereon the 3rd floor and our desks were right next
to Bergé staff, so we could feel that we werealso truly members of Bergé Moved by Logistics
staff. For me, it was the first time to experiencea work environment in another country. There
are two points that I especially tried my best toaccomplish: greetings and punctuality. I thoughtthese are the most effective ways to show myhonest attitude and motivation, so I kept doing
them for the entire program.

F o r t h e i n te rn sh i p , s i n c e we we re to t a l l y
beginners to Berge’s business, we had to startfrom understanding what logistics is. Based on
the explanation and dataset our mentors gave
us, we searched further and asked questions
whenever we could not figure something out. Also,
I was not good at dealing with data, so I had to
get used to using Excel, such as “shortcut” and“pivotable”. As a result, it took me almost one week
to comprehend logistics and to make it clear whatkind of data analysis would be suitable for my task.
This effort was tough, but because of this hard
work in the beginning, I could easily concentrateon analyzing Japanese trends based on sea cargocontainer trade data. It was not easy to prepare
lots of charts and graphs based on this data, but
I made it and succeeded to find out some goodpotential areas for their business. In addition, I
understood that our project theme was close towhat Commercial department wanted to know
more about at that time. So, I always questioned
myself to check if my research and suggestions
were good enough to make a positive contribution.
I think this is one of the reasons why my mentor

and some Bergé staff complimented my work after
showing it at the final presentation.
Almost all communication was in English except
for conversations between Japanese. During thelatter part of last year, I studied English hard forthis program and for my career, so I thought I
could communicate well in English. However,there were so many situations that I couldn’t
catch the meaning or couldn’t come up with good
expressions for what I wanted to say. Since mostof this year’s participants have lots of international
experiences, it could be natural that they are far
better at communicating in their second or third
language. So, I was determined to take this great
opportunity to improve and practice my English
communication skill. Though I’m not a talkative
person, I tried to have lots of chances to chat withmentors, Korean colleagues, and local people. As
a result, gradually, I became able to communicate
as I wanted to, have small talks, and know more
about the people I was interacting with. This great
experience would not have happened to me if I
stayed in Japan.

Achievements

Work Experience

During this internship, I worked in the Commercial
department of Bergé Moved by Logistics. Basically,
every student works under a different mentor andeach intern has their own project, but this time
Fathya and I shared the same mentors and worked
together on the same project. Working as a team
was a good experience for me because I learned
how to better communicate. Antonio Fernández
Troyano and Blanca Martínez Pérez were ourmentors. They were not only so kind but also
hard-working. At the first meeting, they explained
their businesses and gave us our project, which
was to find potential markets for Bergé Moved by
Logistics in Japan. And we were given a huge data
file of sea trade that was collected from all ports in
Spain and related to Japan. So, first of all, we had
to understand more and think about how to tackle
this task by ourselves. Our mentors set meetings
for twice a week to monitor our progress, and theyalso welcomed our questions anytime. They gave
us lots of suggestions, despite their busy schedule.

STUDENTREFLECTIONS
Takafumi Terahara
22

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

23

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

Before that, the reason I wanted to go abroad was
mainly sightseeing, but now I want to visit foreigncountries because I want to know and experiencethe local culture, natural atmosphere, and lifestyle.
Also, at the office, all the Bergé staff were working
hard and so energetically, and nobody looked
sleepy or bored. Even in the subway, Spanish
people didn’t sleep, and the energy level was quite
high. They always have big smiles and greet eachother (these characteristics are my most favorite
ones about Spaniards). This was a surprising point
for me, and I tried to find out the reason for this,but now I think it is just because Spanish people
are better at resting than Japanese people. Whenthey want to take a rest, they take it to keep theirenergy, and of course it doesn’t mean they are lazy
or not tough. To be honest, I think I’m a kind of
person who is not good at knowing how to rest, so
it was good for me to learn this just before starting
my career.

These memorable experiences in Spain havebroadened my mind and my cultural horizons.
As I wrote in former sections, this program, andpeople who I met gave me lots of inspiration about
how important language is and how precious ourcommunications are, which also made me realizethat I really like living my life with strong humanbonds and real connections. This discovery has
contributed to developing my insights not only
into lifestyle and work , but also into current
social issues and self-understanding. I think thisexperience will be my huge asset, especiallyregarding international interactions and building
a good relationship among people as I move
forward in my life. Through better communication,
I had two realizations: one is that all humans arebasically the same, not so different even though
our background, culture, or environment differ bycountry and area. I will remember this strongly,
and I’m eager to demonstrate my strengths
internationally. Another realization is that I
noticed that in Japanese we often keep certain

information ambiguous in terms of language use
when chatting. So, I want to be more careful inchoosing words and phrases in my daily life. I
believe that these understandings will give me lotsof opportunities to rethink my perspectives andvalues on a regular basis.
I’m going to start my career just two weeks after
this program ends, and this was one of my reasons
to apply for this program: while I’m a university
student, I wanted to go abroad not just to travel,
but more importantly in order to prepare myself
for the international business world. In my honest
feeling, now I think I have become more confidentof living and working abroad in my future. This isbecause these five weeks made me more matureand socialized. I mean, my perception of the world
has changed from a typical Japanese perception. I
can feel I’m ready to go into a world as a working
adult, and at the same time I’m so excited about
my future.

Thoughts for Tomorrow

Cultural Experience24

Let me share an episode about trying to buy mylunch. There was a vegetarian cafeteria near ouroffice, and I went there to buy my lunch. The firsttime I went there, I couldn’t even understandhow to order because everything was in Spanish.
A nice guy behind me helped and explained tothe counter staff and I could get my lunch. So,
I just wanted to try by myself, and I visited thesame restaurant again. At the second time, I tried
to order with some basic Spanish phrases andgestures. The staff didn’t understand everything
I wanted to express, but I could buy my lunch bymyself, and the counter staff remembered me andseemed happy to hear my Spanish. I too became
happy, and this place became my favorite place
to have lunch. At the third visit, I succeeded infully ordering in Spanish and the staff smiled tome again. I just used some easy phrases, but I
could feel a sense of getting better. I learned that
if I learn and use the local language, I can see
and feel the real life far better. This realization
totally changed my thoughts regarding traveling.

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

25

that delved deeper into legal matters. This task
involved viewing contracts between Spanish andJapanese companies, allowing me to explore thedifferences in legal frameworks between Spainand Japan. Moreover, aside from these tasks, I had
the opportunity to participate in internal meetings
with external and internal advisors, providing mewith firsthand experience in conducting businessdiscussions in English. Despite Mr. López’s busy
schedule, my mentor was incredibly supportive,
readily addressing any questions or concerns I had
and surpassed my expectations. As a result, I wasable to fully immerse myself in the tasks assigned
to me and gained invaluable work experienceduring my internship at Astara.

To be very honest, understanding what others
were saying was the most challenging aspect of
my internship. During this internship at Astara,
a complete understanding of what others were
saying wasn’t something I could achieve merely
by being slightly better at English than others.
As mentioned earlier, my first task was related
to taxation. I only know basic Japanese law. And
tax law, which was necessary for this task, was acompletely unknown field to me. Consequently,
when talking to my mentor or participating inmeetings, I struggled to absorb the content of
the conversation. This was because I lacked thefoundational knowledge and vocabulary related totaxation as well as the essential common concepts

used in this industry. While I could understandthe content of what was being said, if there were
only one or two unfamiliar terms or concepts,
I found myself lost when there were many. I
faced difficulties with this situation, especiallyat the beginning of the internship. However, byresearching and asking questions to my mentor, I
gradually incorporated the necessary foundational
knowledge, vocabular y, and concepts, andultimately successfully completed the tasks related
to taxation. I realized that instead of giving up
when the situation seemed difficult, it’s important
to approach challenges with a mindset of seeing
how much I can learn during my time in Madrid.

Achievements

Work Experience

During my internship at Astara, I was assigned
to the Le gal depar tment , where I had theopportunity to work closely with a tax lawyer,
Mr. Alfonso López, who served as my mentor.
Under his guidance, I gained insights into various
aspects of taxation, with a particular focus oninternational and domestic taxation matters. My
first task involved researching the tax implicationsof repatriating profits earned by subsidiaries
established by a Spanish company in Japan andSouth Korea. I was tasked with examining thetypes and rates of taxes incurred and analyzing
which country, Japan or South Korea, would
offer more favorable tax conditions from theperspective of a Spanish company. Additionally, inline with my interests, I was given a second task

STUDENTREFLECTIONS
Shizuka Kobayakawa
26

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

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27

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

One of the highlights of my experience in Spain
was the opportunity to interact with Spanish andKorean people. As I had never studied abroad
before and was experiencing my first long-term
stay overseas, communicating in English withpeople from different countries for an extended
period was a completely new experience for me.
The Spanish people were always kind and warmhearted, and I experienced a positive kind ofculture shock. When asked what I liked most about
Spain, I would say it was the warmth of the people
and the ever-present smiles. Also, interacting with
Korean students was an invaluable experience.
We grew closer over the five weeks, and by the
final week, we were gathering in one room every
night, chatting and laughing together. Having
conversations about our pasts, presents, andfutures with people who had been brought up
in different places provided me with invaluable
perspectives and bestowed upon me new values.
The Korean students were all wonderful people,
and the memories of traveling with them aretreasures I will cherish forever.

What I wanted to gain from this internship was asense of what it’s like to work for a non-Japanese
overseas company. As I write this report, I am afourth-year student belonging to the law faculty,
and I will be entering Hitotsubashi University Law
School in April. My future goal is to become alawyer and work in a Japanese corporate law firm,
engaging in international transactions. Therefore,
I applied to this internship to know what it’s likein the atmosphere of overseas companies thatare partners with Japanese firms. However, byparticipating in this internship, I’ve started toconsider that it might be more enjoyable not
only to work in Japan but also to engage in legal
support activities abroad, crossing borders. This

realization began when I came to Spain andinterned at Astara, where I had the opportunity toexperience the working culture of Spanish people.
My internship experience in Spain was truly
special. I am deeply grateful to my mentors whoalways looked out for me and took care of me.
Through this experience, I’ve come to understandthat it’s not enough to just study Japanese law to
become a lawyer in Japan, I need to also study
foreign laws, and improve my English proficiency,
and other language skills. By taking action, people
can expand their perspectives and open up
possibilities for their future. I am very grateful for
ITP for allowing me to realize these points at thisearly stage in my life.

Thoughts for Tomorrow

Cultural Experience
28

Spain was an incredibly enjoyable place! During
our first week in Spain, we had fun activities
exploring Madrid, Cuzcurrita, and Toledo. In
Cuzcurrita, I had the unique experience of staying
overnight in a castle for the first time in my life,and I was able to enjoy serene and enriching
moments like strolling through vineyards at dawn
and witnessing breathtaking sunrises. Attending
my first-ever soccer match, a Real Madrid game,allowed me to truly feel the passion that peoplein Spain have for the sport. Beyond the events
offered during our first week in Spain, I also had
the opportunity to explore many places privately.
I visited Segovia, Barcelona, Córdoba, Seville,
Granada, Málaga, and Ronda. When I first visited
the Andalusian region, I was awestruck by its
beautiful architecture and the exotic music thatfilled the streets. Seeing horses pulling carriages
down the streets made me feel like I had truly
stepped out of Japan and into a different world.

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

29

a dataset consisting of information regarding
Spanish port activity. In the beginning, both of us
interns worked on the data, analysed it, looked
for other data sources, formed summarizing andvisualizing information, and continued with making
suggestions to enter the Japanese market.

The variety of new experiences I encounteredduring the five-week internship have led tosignificant self-improvement. One notable aspect
is my enhanced ability to collaborate effectively
in a corporate environment and tackle problems
even when solutions aren’t readily available.

Aside from deskwork , I also interacted withcolleagues in the Bergé office. In Spain, I learned
about the Spanish meal schedule, including amorning break at 10 AM. Almost every morning,
my Japanese, Korean, and Spanish colleagues,
along with our mentors, gathered in the pantry
for coffee and fruit, providing opportunities forconversation. These interactions not only enriched
my cultural understanding but also createdvaluable connections within the Bergé community.

In a professional setting, I was tasked withsetting goals for myself, which involved analysing
the requirements of the task and finding themost effective solution. Initially, Taka and I were
unfamiliar with the field, requiring time to grasp
the overall picture. After thorough analysis anddiscussion, we identified three key areas to focus
on: the types of goods traded between Spain andJapan, the ports involved, and the best practices
of Japanese por t management companies.
As a result, we divided our responsibilities toanalyse Spanish port activity and study Japaneseport management companies’ practices. This
experience exposed me to a new field, challenging
me to find effective solutions. In essence, I
developed matrices outlining key variables of port
companies, enabling me to identify best practices
and offer recommendations to Bergé y Compañía.
Moreover, I improved my ability to cooperate withpeople from different backgrounds. During theInternational Talent Program, participants fromJapan, Korea, and Thailand were always together.
I’m truly grateful for the chance to meet suchamazing people. However, we realized we needed
to match our desires and needs to avoid conflicts,
whether it was deciding where to travel, dine,or approach tasks at work. In the end, I formed
strong bonds with all of them, and I’m grateful for
the wonderful friendships and cherished memories
we created together.

Achievements

Work Experience

The International Talent Program included aninternship in a professional workplace, learning
Spanish language, and experiencing Spanish
culture. I interned at Bergé y Compañía, acompany that played a role in bringing Toyota to
Spain. Aside from being a trading company, Bergéalso handles shipping, port services, and logistics.
During my time at the main company, I worked in
the Client department that focuses on both finding
potential customers and managing existing ones.
There, I was partnered up with Takafumi and we
had two mentors, Mr. Antonio Fernández Troyano
and Ms. Blanca Martínez Pérez. They both shared
mentoring responsibilities and had alreadyprepared an interesting task for us, which was tofind a way for Bergé to get into the Japanese port
management and shipping market. To help us
comprehend the broader context, we were given

STUDENTREFLECTIONS
Khadijah Fathya
Khairunnisa
30

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

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31

Firstly, I was impressed by how friendly the
Spanish people were. They always greeted eachother with smiles. Even when I encounteredpeople from other companies in the building
where Berge’s office was located, they would still
warmly greet me with “Buenas” or “¿Qué tal?” anda cheerful smile, brightening my day. One day, I
experienced Spanish people’s first-hand kindness
when I encountered an issue with an automatic
payment machine at a laundry. As I struggled to

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

make my card work, a kind lady approached meand offered instructions in Spanish. Although I only
understood the word “tarjeta” (card) in English,
her detailed instructions conveyed her humanity,
leaving a lasting impression on me.
Secondly, I loved the sunny weather in Spain andexploring places like Granada. I especially enjoyedvisiting historical sites like the Alhambra, with its
beautiful gardens filled with flowers.
Lastly, I learned a lot about Korean culture frommy colleagues. They taught me how to say the
Korean alphabet, write my name in Korean, andeven cook delicious Korean dishes like Tteokbokki (simmered rice cake) and Ramyun (Korean
noodle soup). These experiences taught me about
different cultures and gave me great memories.

My goal in joining this program was to gain
experience in a professional work environment
abroad, preparing me to contribute effectively
to global businesses in the future. Throughout
this program, I’ve come to realize that valuable
contributions can be made anywhere in theworld. Consequently, it’s important to understandand respect cultural differences before forming
opinions. Through this program, I have improved
my skills in communicating across cultures,
adapting to new situations, and maintaining
integrity as a global citizen. This was achieved
through interactions with people I met through theprogram and the effort to make contributions as
an intern in a company.

As I enter my fourth year at university in April
2024, I am also planning to pursue a master ’s
degree in business. With this knowledge, I aspire
to one day manage my own company, dedicatedto support the communities from all around theworld that have supported me thus far.
Looking ahead, I hope to always give my best,
regardless of the challenges I encounter. I
understand that challenges present opportunities
for growth, as demonstrated by how I managed
to find solutions to the problems I faced in thisprogram. Additionally, I hope to always rememberthat I can seek help from those around me, and I
have a responsibility to offer assistance to others
in return.

Thoughts for Tomorrow

Cultural Experience
32

Apart from my office work, I had a great chance to
see different cultures and visit amazing places. My
experiences can be split into three parts: meetingpeople in Spain, exploring Spanish historicalplaces, and doing activities with my colleagues
with diverse backgrounds, including colleagues
from Chun-Ahn University.

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33

subscription, based on data such as car ownershiprates and internet usage rates among the older
population in Spain. I then presented a persuasive
presentation to my mentor. My mentor specializes
in marketing and provided deep insights basedon extensive experience, teaching practicalapplications of theory and data usage. Besides
advice on job tasks, he also advised me on future
career choices. I will never forget that advice and
I am so appreciate for everything I was taught.
Throughout the internship, I regularly discussed
progress and received advice and necessary
information from my mentor.
During this internship, I made a conscious effort to
not just complete tasks but also provide additional
value by always looking for opportunities to go
above and beyond. This approach allowed me
to view tasks from a creative perspective, delve
deeper into my interests, and learn marketing at apractical level.

One of the challenges I overcame was the need tofind my own tasks and make creative proposals.
After being given a task on competitive analysis,
my mentor suddenly granted me the freedom towork on what I wanted. This newfound freedom
initially felt overwhelming and led to a senseof being directionless, as I feared ending theinternship without achieving anything significant.
While it would have been easy to just follow giventasks, I desired to accomplish something morecreative and struggled with how to incorporate myJapanese background and knowledge-base into
practical projects. Unable to come up with ideas, I
went back to basics, reviewing my university classnotes for applicable theories and frameworks.

It was during this process that I found potential
in exploring the senior citizen market through a
SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities,
Threats) analysis, which boosted my enthusiasm
significantly. Given my background in data analysis
from university and knowledge of Japan’s aging
population, I focused and enjoyed progressing
the project actively. Combining my mentor ’s
expertise and support with my own knowledge
and unique perspective, I created a presentationthat I was highly satisfied with. Experiencing thechallenges of starting from scratch, finding tasks
independently, and seeing how my past learningtranslated into practical work was immensely
gratifying and a valuable learning experience.

Achievements

Work Experience

I was assigned to the Astara Move department
where I handled the car subscription service,primarily focusing on consumer marketing
practices. The tasks I worked on included market
analysis of the senior demographic, competitive
analysis, and conducting a SWOT (Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis for
Astara. My initial assignment was the competitive
analysis. Through conducting a SWOT analysis to
grasp Astara’s features, I noticed that Astara was
missing out on the foreign customer market andthe senior citizen market. While some competitors
were already serving foreign customers, overall,there was limited penetration into the seniormarket. As a result, I proposed a project to analyze
the market for the more mature consumer to my
mentor, Mr. José Herráez, and it was approved.
So, during my internship, I mainly concentrated
on conducting market analysis for the seniordemographic. I created a customer journey
map for senior individuals using Astara’s car

STUDENTREFLECTIONS
Aki Ito34

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

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35

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

effort to learn and speak other languages actively.
Additionally, one Japanese student mentioned, “Asforeigners in Spain, it might be understandable
if we don’t know much about Spanish culture
and etiquette. But if someone can seamlessly
understand and adopt another country’s manners
and culture, they stand out.” This resonated withme, highlighting the importance of genuine
cultural respect, and motivating me to becomesuch a person. I want to continue learning about
and respecting different cultures diligently,
remembering that lacking knowledge and respect
can inadvertently lead to disrespectful behavior.
Through this training, I have learned to engage
in dialogues with others while respecting theirculture and background, without losing sight of
my own opinions. I am grateful to my Koreancolleagues, Hitotsubashi members, and people in
Spain for providing me with a valuable opportunity
to truly understand and respect diverse cultures.

Mr. José Herráez, my mentor, is a passionate
and responsible leader at Astara who values
both work and personal life. Observing him andother Spaniards enjoying their personal lives asmuch as their work deeply inspired me. It mademe reconsider my desire to achieve a balance
between career success and personal fulfillment
in the future. During our conversations, José
advised me to prioritize personal growth overfinancial gains in the initial three years of mycareer, emphasizing that success will follow if
I focus on self-improvement. This advice has
become a guiding principle in my job search andcareer planning, especially as I contemplate myfuture path. The cultural exchange during thisinternship exposed me to people from diverse
backgrounds including Spain, Korea, Indonesia,

and Thailand which created a stimulating
environment that I thoroughly enjoyed. I realizedthat I thrive on learning from diverse conversations
and gaining vitality from these interactions. Like
the people I met during my internship in Spain, I
aspire to pursue a career where I can passionately
contribute while also prioritizing my family andpersonal happiness.
Regardless of the path I choose in the future, I am
committed to continuous learning, actively seeking
new experiences, and conversations while striving
to create a balance between my personal life andcareer that brings me fulfillment. This internshipexperience has undoubtedly become a crucial
aspect of my life journey!

Thoughts for Tomorrow

Cultural Experience36

The five-week internship provided me with adeeper understanding of different religions suchas Islam and Christianity, by experiencing their
daily lives and perspectives firsthand in Spain.
It broadened my perspective, emphasizing theimportance of respecting and considering others’
viewpoints while also prioritizing my own opinions
when necessary. Living closely with people ofdifferent backgrounds, I realized there are many
aspects of understanding and respect thatcan only be learned through actual interaction,
making it a highly valuable experience that differs
significantly from my usual life in Japan. One
surprising observation was the apprehension to
speak other languages among Japanese students
from Hitotsubashi University and the confidence
to communicate by Korean students. Korean
students actively tried to use Japanese andSpanish in everyday conversations. Recognizingthat conversing in the other person’s language
is a form of respect for their culture, I made an

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

37

Since I had a lot of opportunities to communicate
with people in the department, I gained an insight
into their attitude towards their own work as

well as knowledge in a wide range of fields. To
be very honest, at first, when I heard of finance,
what came into my mind was that they handled
numbers while sitting at a desk. However, I soon
realized that tons of knowledge and skills areneeded behind the numbers that these expert
staff members must improve, for smoother financemanagement such as communicating with people
at the ports for urgent payment or discussing new
projects with other departments and supporting
everything from a finance perspective. Moreover, I
felt that everyone in the department, regardless of
their section, is proud of their own work and that
finance is a key role of the company management
and is an indispensable department. I was solucky to work in this way that I could be involvedin a lot of sectors and meet many people in thedepartment. For these reasons, I will be eternallygrateful for this incredible opportunity.

Throughout my internship, I was entrusted witha diverse range of tasks and responsibilities,
primarily centered around financial processes.
One notable assignment involved utilizing SAP(Systems Applications and Products) softwarefor data entr y, analysis, and reporting. This
hands-on experience definitely offered mepractical technical skills. Moreover, one of themost rewarding and distinctive aspects of myinternship was the opportunity to engage incross-functional collaboration. Working withindividuals from different sectors within the
Finance department on a weekly basis not only
broadened my understanding of the company’s
operations significantly but also allowed me to get
to know more about Spanish people and culture.
This collaborative effort enriched my learning
experience and provided me with valuable insights
into the various functions within the organization.
By actively participating in departmental activities
and projects, I was able to contribute meaningfully
to their objectives while enhancing my own skills
and knowledge.

I faced challenges adapting to the Spanish
environment due to my limited proficiency inthe language and unfamiliarity with the culture,
particularly when English communication was
limited. However, recognizing the importance ofintegrating into the Spanish-speaking workplace,
I persevered by making efforts to communicate
in Spanish, even when it was challenging, andattempted to complete tasks such as data input
in the language. While I am still a beginner
in Spanish, I demonstrated re silience anddetermination in navigating these obstacles.
Undoubtedly, my internship was an invaluable
learning experience that significantly contributed
to my professional growth and development.
Engaging with colleagues across various branchesof the department provided me with a holistic
understanding of fiscal operations and its role
within the company. The mentorship and guidance
offered by experienced professionals helped merefine my skills and adapt to the demands of a fastpaced work environment. As a result, I emerged
from this internship with enhanced competencies,
a broader perspective, and a heightened sense ofconfidence in my abilities.

Achievements

Work Experience

During my internship at Bergé Moved by Logistics
Finance department, I had the opportunity to gain
practical experience in financial management
wi th i n a d y na m i c c o rp o rate env iron ment .
Assigned alongside experienced professionals
from various branches in the department every
day, I approached my tasks with a proactive anddetail-oriented mindset, actively engaging withcolleagues from different sectors to broaden
my understanding of the company’s operations.
Throughout my internship, I was involved invarious tasks such as invoice processing, payment
management , budgeting and utilizing SAP(Systems Applications and Products) software fordata analysis and reporting.

STUDENTREFLECTIONS
Mahiro Horita
38

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

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Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

in which people express themselves and fight forwhat they believe in.
I also had the opportunity to spend a significant
amount of time with Korean colleagues, which
led to a rich cultural exchange. Engaging inconversations and activities with them allowed
me to immerse myself in Korean culture andlanguage. I found myself improving greatly in the
Korean language as a result of these interactions.
Despite the geographical proximity and somesimilarities in culture between Japan and Korea, I
discovered unique aspects of Korean culture thatfascinated me. Discussions about food, traditions,and customs revealed subtle differences within thesimilarities shared by our neighboring countries.
This cultural exchange not only deepened myunderstanding of Korean culture but also fostereda sense of appreciation for the diversity andrichness of cultural experiences.

Through my internship experience, I gained
valuable insights that have shaped my perspective
on cultural diversity and international interactions.
Despite having some prior knowledge about
Europe and Spain from encounters with people
who had visited or lived there, I realized theimportance of experiencing a country firsthand.
Seeing the sights and hearing the sounds ofSpain without preconceived notions allowed me
to gain a deeper understanding of the country
and its culture. I learned that the reality of a place
may differ from one’s expectations, but thesedifferences offer opportunities for personal growthand enriching experiences.
Moreover, my interactions with colleagues fromdiverse cultural backgrounds highlighted theuniqueness of each culture. I came to appreciatethat there is no universal standard for what is
considered “good” or “bad” in culture; rather, each

culture has its own set of values and customs
that contribute to its richness. This realization
reinforced my commitment to respecting andunderstanding other cultures, as well as fostering
mutual respect and cooperation in internationalsettings.
Looking ahead to my future goal of working tosupport developing countries in organizations
like the World Bank, I recognize the importanceof these insights. Working with individuals fromvarious countries and backgrounds will require an
open-minded approach and a deep appreciation
for cultural differences. By remembering thelessons learned during my internship, I aim toapproach my future endeavors with empathy,
respect, and a willingness to learn from others.
These insights will undoubtedly serve as valuableassets as I strive to make a positive impact on a
global scale.

Thoughts for Tomorrow

Cultural Experience40

During my time in Spain, I was exposed tonumerous cultural experiences that were often
new and occasionally even shocking. However,one particular experience left a lasting impression
on me. Throughout my five weeks in Spain, I
encountered several demonstrations and strikes,
occurrences that are rarely witnessed in Japan.
While I had heard that such events were morecommon in Europe, experiencing them firsthandwas truly eye-opening. I observed individuals
displaying a level of passion and determinationthat I had never before encountered. Witnessing
people fervently advocating for their beliefs andsteadfastly insisting on the demands of their core
convictions was a profound experience for me.
It provided me with a deeper understanding of
the importance of activism and advocacy withindifferent cultures, and it broadened my perspective
on societal dynamics. Overall, this encounter
served as a powerful reminder of the diverse ways

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41

Over the following weeks, I precisely studied
multiple competitors’ websites, categorizing key
features and services to identify areas where
Astara Move could enhance its offerings. Despite
Mr. Il Grande’s busy schedule, he remained
supportive throughout the process, holding regularmeetings to review my progress and address
any questions I encountered during my research.
Additionally, Mr. Il Grande facilitated meetings withprofessionals from various departments, such aslegal and customer satisfaction analysis, which
provided me with valuable insights into different
aspects of the industr y. These interactions
broadened my understanding and allowed me
to gain a more comprehensive view of Astara
Move’s operations. As a result of this collaborative
effort and mentorship, I successfully completed
my project, not only deepening my knowledgeof Astara Move’s services but also honing myanalytical and presentation skills. My time at
Astara was incredibly precious, providing me withpractical experience and valuable lessons that willundoubtedly benefit me in my future endeavors.

This internship provided me the opportunity
to live in a European country for more than amonth, a new experience for me, and initially, I
felt nervous and anxious. However, I can proudly
reflect on three significant achievements during
this experience. Firstly, overcoming the language
barrier was a major accomplishment, especiallywhen I was surrounded by Spanish, a language I
could only speak a few words of. Communicatingwith Spanish speakers who could not speak
English was challenging, but I never surrendered
and bravely attempted to use the Spanish phrases
I had studied to improve my communicative
ability. One memorable moment was successfully
reserving a restaurant over the phone. Despite
my initial panic, I remained calm and used simple
phrases to tell the date, time, and my phone
number effectively.
Another achievement I am proud of is forming
close friendships with my Japanese and Koreancolleagues during the internship. While I typicallyfind it easy to communicate with people of similarages, I had concerns about connecting withindividuals from diverse backgrounds whom I
would be interacting with for extended period offive weeks. However, as time passed, I proved tomyself that I could bridge these differences, and I
am now confident in saying that we have become
best friends. I look forward to meeting them againsoon!
Lastly, I take pride in successfully completing thefinal project assigned by my mentor. In addition
to including essential information, I made sure
to infuse creativity and unique elements into
the work, such as researching example cases
from countries beyond Europe. I believe that thisapproach, along with my dedication, is what led
my mentor to praise my work when I presented it
to him.

Achievements

Work Experience

During my internship at Astara in the Astara
Move division, I worked under the guidance of Mr.
Manuel Il Grande. Unlike typical mentorship setups
where mentors assign specific tasks, Mr. Il Grande
gave me freedom to choose my research topic
independently. During the first week, he advised
me to familiarize myself with Astara’s services by
exploring the website. This introduction to Astara
Move’s primary product, which focuses on car
subscription services, sparked my curiosity anddrove me to dig down deeper into the subject.
After gaining basic understanding of AstaraMove, Mr. Il Grande provided me with a list ofcompetitors and entrusted me with analyzing how
they market and promote their services. This led
me to conduct a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities, Threats) analysis, comparing Astara
Move’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, andthreats with those of its competitors. This analysis
not only highlighted areas for improvement within
Astara Move but also identified potential new
targets for expansion.

STUDENTREFLECTIONS
Sawat
Kingwattanagul
42

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

43

I am so impre s sed by the positive energy
emanating from Spanish people during my timein Spain. The energetic and lively atmosphere,charged by their enthusiasm, warmth, and passion
for life, was truly incredible. Whether interactingwith shop assistants, enjoying lively conversations
with Bergé staff, or witnessing their spirited
revelry during festivals. This positive energy
was transferable and played a significant role inshaping my overall experience making it possible

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

for me to maintain a smile throughout the five
weeks.
M o r e o v e r, a n o t h e r a s p e c t t h a t m u s t b ementioned when discussing culture is food!
Spain’s cuisine was incredible. What stood out
most was the diverse range of flavors and dishes
found in each city. From the seafood delights ofBarcelona to the stews like callos a la madrileña
in Madrid, traditional paella of València and themouthwatering tapas in the Andalusia region,
every part of the country offered a culinary
experience showing its unique identity. Exploring
foods from each place became an essential part of
my cultural immersion in Spain. The richness anddiversity of Spanish cuisine truly added a flavorful
dimension to my overall experience.

My experience from the Bergé International Talent
Programme 2024 has nurtured me in several
ways. Not only have I gained valuable insights into
how Spanish professionals operate, but I have also
observed how Spanish people value both theirpersonal and professional lives. One aspect thatparticularly fascinated me was how they enjoy
relaxing at night and can still effectively work thefollowing day. In contrast to the more work-centricculture in Japanese culture, where dedication towork is considered most important, the Spanish
variation has reminded me of the importance of
not only working hard but also inspired me to aim
for savoring and seizing every moment of life.

This internship has not only exposed me topo s sible career paths and the realitie s o f
professional work but has also given me thechance to work and engage within an international
community. This experience significantly improved
my language skills, cultivated cultural exchanges,
and educated me about the importance of beinga global citizen. I am confident that I can utilize
these experiences in my future academic pursuits
and professional endeavors. Even though thespecific path I’ll take remains uncertain, I see thisfive-week program as a gateway to numerous
opportunities ahead.

Thoughts for Tomorrow

Cultural Experience44

I must admit that before I joined this program,my knowledge about Spain was limited to only
bullfighting and famous football players. However,this five-week program has provided me with
precious and valuable experiences, allowing me toclosely engage with Spanish culture beyond whata usual tourist would experience.

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45

Messages from Mentors

Astara Move
- Aki’s Mentor -Bergé
Moved by Logistics

José Herraez
Aki has been an absolute gem to work with throughout this internship. She ishighly curious about our new and innovative projects, very organized, and works
efficiently. Her ability to identify real problems and tackle them through businesssolutions is astonishing as she focused on the new proposed target for the next
phase of car subscriptions. I am sure that she will be a great asset to any teamand will make impressive contributions in the future. I am really looking forward tofollowing her progress.

- Mahiro’s Mentor -Rafael Maria Ortiz de Zuriarrain Montero
Participating in the Bergé International Talent Program is a great opportunity
to learn about another culture and meet very interesting people. In my case,knowing and working with Mahiro has been very enriching, since she is a very
interesting and curious person, with a great ability to work meticulously and to
manage and lead several matters simultaneously. She has led work within the
Finance department of various kinds, such as Treasury, Planning, Reporting, andInternational Taxation. Mahiro contributed in a remarkable way and she was always
eager to help proactively. I am sure we will hear great news about her soon.

Alfonso López

Fathya and Takafumi have done very good analytical work, using various tools
and methods to collect, process, and interpret data related to the Spanish andJapanese trading market and competitor landscape. They have also shown
great presentation skills, creating clear and attractive reports and slides that
communicate the main findings and recommendations. Moreover, they havebeen able to draw insightful conclusions and propose effective solutions to thechallenges and opportunities that the department faces. They have been a valuableasset for the Commercial department, contributing to its goals and objectives.
They have also been a proactive and collaborative team member, always willing tolearn and share their knowledge. I am very impressed by their performance andpotential, and I hope they will continue to develop their career in this field.

I have been working for Bergé since 2010. First, at the level of the holding company(Bergé y Compañía, S.A.) as Global Head of Tax until May 2022. Subsequently, I
moved to the automotive division (Astara Mobility) as Global Head of Tax. Astara
is a subsidiary of Bergé y Compañía. During this time, I was able to see many
students coming from the International Talent Program (ITP) who were assigned
to my colleagues in the Legal department. Therefore, I could be in contact with somany students over the years, but never a mentor to them. This time, I was chosen
as tutor of one of the students (Shizuka Kobayakawa from Hitotsubashi University).
Being in close contact with her for the entire program and having this new roleor responsibility, has helped me expand my knowledge of Japanese culture andcustoms and, of course, an approach to a new academic system. For me, it has
been a wonderful and challenging experience which helped me disconnect frommy normal day to day.
With regards to Shizuka, I must say that for her, it was also challenging due to herlack of tax knowledge (no previous studies at her university in Tokyo). However,
due to her determination, discipline, and capabilities, she was able to understandand present an international tax case to me, even comparing taxation of several
jurisdictions. In addition, she has been able to see another side to the law andunderstand how legal and tax matters will always be hand in hand. Finally, I think
this experience has opened her mind to other aspects of the law and made her
think beyond the pure legal aspects of the matters such as how real life in businessis. She is quite a mature student, and this ITP has developed even more maturity inher.

- Fathya and Takafumi’s Mentor -- Sawat’s Mentor -The two of them have worked perfectly as a team, with mutual respect andeducation, leaving room for each other to develop their corresponding part of thejoint project. They have attended the follow-up meetings scheduled on time andhave actively participated in them, trying to clarify all the doubts that arose, andaccepting our suggestions and guidance on the work carried out. In this way they
have managed to develop the project, achieving a joint result of greater value
than the parts separately. Both Fathya and Takafumi have shown seriousness
and involvement in the task entrusted to them, with curiosity and a positive
attitude towards all the knowledge of the sector that they have been discovering,understanding, and developing, giving rise to a project that they have been able topresent impeccably to their colleagues.

It is with much enthusiasm that I’m writing these words describing Sawat ’sinternship at Astara. He joined Astara as part of the International Talent Program,and it was a great experience to have Sawat in the team. Sawat demonstrated agreat will to learn and help from the very first day. As part of the program, he had
the opportunity to meet some managers of different areas of Astara Move, theflexible mobility business line of Astara Group, learning how we work in thosedepartments. Finally, he prepared a presentation analyzing how Astara Move andother subscription operators offer Mobility Solutions to big companies as part oftheir Employee Benefits programs. It was great to see how he demonstrated hisanalytical and social skills during the internship and I’m sure he will apply thesesoon in his professional future.

- Fathya and Takafumi’s Mentor -Antonio Fernández Troyano

Blanca Martínez Pérez

46- Shizuka’s Mentor -Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

Manuel Il Grande

MESSAGES FROM MENTORS

47

Madrid

Museo del Prado
A s I s t e p p e d i n t o Ma d r i d ’s Mu s e odel Prado, I felt a surge of excitement
coursing through me. This wasn’t justany gallery: it was a treasure trove of
Spanish artistry spanning centuries. The
walls bore witness to the brushstrokesof legends like El Greco, Velázquez, andGoya, each masterpiece whispering talesof Spain’s rich cultural heritage. Despite
the long queues, I couldn’t resist thetemptation to immerse myself in thisartistic haven.

Córdoba

Museo Nacional Centro deArte Reina Sofía

Museo Nacional ThyssenBornemisza

Museum of Fine Arts of
Córdoba

Centro De Arte
Contemporaneo Rafael Boti

Nestled in the hear t of Madrid, theMuseo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina
Sofía beckoned with promises of artistic
enlightenment . Walking through it shalls, I was captivated by the haunting
presence of Picasso’s “Guernica,” apowerful testament to the horrors of war.
Yet, the museum offered more than justone iconic piece: it was a celebrationof Spanish artistry in all its forms. From
Dalí ’s surre al lan ds c ap e s to Mi ró ’s
whimsical creations, each exhibit left anindelible mark on my soul. And to think,
I could enjoy all this beauty for free withjust my student ID—truly a gift!

Housed within the majestic Villahermosa
Palace, the Museo Nacional ThyssenBornemisza promised a journey throughthe annals of art history. With each step, I
traversed the Italian Renaissance, marveledat Impressionist landscapes, and pondered
the avant-garde experiments of the 20th
century. The museum’s diverse collection
offered a glimpse into the evolution ofartistic expression, leaving me in awe of
human creativity.

Stepping into the Museum of Fine Arts of
Córdoba felt like stepping back in time.
Housed within the former Hospital de la
Caridad, the museum offered a glimpse
into Córdoba’s artistic heritage. Fromthe elegant brushstrokes of the Italian
Renaissance to the dramatic flair of the
Baroque, each painting told a story of
Córdoba’s cultural evolution. And withfree admission, courtesy of my student
ID, it was a cultural experience that I willremember for many years to come OR
has enriched me in many ways.

Tu c k e d a w a y i n C ó r d o b a ’s J e w i s hQuarter, the Rafael Botí Art Centre wasa hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
With its minimalist galleries and intimate
atmosphere, it was the perfect place
to unwind and appreciate the beautyof Córdoba’s landscapes. As I strolled
through the center, I found myself lost in
the vibrant colors and intricate details ofeach painting—a testament to the city’s
rich artistic tradition.

BarcelonaMuseo Picasso Barcelona
E xploring the Museo Picasso Barcelona
felt like delving into the mind of a creative
genius. From Picasso’s early sketches to his
groundbreaking Cubist masterpieces, eachexhibit unveiled a new facet of his artistic
journey. As I wandered through the galleries,
I couldn’t help but marvel at the evolution of
his style—from the melancholy hues of hisBlue Period to the bold experimentation of
his Cubist phase. It was a rare opportunity towitness firsthand the genius of one of history’s
greatest artists.

Joan Miró Foundation
Perched atop Montjuïc hill, the Joan Miró
Foundation offered a serene retreat from thebustling streets of Barcelona. Designed by
Miró’s close friend, architect Josep Lluís Sert,
the museum was a testament to the artist’s
avant-garde vision. While it was a bit off thebeaten path, the journey was well worth it
to immerse myself in Miró’s vibrant world ofcolor and form. From his playful sculptures
to his whimsical paintings, each piece spoke
volumes about Miró’s boundless creativity.

Palacio de Viana
Wh i l e n o t o ff i c ia l l y a mus e u m , th e
Palacio de Viana was a sight to behold.
Surrounded by twelve splendid patios
and a lush garden, it was a testament
to Córdoba’s architectural splendor. As
I wandered through the palace’s ornate
rooms, I couldn’t help but admire theexquisite craftsmanship on display. From
intricately woven tapestries to handcar ve d furni ture , each pie c e sp okevolumes about Córdoba’s rich cultural
heritage. And with its modest entry fee,it was a cultural experience that wasaccessible to all.

SevillaRonda

Plaza de Toros de la Real
Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla

Casa Museo Don Bosco

S te p p i n g i nto th e Plaz a d e To ro s d e la R e a l
Maestranza de Caballería de Se villa, I wastransported to a world of tradition and pageantry. The
art gallery, dedicated to bullfighting, was a testamentto Spain’s rich cultural heritage, showcasing a diverse
collection of posters, paintings, and costumes.
While bullfights weren’t held during my visit, the art
gallery offered a fascinating glimpse into the worldof bullfighting—a cultural tradition that continues tocaptivate audiences around the world.

Nestled within the historic streets of Ronda,
Casa Museo Don Bosco offered a glimpse into
the region’s rich cultural heritage. As I steppedthrough its doors, I was transported back in time
to a bygone era of elegance and refinement.
From the intricate tapestries to the hand-carved
furniture , each piece spoke volumes about
Ronda’s storied past. With its breathtaking viewsof the Nuevo Bridge, it was a cultural experiencethat left me in awe of this charming Andalusian
town.

Shizuka’s ArtVentures
48

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SHIZUKA’S ARTVENTURES

49

Before Your First Bite:

Spicing Up
Your Culinary Adventure- Basic Information -PAELLATAPASIn Spain, lunchtime is typically around 2 pm and dinnertime is around 9 pm, setting
a distinctive dining schedule. This timing is influenced by the Spanish customof having meals five times a day, including breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch,
afternoon snack, and dinner.
Now, let’s spice up your culinary journey by learning the origins and history of
Spain’s two most iconic dishes to enjoy your first bite more!

The origins of tapas can be traced back to centuries-old

València located on the east coast of Spain is known

Spanish culinary customs. One popular theory suggests

as the birthplace of paella. Certainly, since its birth,that tapas originated as small slices of bread or cheese

over the past four or five centuries, Paella has evolved,

used to ‘tapar’ (cover) glasses of wine, preventing flies

incorporating new ingredients and variations. Sincefrom getting into the drink. Over time, these simple

València is on the coast, seafood found its way into

snacks evolved into a diverse array of small dishes,

the mix, which is the variation you may see a lot of in

ranging from olives and cured meats to more elaborate

Japan. Yet, amidst the countless variations of paella,creations like tortilla Española (potato omelet) and

one remains true to its origins: Paella Valènciana. This

gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp). In Granada, for example,“true” paella boasts a savory medley of chicken, rabbit,

tapas are often served free with drinks as a gesture ofand snails, complemented by green and white beans.

hospitality, while in the Basque Country, pintxos – a

But paella is more than just a dish, it’s a cultural icon, avariation of tapas served on skewers – are a culinary art

symbol of hospitality and tradition that has captivatedform. This regional diversity and innovation have helped

palates around the world. Whether enjoyed in a rustic

tapas gain widespread popularity both within Spain andfarmhouse or a bustling city square, paella invites us

abroad.

to savor the flavors of Spain and celebrate the joy ofsharing a meal with loved ones.

50

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

TASTE OF ESPAÑA
https://botin.es/

https://lacasadelabuelo.es/

https://www.arroceriadstapamadrid.com/

Restaurante Botín

La casa del Abuelo

D’stapa

A historic restaurant certified as the world’s oldest
by Guinness World Records. It was visited even by
the writer Hemingway. The specialty roasted pork isincredibly tender and delicious. You should order theonion soup which has a strong garlic flavor.

A restaurant visited during the first meeting with
Korean colleagues . A famous establishment
recommended by YouTubers. Enjoy typical Spanish
dishes such as shrimp ajillo, tortilla, and croquettes
at a reasonable price.

After visiting the Sunday market, we had lunch here.
The seafood paella and chicken were exquisite! The
interior of the restaurant is filled with a sense ofluxury, and the service from the staff is excellent.

https://superchulorestaurante.com/
https://botin.es/

https://lacasadelabuelo.es/
https://hansocafe.es/

https://www.nubel.es/

Superchulo
Restaurante
Fuencarral
Botín

La casa
HanSo
delCaféAbueloNuBel

A historic
vegetarian
restaurant
restaurant
certified
where
as we
thehadworld’sa farewelloldestby Guinness
partywith Korean
Worldfriends.
Records.
Although
It was visited
there wereeven noby
the writermeat
dishes,Hemingway.
we were fully
The satisfied
specialty withroastedthe pork
flavorsisincredibly
andappearance
tender ofandalldelicious.
the dishes.
YouThe
shouldcheesecakeorder theisoniondelicious
very
soup which
and hasthe a
beststrongwe ategarlicin Spain.
flavor.

A restaurant
stylish cafevisited
locatedduringnearthethefirst
hotel
meeting
wherewith
we
KoreanBoth
stayed.
colleagues
the cakes. Aandfamouscoffeeestablishment
were delicious.
recommendedThe
latte art wasbycute,YouTubers.
and we were
Enjoyhighly
typicalsatisfied.
Spanishdishes such as shrimp ajillo, tortilla, and croquettes
at a reasonable price.

A cafe located next to the Queen Sofia Museum.
Both the cheesecake and French toast are delicious.
The cafe latte was slightly sweet.

https://abadiatoledo.com/en/abadia-english/

https://gruposantelmo.com/restaurant/tantarantana/... Madrid Area... Toledo Area... Barcelona Area

Cervecería La Abadía

Tantarantana

The restaurant we visited for lunch during ourToledo sightseeing. This restaurant is famous for
its craft beer. Every dish and drink were delicious!
In particular, the wine-steamed mussels were
exceptionally tasty.

The food here is truly delicious and reasonably
priced! The tapas menu offers a wide variety. The
hummus appetizer, risotto, and beef red wine stew
for the main dishes were excellent. There are also
terrace seats and the restaurant is popular.

ded
Recomm ens
Restaurant
i n S pa i n
TASTE OF ESPAÑA

51

TASTE OF ESPAÑAU N F O R G E T TA B L E
MEMORIESOUR DIARIESI N S PA I N

PaellaTortilla

AjilloIn Spain, paella is a famous dish! Seafood paella is very
tasty with its rich seafood flavor. Chicken paella has
a taste that many Japanese people are familiar with.
When you order for a large group, they make it in a big
paella pan and it was visually enjoyable. It’s said that theoriginal paella used to be made with rabbit meat.

Our favorite Spanish dish! It can include ham andcheese depending on the restaurant. You can evenbuy it at supermarkets. This dish is delicious bitesthat satisfy your hunger.

There are various types of ajillo such as mushroom
and shrimp. The combination of garlic and olive oil is
addictive. The ajillo I had in Spain was less salty andhad a refreshing taste.

https://botin.es/

https://lacasadelabuelo.es/

Pulpo
Restaurante
al Estilo Botín
GarcíaLa casa
Croquetadel Abuelo

Calamares

TheA
historic
octopusrestaurant
has a certified
tender texture
as the world’s
and isoldest
ver yby Guinness
delicious.
It isWorld
sprinkled
Records.
with paprika
It was visited
powder
even
which
by
the writer
may
not beHemingway.
familiar in Japan,
The specialty
but it hasroasteda mildpork
flavorisincredibly
thatmakestender
it endlessly
and delicious.
enjoyable.
You should order theonion soup which has a strong garlic flavor.

TheA
restaurant
most popular
visitedchoiceduringis thecroquettes
first meetingwith ham.
with
Korean colleagues
Dependingon the restaurant,. A famous
you canestablishment
enjoy a wide
recommended
varietyof croquettes
by YouTubers.
includingEnjoyseafoodtypicaland
Spanishblue
dishes suchcheeseones.asAlthoughshrimp ajillo,
they tortilla,
are smallandincroquettes
size, theyat asatisfying.
arereasonable price.

When we went out to eat, someone always orders
calamari! The batter fried in oil is soft and addictive.
Calamari sandwiches are a B-grade gourmet dish in
Madrid.

https://lacasadelabuelo.es/

Must-T r yDishes52

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

LaJamón
casa delSerranoAbueloSpain
Arestaurant
is known
visitedfor during
its delicious
the firstham!
meeting
The withrich
Koreanthat
flavorcolleagues
you can’t. experience
A famous establishment
in Japan pairs
recommended
perfectlywith wine.
by YouTubers.
You can purchase
Enjoy typical
it notSpanish
only atdishes such but
restaurants
as shrimp
also at ajillo,
supermarkets
tortilla, andandcroquettes
specialty
at a reasonableham
shops.
price.

SEG OV I A
Segovia is a cit y brimming with ancientwonders and cultural treasures. One of its most
famous landmarks is the Roman aqueduct, a
massive stone structure built over 2,000 years
ago. What’s remarkable about this aqueduct isthat it doesn’t use any cement to hold its stones
together. Instead, the stones are stacked so
perfectly that they stay in place on their own.
This engineering marvel stretches almost akilometer across the city and stands as a symbolof Segovia’s enduring past. Another highlight of
Segovia is the Alcázar, a grand castle perched
on a rocky hill. With its tall towers and stone
walls, the Alcázar looks like something out ofa fairy tale. Inside, visitors can explore rooms
filled with ancient treasures and learn about the
castle’s fascinating history. From royal residence
to military fortress, the Alcázar has played manyroles over the centuries, making it a must-see
for history enthusiasts. Segovia also boasts a
stunning cathedral, a magnificent example ofGothic architecture. With its soaring spires andintricate carvings, the cathedral is a sight tobehold both inside and out. Visitors can marvel
at its beautiful stained-glass windows andornate altars, each telling a story of faith anddevotion.
In addition to its architectural wonders, Segovia
is home to a historically rich Jewish quarter,
known as the Jewish Town (El Barrio de laJudería). Here, visitors can wander throughnarrow cobblestone streets lined with centuriesold buildings, remnants of Segovia’s oncethriving Jewish communit y. Synagogues,
bathhouses, and other cultural landmarks offer a
glimpse into the city’s multicultural past, where
Christians, Jews, and Muslims once coexisted
harmoniously.
Throughout the year, Segovia plays host to amyriad of cultural events and festivities, frommusic concerts to religious processions, adding
vibrancy to its ancient streets. When we visited,
we were fortunate to witness a few uniquefestivals and parades, which added to the city’scharm and left us in awe of its rich cultural
heritage. We highly recommend visiting Segovia
to anyone seeking a captivating blend of history
and culture.
UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES OUR DIARIES IN SPAIN

53

BARC ELO NA
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia is a city richin both history and contemporary charm. One ofits most captivating features is the architecturallegacy of Antoni Gaudí, whose whimsicalcreations dot the cityscape. A must-see isthe iconic Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s magnum
opus. This towering basilica, with its intricate
façade and surreal interior, is a testament to
Gaudí’s genius and remains one of the mostrecognizable symbols of the city. Its ongoing
construction, started in 1882, is a reflectionof Barcelona’s commitment to preserving its
cultural heritage while embracing the future.
Another masterpiece of Gaudí is Park Güell, awhimsical wonderland that feels like stepping
into a fairy tale. This UNESCO World Heritage
Site is a mosaic-filled park adorned with colorful
sculptures, winding pathways, and breathtaking
views of the city. It’s a perfect spot to immerse
oneself in Gaudí’s fantastical world and marvel
at his architectural ingenuity.
Barcelona’s cultural scene extends far beyond
its architectural wonders. The city pulsateswith energy, from its lively streets and bustlingmarkets to its world-renowned cuisine andvibrant nightlife. Visitors can wander throughthe historic Gothic Quarter, enjoy tapas at a
local taverna, or soak up the sun on the sandy
shores of Barceloneta Beach. Barcelona’s allure
lies in its ability to seamlessly blend the old with
the new. Whether wandering through its streetsor taking in panoramic views from Montjuïc
Hill, you are sure to be charmed by Barcelona’s
timeless appeal.

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Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

CÓR D O B A
Córdoba is an ancient city in Spain’s southern
Andalusia region and was once very importantduring Roman times. It has a mix of Islamic,
Christian, and Jewish cultures in its history. We
have completely fallen in love with this beautiful
c i t y! The Mo sque -Cathe dral (calle d theMezquita) was so amazing and luckily, we got
to hear hymns there. Being inside the Mezquita,
where Islamic and Christian art mix made us
forget about time and filled us with a relaxedand sacred feeling. It was unlike anything we’ve
experienced in Japan.
After exploring Córdoba’s pretty streets with
their white walls and potted plants, we foundsome nice cafes and had the best café time
ever. We were greatly excited because cafes
and houses were adorned with stylish tiles
and abundant flowers. It made the entire city
resemble a work of art.
The highlight of our Córdoba trip was Palaciode Viana. It’s about a 20-minute walk from thecity center and has 13 different gardens. Eachof them is beautiful and charming! Even though
this spot is not talked about much in Japaneseguidebooks, we really recommend visiting it
if you travel to Córdoba! We were able to fully
immerse ourselves in the aesthetic sense andelegant lifestyle of the Spanish nobility from thepast. This trip left us feeling truly blissful.
Córdoba is now one of our favorite cities
because of its tranquility and beauty!

UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES OUR DIARIES IN SPAIN

55

RONDA
Ronda is a photogenic village located in
Andalusia, southern Spain, known for its
stunning white city on cliffs. The town sitshigh up at 739 meters above sea level with thefamous Puente Nuevo bridge standing about
100 meters tall. We woke up early to watch thesunrise from the bridge, but it was unexpectedly
closed for construction and inaccessible.
Unable to reach the scenic spot and faced withthe cold, we hurriedly searched for an open
café and found a charming one where we could
catch our breath. By noon, we finally could
watch beautiful views and were mesmerized by
Ronda’s vast panoramic views of the cliffs androlling hills. After enjoying the scenery, we felt
truly grateful for visiting Ronda!

MÁL AGA
Málaga is a sunny city located in Andalusia on
the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. We traveledfrom Ronda to Málaga by bus and spent about
six hours there. We explored the lively bars andstreets rich in both beach sea and traditional
Spanish culture and felt the brightness andpassion of the people. Later, we relaxed bysitting on Malagueta Beach gazing at the sea.
Watching people reading books or playing with
their families on the beach was very peacefuland heartwarming for us. Additionally, theIberian pork tapas we had for dinner in Málaga
were the most delicious tapas we tasted during
our five-week internship! Though our time
was short, our trip helped us understand why
Málaga is so loved by the Spanish people. We
all certainly wanted to stay longer in Málaga
and discover even more of its charms.

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Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

VA L È N C I A
València, located on Spain’s southeastern coastand the western part of the Mediterranean Sea
is the third largest city in Spain after Madridand Barcelona, populated with around 1.5
million people. València is also birthplace of
Spain’s most iconic dish, Paella. The dish iswell-known to be cooked with seafoods, butinterestingly, the traditional Valèncian paella’s
main ingredients were served with rabbit andchicken. During the visit, we had the pleasureof exploring many fascinating landmarks,
each telling a unique story of València’s richheritage and vibrant culture. Cathedral deValència, a magnificent structure that stands asa testament to varied architectures styles from
Gothic, Romanesque to Baroque. Its Miguelete
Tower offers panoramic views of the city andthe Mediterranean Sea. La Lonja de la Seda, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site symbolized thecity’s golden age of commerce during the 15thand 16th centuries, used as a center for tradingin silk and other commodities. Our favorite areaof the place was the courtyard filled with orange
trees providing a relaxation atmosphere. Finally,a must-visit landmark of València, City of Arts
and Sciences is more than just a collection ofbuildings but is a modern symbol of innovationand science. We visited Oceanogràfic, one of
the main parts of the landmark and Europe’s
biggest aquarium, home to countless species ofsea animals such as dolphins, belugas, sea lions
and sharks. The combination of the impressivearchitecture, the sky and the sunset are among
our most cherished memories of València.

UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES OUR DIARIES IN SPAIN

57

SEVILL A
We arrived in Sevilla, the capital of Andalusia insouthern Spain, in the evening. After depositing
our suitcases, we set out on foot towards the
Plaza de España. Sevilla is a city rich in history,art, and culture, making it one of Spain’s mostvisited destinations. During our walk, we could
feel Sevilla’s unique blend of Moorish heritageand Spanish tradition. The Plaza de España isadorned with a series of towers and a canal,over which four bridges represent the ancient
kingdoms of Spain. At night, we had a traditional
Andalusian meal, with our favorite dish being
spinach with chickpeas. Furthermore, we were
profoundly impressed by Flamenco, the soulful
and passionate dance that originated in Sevilla.
The second day was a rainy day so we could
only we visited the Royal Alcázar de Sevillaand did some shopping. We enjoyed testingproducts made from oranges at the souvenir
shop.

GRANADA
Granada hosts one of Spain’s must-visit
attractions, the Alhambra Palace. We booked
our time slot for the Nasrid Palaces within the
Alhambra at 8:30 in the morning. It was a sleepy
morning, but this timing allowed us to enjoy
the beauty of the Alhambra Palace without thecrowds. The walls of the palace are decorated
with intricate Islamic patterns. The palace
area was so huge that it took us more than anhour and a half to finish exploring the place.
Apart from the Nasrid Palace, the gardens in
the Generalife area were majestic, and thepanoramic view of Granada seen from the
Alcazaba, the fortress, was breathtaking. Our
trip to Granada perfectly concluded our travels
in Spain.

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Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

BUDGET
BREAKDOWN
Living for five weeks andexploring an enchanting
countr y led to spending
our money on a variety ofitems. Here’s how we used
our funds throughout the
program.
Name

Restaurants

Groceries

Transportation

Daily
Necessities

Social Events

Souvenirs

Total

Takafumi

€705

€216

€745

€79

€118

€300

€ 2,163

Shizuka

€476

€116

€574

€13

€260

€289

€1,728

Fathya

€335

€92

€445

€40

€341

€345

€1,598

Sawat

€924

€105

€436

€98

€264

€234

€2,061

Aki

€554

€119

€473

€24

€259

€405

€1,834Mahiro

€819

€39

€414

€241

€413

€154

€2,080It’s evident that we have a passion for exploring Spanish restaurants. Additionally, we
allocated a significant portion of our budget to transportation, considering our visits tonumerous beautiful cities.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

59

Messages from Korean Colleagues

60

Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

Kim Hansol

Jang Jinsol

Hwang Jae Eon (Amy)

Bergé’s International Talent Program 2024
was an amazing experience that went beyond
just an internship. The program embraced
diversity, letting me work with people fromdifferent backgrounds, which made it moreinteresting and creative. I met an amazing
mentor, Daniela, who really helped me learn
and grow professionally. She was always there
to guide me and push me to do my best. But
it wasn’t all about work! I made some greatfriends during the program. We went on trips
together and had fun lunches and dinners.
These friendships made the whole experienceeven better and more memorable. Looking
back, I’m grateful for everything I learned andexperienced in Bergé’s International Talent
Program 2024. It wasn’t just a job—it was ajourney that helped me grow as a person anda professional. I would highly recommend thisprogram to anyone looking for an enriching
and rewarding experience.

My life has been enriched by the month I
spent in Spain. Through the ITP program, I
was able to gain professional knowledge andget to know the Spanish culture. It allowed me
to experience the passion of my colleagues
and gain a valuable understanding of the
field. I also got to know the Japanese culture,
which gave me a better insight into the cultureof each country by comparing them. I amvery thankful to have been a part of such a
wonderful program.

My 2024 winter in Spain was amazing. I will
never forget each moment. Thanks to Bergéy compañía, I could experience so much.
After returning to Korea, many people havecommented, ‘ You seem happy. Your smile
has become brighter.’ It’s true. I genuinely
experienced happiness in Spain, and evenupon returning to Korea, that positive energy
continues to keep me alive. I received kindness
and energy from many people in Spain, andI am sincerely grateful to all of them. Theirkindness and bright energy will keep my life
warm, and I will strive to show kindness toothers as they did to me. Additionally, I willremember the good memories from Spain
when I find myself in challenging situations.
¡Muchas gracias, Bergé! Thank you for giving
us precious memories.

Baek Jiwoong (Mark)Seo Yewon (Sofia)

Bahn Shangha (Sean)

Through ITP, I not only gained professional
experience but also spent a fulfilling month ofhappiness. Working as an intern in Astara’s
marketing team provided me with hands-on
experience in the automotive industry, allowing
me to engage in various aspects of marketing.
Above all, the time spent with my Japanese
friends was incredibly valuable and precious.
Sharing tapas, paella, sangria after work were
unforgettable moments. Making friends who
are going through similar stages in life wassincerely enriching.

Being part of the International Talent Program
was an unforgettable experience for me.
Thanks to Bergé, we could visit different
places in Spain such as Toledo and Cuzcurrita.
Visiting these places helped us deeply learn
the history, culture, and gastronomies of
Spain. Moreover, by working in Astara, I could
experience the Spanish working environmentand roles of the Finance department in termsof the automobile dealership market. The best
part of ITP was that we could interact withnot only Spanish people, but also with theJapanese students. By communicating day andnight with the Japanese students, I could wellunderstand their culture and really hope tokeep in touch with them.

On-site internship at Bergé was extraordinary
and will be the most valuable experience.
Being in a real working environment surely
increased my potential of being able to adapt
to new fields and expand my knowledge about
the shipping business in general. As I was
assigned to the Operations team with greatcolleagues, the opportunity to be in the middleof the active shipping brokerage or shipping
business enhanced the overall understandingof the business and beyond. After attending the
ITP at Bergé, with participants from different
backgrounds, I now have a dream to pursue a
career that allows me to work in other places
than just in Korea or Asia.

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MESSAGESFOR
FUTURE
INTERNS
2024
me

HU

ational Ta
rn

Bergé Inte

After finishing my internship, I
can say that I learned a lot and I
accomplished a lot, so I want to sharesome tips for the next participants. Be
active at work. Don’t be passive. Take
it for granted that at the start of theinternship everything will take a longtime and you will need a lot of effort
to succeed in taking your first steps;
don’t worry since this starting period
will help you in the weeks to come.
Think deeply and precisely about what
your work is and all the tasks that you
must achieve. Remember: you are doing
this for your future.

I want to tell you that you should
definitely challenge yourself during
this internship even if you are not very
good at English. While daunting, theprogram offers more than language
proficiency—it provides diverse
experiences with peers from Korea,
Japan, and also the people in Spain.
It fosters understanding and fresh
perspectives, expanding horizons andrevealing new opportunities for yourfuture. Emphasizing passion overlanguage prowess, the experience istransformative. Trust in yourself,embrace curiosity, and seize theextraordinary opportunities ahead.

Try to enjoy every moment to
the fullest. Each day brings new
discoveries, whether it’s something
to learn or simply moments of joy.
Don’t be afraid to try new andpositive experiences, as this momentwith your friends in Spain will notcome again. And remember, if you
encounter challenges, there will always
be someone there to offer support.
Don’t hesitate to seek assistance, andbe sure to extend a helping hand to
your friends whenever possible, as truefriendships endure over time.

Takafumi

Shizuka

FathyaThe five weeks will fly by in theblink of an eye. I can assure youthat this program will yield valuable
experiences. The staff at Bergé areincredibly welcoming and are ready toanswer any questions you may have,so I highly recommend making themost of your time by asking questions!
Additionally, Spain offers a wide
variety of delicious food and exciting
places to explore. Therefore, I strongly
advise not waiting and pursuing what
you want to do and visiting the places
you desire when the opportunity arises.
Remember: Do not wait; the time will
never be ‘just right.’

I recommend actively participating ingatherings and events while in Spain!
During your internship in Spain,
you’ll have opportunities to attend
a number of parties and engage incasual conversations with colleagues.
By actively conversing with various
people, you can gain new perspectives
and knowledge as well as develop
friendships. Building relationships
may lead to invitations to other eventsand gatherings. It allows you to learn
more about life and work in Spain andcreate cherished memories. I hopeeveryone has unforgettable experiencesin Spain!

Be proactive and engaged during yourinternship. You might encounter a
lot of opportunities that offer you
choices on what to do. It’s up to you
if you take this advantage or not. But
don’t be afraid to step outside of yourcomfort zone and try something new.
Also, I found that communication skills
are crucial. It looks obvious but not
everyone will know your preferences,interests, and aspirations unless you
express them. So, do not hesitate
to tell what you want to others forsmoother communication!

t Program
len

Sawat

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Bergé International Talent Programme 2024

Aki

MahiroMESSAGES FOR FUTURE INTERNS

63

CONCLUDING
WORDS
Since October 2023, when we first applied for the program, we began with optimism,
aiming for something worthwhile. Now, as we conclude the program, we haveachieved far more than we anticipated, gaining a multitude of valuable experiences
and opportunities.
This remarkable experience was made possible by the executives and the mentors
of Bergé y Compañía, who initiated the program to provide us with a professional
experience, introduce us to Spanish culture, and arrange educational visits. Theircommitment to fostering our growth and facilitating our learning has been crucial.
Through this program, they have provided us with valuable insights, assistance, andopportunities essential for our personal growth and career advancement.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our mentors from Berge y Compañía,
whose guidance has been invaluable in providing us with firsthand insight into theworkings of a professional environment. Their mentorship has not only equipped us
with practical skills but also instilled in us a deeper understanding of professional
norms and expectations. Moreover, I want to acknowledge our friends from Chung
Ang University who made beautiful friendships with us and supported each otherwhenever in need. They are inseparable from our beautiful memories of Spain.
Together, we have shared laughter, exploration, and unforgettable moments that havecreated bonds that will endure. Their friendship has truly been a cornerstone of ourexperience, adding warmth and depth to every memory we’ve made.
Lastly, but certainly not least, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed
professors and mentors, Jin and John. Throughout our academic journey, theirguidance and mentorship has been invaluable, not only in preparing us for learning
but also in providing invaluable advice along the way, both in Japan and Spain.
As we bid farewell to this chapter of our lives, we carry with us a treasure trove ofmemories, lessons, and friendships forged through shared experiences and mutual
support. While our time together in Spain may be coming to an end, the bonds we’ve
formed and the lessons we’ve learned will continue to shape our paths long into the
future. May our stories in this Reflection Report serve as a testament to the personal
and professional growth that awaits those who dare to step outside their comfort
zone and embrace new opportunities for self-improvement.

Khadijah Fathya Khairunnisa
Chief Editor

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Bergé International Talent Programme 2024