In this post, we’re excited to interview Arthur: a student at Harvard University, and G-angle’s first-ever overseas intern!
■ Profile
Name: Arthur Nunes Arruda Câmara
Hometown: Pasadena, California, USA
School: Class of 2028 at Harvard College
Position: Summer Global Business Development Intern at G-angle
■ What do you study at Harvard University?
I major in East Asian Studies and Economics. Within East Asian Studies, my focus is on Japanese media, so I’m taking a lot of classes on Japanese entertainment and media studies, and I’ll be starting Japanese language classes next semester. I’ve also had the chance to branch out and take a class on Korean media studies!
Recently, I’ve been trying to tie together my East Asian Studies and Economics majors. While most of my Economics classes so far have been general and fundamental, I had the chance to take classes on global economics and corporate finance, which have been tangibly useful during my internship.
■ Apart from your studies, what kinds of extracurricular activities are you involved in?
I really enjoy music and theatre. I like performing on stage, playing gigs around Boston, and I spend a lot of time with the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, Harvard’s premiere musical theatre troupe. I love traveling with them on tour—we put on shows in New York City and Bermuda every year!
I’m also a teaching assistant for some Economics courses at Harvard, and I volunteer for the First-Year Arts Program for incoming freshmen every summer. After I wrap up my internship, I’m going straight back to school to welcome the new students!
■ Last summer was your first time in Japan—what motivated you to return?
The last time I was in Japan, I had a total blast. I came to study abroad, and studied Japanese business and language. It was incredibly interesting, especially to see some of the stuff that I’d seen in class come to life—even just walking down the street, I’d run into a billboard we’d studied in class, or some marketing campaign for a franchise I had learned about. I also thought the food was excellent, I got to travel around the country, and I had so much fun that I knew I wanted to come back.
So this year, I talked to my East Asian Studies advisor, Professor Tomiko Yoda, who put me in contact with Michaela Kane (on G-angle’s Global Business Development Team), her former student. I was then able to come back to Japan thanks to funding from the Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies at Harvard!
In short, I fell in love with Japan the first time I was here, and I’m having an even better experience this time around! I didn’t know it was even possible to enjoy Japan more than I did the first time. *laughs*
■ What did you do during your internship?
I’ve been able to work on a variety of projects. With Michaela specifically, I’m given a good balance of client-facing tasks and more internal ones. Michaela has taken me to meetings, introduced me to folks in the industry, and let me prepare pitch decks for various projects. On the back-end of things, it’s been a lot of spreadsheets, project management, and organizational items.
Beyond the administrative stuff, I’ve had the chance to work from a more creative position. I got to voice act for an anime and an indie game, help record and produce some music, and more. I’ve also had the chance to work with other departments, such as having weekly “Omotenashi Days” (Japanese hospitality training) at the front desk, working with the studio voice team, and helping the illustration team up in Sapporo during my visit. It’s been a lot of fun!
■ What has it been like working at G-angle?
It’s been amazing. 10/10. I’ve had such a good time.
Everyone is so welcoming, kind, and energetic, and I’ve made such good friends since I’ve been here.
I wake up every day excited to come to work, and excited for whatever projects I’m working on. The people have been amazing, and so has the hands-on experience with the Japanese entertainment that I learn about in class.
■ What’s been the most difficult part of working at G-angle?
Not speaking Japanese. *laughs*
That’s been the hardest part. But everyone has been so kind about teaching me Japanese, and doing their best with English, that it hasn’t even really been a problem. I think it all points back to the G-angle “omotenashi!”
■ Have you noticed any differences between American Japanese work culture since you started your internship at G-angle?
This is actually my first-ever office experience, anywhere, so it’s hard to compare directly.
But, when I got here, I immediately felt that there was a very distinctly Japanese level of formality, friendliness, and cleanliness. For example, there are no custodians at G-angle—everyone cleans the office every day!
I’ve noticed that people here take pride in their work, and everyone’s welcoming and polite. It’s been really nice!
■ What type of person thrives at G-Angle?
This is a place for people who like to work hard—and more than that, who like to work on something new every day! There’s always a new project to tackle.
■ What are your plans for the future? Do you have any particular career goals?
I’m not sure yet! I do think I want to continue working in Japanese entertainment and media. At Harvard, I plan to write a thesis in the East Asian Studies department about Japan, which should give me more hands-on experience with the field.
Whatever I wind up doing, I hope to spend more time in Japan in the future!
■ How did you spend your days off in Japan?
I love traveling around Japan! The Sapporo trip that I took with Michaela and Evan (to visit the G-angle branch up there) was a blast. I’m going further south to visit some Japanese beaches in a couple of weeks, which should be fun. And I’ve been to Chiba a few times for baseball and Tokyo Disney. *laughs*
I really enjoy Japanese music, too. Especially jazz—I’ve had the chance to play some music at restaurants and even at the University of Tokyo!
And I love shopping for used video games—I once walked an entire mile in a GEO store’s used games section! *laughs* You can often find me in a Book Off or small stores in Akihabara.
■ What are your favorite places in Japan?
There are so many! I’ve mentioned Book Off, and all of Akihabara, really. There’s an all-you-can-eat A5 wagyu place in Ginza that has some of the best steaks I’ve had. And Uniqlo… I think I have at least fifteen shirts from there. *laughs*
From my travels around Japan, I loved Kyoto and Sapporo, and closer to Tokyo, I had a great time in Chiba, Hakone, and Kamakura. Shibuya has been a great place to live, and the Nintendo Store there always blows my mind. And, of course, I love Ebisu, where the G-angle office is—it’s a lovely place! There’s great food all around us, and I really appreciate working here.
■ What are your favorite Japanese foods?
I’ve thought a lot about this question. In no particular order: Japanese steak, Japanese curry (I go to CoCoICHI curry at least twice a week), and—very specifically—Japanese mapo tofu. I understand it’s a Chinese dish, but the Japanese version specifically has consistently been a go-to meal for me since I’ve been here!
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