KIT Student Exchange Program and DX Journey in Japan

KIT student Kanika Dorn, a dedicated Software Engineering student from Batch 11, is currently immersed in a three-month internship in Japan, an exciting opportunity made possible through her university's exchange program. This experience is proving to be a pivotal and enriching part of her academic and personal development, providing her with invaluable lessons in independent living, cultural exchange, and practical industry skills right now.

During her time in Japan, Kanika is fully integrated into a professional environment, where she is contributing to a real-world project with a client. This situation has presented one of her biggest current challenges: communication. Working in a new country for the first time, she has been navigating the complexities of a foreign workplace. Despite the initial hurdles, she and her team are actively developing effective ways to share ideas and learn from one another—a process that is significantly boosting her confidence and professional growth day by day.

The most profound knowledge Kanika is gaining centers on project management and the role of a Digital Transformation (DX) promoter. Before this internship, her experience was largely focused on executing tasks based on predetermined requirements. Now, the program is exposing her to the entire project lifecycle. She is learning to communicate directly with customers, gather their requirements, and gain a deep understanding of their pain points. This shift in perspective, from a developer to a customer-centric problem solver, is actively enhancing both her technical abilities and her soft skills.

Beyond the office, living in Japan is a remarkable experience for Kanika. An avid explorer, she finds it easy to adapt to the local culture. She particularly admires the respectful and polite communication style prevalent in Japanese society, a quality she is determined to incorporate into her own professional conduct immediately.

Kanika already recommends the program to other students considering a career in Japan. Even before completion, she believes this three-month immersion offers a clear and practical understanding of the Japanese working environment, serving as excellent preparation for a future career there. For Kanika, this internship is not just a requirement but is unfolding as one of the most valuable experiences of her academic life, and she is deeply grateful for the opportunity.