Krittidech "A" Yoosiri, '03, Thailand
A few months after graduating from St. Olaf College (in 2003), I got a job offer from Japan Airlines to work in its Passenger Service Section at Bangkok International Airport. I am currently in charge of all arriving JAL flights from Japan and I am in a process of learning JAL Reservation System in order to expand my responsibility to other types of duty in my section. I really enjoy working here as I have the opportunity to communicate in Japanese to both customers and co-workers. Having worked with the company for two months, I feel that the Japanese have a very high expectation when it comes to customer service. I realize that the learning experience in Asian Studies at St. Olaf College has been advantageous to my career not only because I could use the language skills I learned (and struggled!) to make Japanese passengers feel at ease but also from taking many cultural associated courses there, I could be aware of their nature and thus would be able to fulfill their needs.
Although Japan Airlines offers wonderful fringe benefits such as annual job training, excellent health insurance and free airline tickets, I still hope that in five to seven years after working in a Japanese environment, I will be able to improve my language skills to the level of proficiency that I can pursue my masters degree at one of Japan's prestigious Graduate Schools.
