Hikaru Saito (commerce)
When Japanese student Hikaru Saito had the opportunity to return to his home country for a co-op work term with award-winning executive recruitment firm Apex KK, he knew it would be the perfect chance to put this cultural intelligence into practice. As a commerce student with experience working in Canada and Japan, he was excited to embrace the duality of his identities.
A UVic changemaker award recipient
Hikaru is one of the inaugural recipients of the UVic Changemaker Awards, which celebrate co-op students who have made significant contributions to their workplace, community and/or to their own personal learning.
Hikaru was awarded the 2024 International Award, which recognizes international students who have made a meaningful contribution to the outcomes and goals of the organization or to their own personal or professional development while on a co-op work term.
Leading projects in executive recruitment
“At Apex, I was immersed in the fast-paced world of executive recruitment, specializing in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. From managing recruitment projects to facilitating communication between clients and candidates, I played a pivotal role in driving the organization’s mission forward.”
This included undertaking seven hiring projects for global pharmaceutical companies and supporting the day-to-day operations of other Apex consultants. During his four months at Apex, he secured two successful placements by identifying strong candidates for specific positions. Despite being an intern, he was entrusted with significant responsibilities, managing seven projects with budgets ranging from 7M JPY to 100M JPY.
Applying cultural intelligence
“My internship at Apex KK was a transformative experience,” says Hikaru. “As a bilingual student with experience studying in Canada, I found myself navigating a complex interplay of cultural expectations.” While some of Hikaru’s colleagues expected a high-level of formality, reflecting traditional Japanese workplace norms, others embraced a more relaxed and informal approach, mirroring the cultural atmosphere he had experienced in Canada.
As an international student having cultural backgrounds both in Japan and Canada, Hikaru was able to apply his cultural intelligence by being sensitive to the cultural expectations and fostering effective communication and collaboration with his colleagues.
“I embrace the diversity of perspectives within the workplace and sought to bridge, cultural divides by adopting a flexible, mindset, and a willingness to learn from others. While I initially struggle to navigate the nuances of cultural expectations, I gradually adapted to the environment, finding a balance between honouring traditional Japanese customs, and embracing the inclusive and collaborative culture cultivated at Apex.”
The transformative power of co-op
Hikaru’s work experience is a testament to the transformative power of experiential learning and the value of embracing diverse perspectives in driving innovation and success.
As a result of his co-op work terms, Hikaru was offered a post-graduation offer and will be working in a tax consulting position at EY.
Learn more
Learn more about the Changemaker awards and the ways that UVic co-op students are making a real difference.
- More about commerce co-op
- How to hire a co-op student