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Graduates of IDP are skilled in economic analysis, numerous computer programs, and languages. As a result, they are highly competitive in multiple job markets, especially in Japan.
Many graduates have successfully found jobs in international organizations, research institutes, consulting firms, banks, and multinational enterprises. Prestigious Ph.D. programs in economics and related fields are another avenue open to IDP graduates. |
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Jason Bowers
U.K.
Class of 1990
Vice President
Fixed Income
JP Morgan
London, U.K. |
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After graduating from International Relations school in 1990, majoring in what was then International Economics, now called the International Development program, I joined Barclays Bank, Tokyo Branch in the Treasury Department. Whilst my degree fulfilled a wish to gain a more sophisticated understanding of game theory and was necessary to open doors when applying for jobs, it was my ability to speak Japanese that clinched my first job.
I arrived in Japan with zero Japanese. Actually I knew the word sayounara _ not so useful when arriving in a new country. However after 2 years of attending IUJ's Japanese language program, my spoken Japanese was beyond everyday conversation and sufficient to hold business dialogue, whilst my written Japanese continued to improve and after a further 2 years was sufficient to read the Nikkei newspaper. I say all this to prove that you can do it - and that there's something in it for you, i.e. a job. I continue to use my Japanese language skills on a daily basis selling fixed income products. On a more personal level the ability to speak Japanese whilst living in the beautiful countryside of Niigata makes life easier, and definitely more fun. One piece of advice to improve one's reading of kanji - try and go to the local karaoke bars at least once week; probably best not to tell one's tutor though!! |
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Mitsuhiko Kataoka
Japan
Class of 1997
Associate Professor
Chiba Keizai University
Chiba, Japan |
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IDP is the quintessential step to developing one's professional career.
The wide range of career opportunities available to IDP alumni, including research and consulting firms, governments, international organizations, and Ph.D. programs, is a testament to the excellence of the program. The curriculum significantly advances all students' theoretical expertise and practical skills through the use of analytical tools to analyze international development issues. Furthermore, there are ample opportunities to develop professional presentation skills and to learn statistical software-packages.
The diverse student body is the ideal setting in which to share cross-cultural experiences. While the Bangladeshi university-lecturer classmate would explain the application of "Game Theory" to real business situations, the Japanese banker would astound the audience with the use of sophisticated digital media in financial valuation presentations. These and other experiences provided students with the chance to learn practical problem-solving approaches in multiple contexts. The faculty members of IDP are inspired teachers who also regularly organize tennis matches, ski tours, and barbecue parties. With their academic credentials and professional experiences, the faculty members often serve as role models for IDP students. This combination of analytical tools, communication skills, and world-class faculty makes IDP the quintessential step to developing one's professional career. |
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Misako Gurol
(left)
Japan
Class of 1998
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Yukino Tamai
(right)
Japan
Class of 1997
Senior Strategist,
Investment Strategy Department,
Daiwa Institute of Research, Ltd.
Tokyo, Japan |
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With its rare blend of a natural rural setting and a truly global student body, IUJ is the ideal place to be for those who aim to focus intensively on their studies while being immersed in an environment that will broaden their perspectives.
During our studies, we not only learned about theories of development economics, but also obtained hands-on experience in statistics and leading edge software tools that have helped us sharpen our analytical skills.
On the other hand, although relatively small in number, IUJ students come from over 40 countries. This gave us the opportunity to know everyone while enjoying a great variety of ideas and ways of thinking. After two years of study and the years following our graduation, our tight relationships have been preserved, and we feel strongly that our perspectives have changed to become more balanced and global.
So, IUJ is your ticket to a good career and an indispensable network of friends that will change you, too. When we think about our IUJ days, we always say, "That was one of the best moments of my life". That will most probably come out of your mouth as wellc |
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John Mackay
Canada
Class of 1998
Vice President,
Project Finance Division
Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.
Tokyo, Japan |
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Graduating with a BCom undergrad degree, I was looking for a program which pushed beyond corporate theory and took a broader approach - but one still grounded in economic analysis. I believe IDP truly delivers on this front. In my first year, I was equipped with quantitative "tools" which I was able to apply to my custom-built second year coursework. The flexibility of this degree is strengthened by an extremely diverse student body (and faculty) that not only ensured an unforgettable "out-of-classroom" experience, but also built the foundations for a vast business network that continues to this day to bolster my professional career. In my work as an industrial financier for a Japanese investment bank, IDP helped propel me up the learning curve with respect to the intellectual and cultural demands of my job.
IDP helped propel me up the learning curve with respect to the intellectual and cultural demands of my job. |
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Jesse J.K. Szeto
U.S.A.
Class of 1998
Manager
Emergency Services
Office of Research
University of California at Davis,
Davis, USA |
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My life was changed, and so will yours.
My experience in the International Development Program (IDP) at IUJ was invaluable to me during my tenure at the United Nations as a Project Expert and also in my current capacity as the Director of Intellectual Property Valuation at a technology start-up in Los Angeles. As recently as a few weeks ago, I found myself referring to my microeconomics textbook from my days at IUJ in order to properly guide the development of the Java code running the company's on-line valuation system. Furthermore, throughout my career, whether in the public or private sectors, the core quantitative analysis skills emphasized by the IDP curriculum have helped me to structure my work and to better analyze the political, social, and economic ramifications of my projects and the actions of others around me. In addition, the area studies courses and, more importantly, the extremely diverse student body that jointly attended these courses prepared me as no other situation could in the basic skills of diplomacy and the intrinsic need to always listen and understand another's perspective, no matter how much one may initially disagree. My former colleagues at the UN, the government officials who participated in my projects, and my current coworkers continue to benefit from the everyday lessons in diplomacy and dialogue that I learned from IDP.
Finally, being an alumnus of IDP provides me with access to and contacts in both the private and public sectors as my classmates have taken positions ranging from the Canadian Foreign Service to the Industrial Bank of Japan (Mizuho Bank) to PriceWaterhouseCoopers. It is no overstatement to say that IDP has opened my eyes and my mind to see and to understand the challenges facing the international development sector in ways that any other academic program would be hard-pressed to emulate. In short, my life was changed, and so will yours. |
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Nabeel A. Goheer
Pakistan
Class of 1999
Ph.D. in Economics,
Cambridge
UK
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It was a wonderful experience to join the International Development Program of IUJ. The program is a unique blend of theory and practice aimed at nurturing development experts for the 21st century with a special eastern flavor. The serene valley of Niigata provided an atmosphere conducive for learning and useful interaction in a multi culture and multi ethnic setting. My unending nostalgia for IDP stays with a quantum leap in my career that followed my graduation. |
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Zulqarnain Hussain Anjum
Pakistan
Class of 2000
Deputy Consultant,
National Reconstruction Bureau
Government of Pakistan
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The long-term relationship with my supervisor even after graduation is one of the most valuable assets from IUJ.
Nearly two years at IUJ have not only sharpened my formal skills but have also enriched my understanding of various cultures. No one can imagine the beauty of this campus in a rural setting that is nothing less than a heaven on earth especially for students with families. My wife, my two young daughters, and I had many memorable meetings with many nationalities and cultures in a truly cosmopolitan environment. IUJ is like an island inhabited by well-connected people hailing from various parts of the globe. My wife and I were highly active in the IUJ environment, and our kids were enriched by their experiences in a nearby nursery where teachers inculcated true Japanese culture and language skills. My elder daughter at the age of four could speak Japanese fluently and with a true Japanese accent. Most of the time, I was fully engaged in my studies and ensconced in the computer lab (IUJ has outstanding computing facilities equipped with a high speed network). My wife and I participated in almost all cultural shows and we attended the lectures of guest speakers arranged by the GSIR and GSIM Schools.
IDP is a well-managed and highly flexible program that often exceeds the expectations of students from various backgrounds. The program is taught by one of the best faculty in the world, all of whom display a genuine interest in their students' research. The program focuses on building problem-solving and analytical skills and prepares the students to overcome practical problems in the field of development planning, macroeconomic management, project finance, etc. I was amazed by the high levels of student-teacher interaction and the friendly but spirited debate that was an everyday occurrence during my days at IUJ. The long-term relationship with my supervisor even after graduation is one of the most valuable assets from IUJ that have furthered my development and enhanced my career. I am fully utilizing the knowledge and skills acquired from IDP in my present capacity as Deputy Consultant for analyzing fiscal decentralization in the National Reconstruction Bureau, Government of Pakistan. |
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Sung Ho Lee
Korea (KOR)
Class of 2000
Doctoral Fellow,
Rand Graduate School of Policy Analysis
Santa Monica, U.S.A.
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After I finished my undergraduate studies at Seoul University, I went to Canada for graduate studies in environmental planning at the University of Toronto in 1997. To my disappointment, I realized that the Western practices in this field could not simply be transferred wholesale to East Asia where socio-economic conditions are very different. The Asian economic crisis was another shock to me. All these experiences led me to IDP. IDP enabled me to develop practical skills in advanced economics and statistics while at the same time providing me access to many MBA courses in the International Management Program at IUJ. I think the greatest advantage of IUJ is the opportunity to study both economic theories and business skills; in other words, it allows me to see both the forest and the trees at the same time. At the end of the first year, I obtained an internship at the Asian Development Bank Institute in Tokyo, along with several other IDP friends. Based on the knowledge gained from my studies in IDP, my internship broadened my view of the world while providing me with practical experiences in international economics and
business. Another advantage to IDP is the opportunity to make many friends from all over the world and to learn their cultures through many festivals and events. These friendships will be the most valuable asset in my life.
IDP strengthened my skill set and abilities so that I may more effectively work for the betterment of society in East Asia. |
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Shimpei Ikematsu
Japan
Class of 2002
Manager, Syndications Finance Structuring Division
Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.
Tokyo, Japan
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One of the important characteristics of the International Development Program at IUJ is the diversity of its students. I can broaden my view on global issues through discussions with my classmates who have various professional, educational, and national backgrounds. It would be impossible to find such a diverse educational environment at other institutions in Japan.
It would be impossible to find such a diverse educational environment at other institutions in Japan. |
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Listrijono
Indonesia
Class of 2002
Ministry of Finance, Indonesia
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I have attended IUJ for one year not only as a student but also as part of a microcosm of the world community. I came across many cultures of which I had not previously been aware. Moreover, I have learned from not only the classes but also the life experiences at IUJ. IDP is ideal for students who want to study not only economic science but also cultural science.
I have learned from not only the classes but also the life experiences at IUJ. |
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Aliya Sartbayeva
Kazakhstan
Class of 2002
Lecturer,
Economics Department,
Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research (KIMEP)
Almaty, Kazakhstan |
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IUJ is a magnificent mosaic of various cultures, abundant knowledge, great friendship, and unforgettable memories. My first year as a student in IDP provided me with lessons in economics as well as in world cultures.
My first year provided me with lessons in economics as well as in world cultures. |
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Makoto Ujike
Japan
Class of 2002
Associate,
VA Department II
JAFCO Co., Ltd.
Tokyo, Japan |
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After discussions with a Japanese banker, a Tanzanian bureaucrat, a Laotian engineer, and an American dance instructor from N.Y., in a lecture conducted by an Indian Singaporean professor, I cook and enjoy a dinner with Chinese friends in a kitchen. This is my daily life here, and everyday is crammed with brainstorming sessions. Opportunities for developing one's intellect, understanding, and, of course, future career are always available at IUJ.
Everyday is crammed with brainstorming sessions. |
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Yuki Masujima
Japan
Class of 2004
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I am satisfied with the academics at IUJ. IDP covers the basic concepts of development study and research by using economics and other quantitative methods. If we want to learn business oriented subjects, we can take IM courses in the second year. The only problem is the small number of classes offered each term, since IUJ doesn't have Bachelors and Ph.D. programs. But other professors as well as our supervisors gladly accept our queries, even though they might be beyond the contents of classes.
We live on campus as if we were a large family. |
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Pham Quang Trung
Vietnam
Class of 2004
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The program over here is quite tough but also very interesting, I think. Challenging professors always place demands on students with assignments, exams and papers. Therefore, to maintain an acceptable performance level is not so hard, however to achieve high grades is really a big job that not all students can do. The pure competition among students, anyway, will be a good motivation for all to move forward.
From my own view, after 2 year at IUJ, I have collected a lot of knowledge, not only theoretically but also pratically, that is essential for my future career. |
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Soon Chan Hong
Korea (KOR)
Class of 2005
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Who would have thought that I would experience the world in a university located in rural Japan?
The tranquil environment of the International University of Japan is suitable for the rigorous demands of graduate studies. The diversity of the background and nationalities of the students has also contributed greatly in learning different development policies and development experiences of various countries. To complement the knowledge I acquired in development economics I also enrolled in International Relation and MBA courses. IUJ with its emphasis on software skills, applications and empirical research has immensely facilitated in acquiring skills essential to accomplishing my career goals. The low student to professor ratio has helped in developing not just good working relationship but also a more personal relationship with the professors.
My experience as teaching assistant for the Math and Computing and Econometric courses has also enhanced my ability to share what I have learned. Dealing with students from various countries with dispersed backgrounds was demanding but equally rewarding. Through this experience I have gained more friends who, unfortunately or not, continued to consult me regarding other courses. Thus, I happily remained as a teaching assistant, ready to answer problem sets until my last days in IUJ.
The difficulty of daily school life was ameliorated by visits to fascinating countries through conversations and exchange of distinct cultures with other students. Despite my lacking culinary skills, my IUJ days were spent eating sumptuous international cuisines. My delightful classmates from the IDP program came up with the best parties.
The concepts and theories I learned from IUJ are indispensable. More importantly, IUJ gave me a glimpse of the world by giving me the opportunity to live, share and learn from its people.
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