What Brought You Here? My Introduction

Hello. I am Kiu Minami from Japan!

Currently

I've been staying in Canada with Working Visa since this April. I am working as a server at a restaurant in Calgary to make my living. I am having a slower life here, learning Canadian culture and practicing mindfulness.

Background

I was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1998, between my Korean parents. However, my parents speak Japanese and I barely speak Korean, which makes me just a regular Japanese guy who knows good Korean food. I was brought up in Shizuoka Prefecture until 15, when I decided to study abroad in a high school in New Zealand. For 3 years, I studied in a small town called Whitianga where there is no traffic light in the whole town. I mean zero, literally. But everything is a trade-off I guess. Instead of the city lights and construction, there were stunning view of stars, beautiful wild bushes, and disorienting chilling atmosphere. I enjoyed myself a lot in such environment as well as learning English. 

Then I got back to Japan for University to become an English teacher I dreamed of. I majored in ESL at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies. After graduating, I became an English Teacher at a High School in Shizuoka. 

What Brought Me Here

People's values change as their life stages change. Working as a teacher, I was delighted to take part in students' development. Although, I can't deny that it is a demanding job. As I got married, my value changed. I thought I should no longer keep working as a teacher if I can't manage to spend time with my family. My wife was also working as an English teacher. As we discussed, we decided to take a year off on our honeymoon. While in Canada, we're expecting to explore, learn, meet a lot and make the most of it. Regarding above, I chose Calgary since it is rich in nature and close to Banff, which was in my bucket list. 

Likes

I am a foodie. I love trying new food. At Calgary Stampede which we had a couple weeks ago, I had time of my life challenging various kinds of weird street foods such as Elk stick, watermelon hamburger, alligator pizza, cheeseburger ice cream an so forth. The turkey leg that was as big as my face was unforgettable. 

I am also a hiker. I love walking more than anything. When we walk, we sense so many things like vivid and colorful flowers, berries, and other plants from the season, and their scents. The activities of inhabitants such as bugs, birds or small creatures. Those are the things we wouldn't able to notice if we run, bike, or drive. 
Despite in today's fast-paced society, I always cherish a room in my mind to be grateful to the presence. 

Thank you for reading to the end!

My Introduction: Who I Am and What I Do

Hello, I'm Naoko, and I'm thrilled to be a part of the Tenach team!

I'm currently a student at Seneca College, studying Software Development. Even though I'm a mom of three, I never stop learning new things and pursuing my goals. To be honest, I struggle with English and learning programming every day, but I’m determined to keep improving.

I applied for this internship because I wanted to connect with people who are passionate about what they do and learn from them. I’m naturally introverted and shy, and not a big fan of talking to people, but I’m trying to become more outgoing and social.

I originally came to Canada in 2007 on a working holiday and worked at Booster Juice, which was an invaluable experience. After that, I returned to my hometown of Fukuoka, Japan.

I've had a variety of work experiences, including being a beauty consultant,

working at a hotel front desk, and even in administration. However, I realized that I wanted to develop specialized skills, which led me to start learning programming. I returned to Canada in 2021 with my kids to continue this journey.

In my free time, I love watching Japanese TV shows, even though it’s not the best for improving my English - but I can't help it! I also enjoy cooking and having a drink.

My goals are to graduate with my degree, become more fluent in English, make lots of friends, and connect with different people.

I look forward to working with you all!

Embarking on a New Journey: My Story

 Greetings! I am Sachiyo, and I am delighted to begin my internship at Tenatch!

I am currently studying Computer Programming at Seneca College. Recently, I moved to Toronto from Mie, Japan, with my non-English speaking family, which includes my husband and our three children. Before relocating, I spent over 10 years working primarily in customer service at a local bank in Japan, where I enjoyed meeting customers and helping them resolve their issues. During my time there, I also had the opportunity to work on corporate accounts and support Corporate Relationship Managers. This experience sparked my interest in how financial support is provided to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through this internship, I aim to learn how to support small businesses from an IT perspective.

I want to be an adventurer in life. I am fascinated by the significant roles IT plays in continuously transforming our world. Although I am new to the IT field and am learning these skills in college at this stage of my life, I firmly believe it’s never too late to start something new. I also aspire to run a small business someday.

As a mother of three, I have learned to balance family responsibilities, studies, and work. Despite the challenges, I make sure to take time for self-care, enjoying activities such as yoga, jogging, relaxing with my kids, and watching dramas and movies. I am also passionate about visiting other countries, which I have not had the opportunity to do yet. Perhaps, after acquiring skills that allow me to work from anywhere, I will have the chance.

I am excited to connect with new people here and to continue learning and growing. I am very open to new experiences and opportunities.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. Have a fantastic day!

Introducing Myself

Hello everyone! My name is Nanami Waku.

I am excited to introduce myself as a new intern at Tenatch! I recently graduated from George Brown College in Toronto, where I majored in Computer Programming and Analysis. My passion for technology and problem-solving led me to pursue this internship, and I am thrilled to start this new journey.

Originally from Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture in Japan, I moved to Toronto, Canada to broaden my horizons and gain international experience. Prior to coming to Canada, I graduated from Tohoku Gakuin University in Japan with a major in Law. This diverse educational background has provided me with a unique perspective and a strong foundation in both analytical and critical thinking skills.

During my studies at George Brown College, I had the opportunity to work on various projects, with the most significant being the KANE project. This project involved developing a scalable, secure, and highly available web application using AWS. It was a great learning experience that helped me understand the intricacies of managing a large-scale application and improving user experience.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I have also been working part-time, where I have taken on the challenge of creating an application for the business. This hands-on experience has allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a real-world setting, further enhancing my skills in software development and project management.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exploring new places, and experiencing different cultures. Traveling has always been a passion of mine, and it has given me a broader perspective on life and work. I often share my travel experiences on my social media platforms.

I am looking forward to contributing to the team and learning from everyone at Tenatch. Thank you for welcoming me, and I am excited to get started!

 

From Japan to Canada: My Introduction

Hello!

I am Sige, originally from Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. I am currently a student at Humber College majoring in Computer Programming. In this blog, I will share information about myself and my hobbies with all of you.

Background

In Japan, I worked in pharmaceutical sales. After that, I wanted to pursue a specialized profession, so I jumped into the world of engineering. People often say that I have been good with computers since I was young, but to be honest, I was more on the struggling side. However, before changing careers, I studied IT in the Philippines, which sparked my interest, and I became an engineer. The IT field is vast and deep, and there is still so much I need to learn, but when it comes to pharmaceuticals, I've got that covered!

Hobbies

My hobbies mainly include watching movies and working out. I especially love movies and make time to enjoy them not just on weekends but also during weekdays whenever I can. Recently, I've also started to challenge myself with weight training. This is because when I'm studying programming, I find myself sitting at my desk almost all day long. I relieve stress through moderate exercise. I'm also looking forward to trying out outdoor activities in Canada. I would be happy to connect with others who share the same hobbies through this blog.

Goals and Dreams

My goal is to obtain permanent residency in Canada in the future. More than just Canada, I want to work as an engineer in an English-speaking country.

I also aim to provide useful information and fun through this blog. I want it to be a place where I can grow together!

That's all, thank you for reading to the end.

Summer

 

©Toshihide Ikoma 2022

The Sea of Okinawa

“THE SEA! the sea! the open sea!

The blue, the fresh, the ever free!

Without a mark, without a bound,

It runneth the earth’s wide regions round;

It plays with the clouds; it mocks the skies;

Or like a cradled creature lies.”

- Bryan W. Procter 

 

©Toshihide Ikoma 2022

The sky is blue. The blue sea stretches out beyond the horizon. The boat, shining in the hot sunlight, moves forward slowly. The wind blows along with the boat, carrying the smell of salt. An island overgrown with trees comes into view in the distance.

It seems like it will take a while. I returned to the boat, drank some juice I bought at the supermarket, and watched a program called "Coral Paradise" that I had downloaded from Netflix beforehand. 

©Toshihide Ikoma 2022

Aka Island

After about 30 minutes, the boat announced that we would arrive soon. I went outside the boat. Then, the sea changed from a deep blue to a beautiful cobalt blue. Looking carefully outside the boat, I saw wild sea turtles swimming there.

©Toshihide Ikoma 2022

©Toshihide Ikoma 2022

As I looked out at the sea from the pier, a ship came toward me. Its white hull stood out against the cobalt-blue sea and could be seen from afar. The sea was a variety of colours, from dark blue to light blue to pale blue, and it looked as if the white ship was creating a marbled pattern on the sea.

I walked through the island to the beach. The sun was still full of energy, shooting arrows of sunlight at the living things on Earth. Just as I was getting exhausted from the heat, I sensed the presence of a large animal. It turned out to be a Kerama deer, an endemic species that lives on the Kerama Islands.

©Toshihide Ikoma 2022

The endlessly blue and beautiful sea. Why don't you visit the sea of Okinawa this summer?

Experience Japan: Mississauga's Japan Festival 2024

Hello everyone!

In this post, I'm going to share an exciting event in Mississauga (a city approximately one hour from Toronto): the Japan Festival! Mark your calendars for August 17th (Sat.) -18th (Sun.)  and head over to Mississauga Celebration Square for an unforgettable experience. 

Last year, I attended the festival and it was an absolutely fantastic experience! The square was full of vendors offering Japanese foods, unique goods, and so much more! Some of the foods available at the event can be quite difficult to track down even in the GTA, so whether you're homesick for Japanese foods or a Japanese cuisine connoisseur, step on down and you very well may find the gem you've been searching for!  
But the festival is not just about vendors! You can witness amazing performances, including traditional dance, Taiko drumming, and martial arts demonstrations. I can't recommend the Taiko drumming enough--you can see the passion of these drummers while feeling each thump of the drum in you chest! These performances provide a wonderful glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Japan. 

Mississauga has done an incredible job designing a city square for gathering and celebrating. Celebration Square features a stage, sound system, large LCD screens, and plenty of space to sit and enjoy the event. What's more, if the Japan Festival isn't to your taste, Celebration Square hosts many other events throughout the spring and summer (all of which are free to enter). How about a free movie night on the big screen outdoors? Well, Celebration Square has you covered, featuring free movie nights every Thursdays starting early July.

These Mississauga events provide great opportunities to explore different cultures, meet new people, and enjoy a fun day out with family and friends. Be sure to check it out! Mississauga events calendar

Thank you for reading my blogpost and have a wonderful day!

Website: japanfestivalcanada.com
Instagram: instagram.com/japanfestivalcanada
YouTube: youtube.com/@JapanFestivalCANADA
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/japan-festival-canada
Facebook: facebook.com/japanfestivalcanada