How Japanese former study abroad students perceive this experience and its career impact as a potential Global Jinzai

Fostering Global Jinzai (global human resource) has become increasingly important in the Japanese political and economic context with the country’s challenging situation caused by globalisation and various domestic problems. Several policies have already been introduced and in particular the government has started encouraging students to study abroad with scholarship in 2014. Although the Governmental Committee defined the term in 2010, Global Jinzai is still new and has contested opinions in society, as there are only few visible and successful examples of Global Jinzai in the public sphere. Furthermore, little research has been done to establish a connection between the educational outcome of studying abroad and Global Jinzai.
This study aimed to explore how Japanese former study abroad students perceive this experience and its career impact as a potential Global Jinzai. It employed semi-structured interviews as an exploratory method to understand what has been happening to two groups: professionals who studied in the UK between 2002 and 2004, undergraduate students who studied in the UK between 2013 and 2014. By investigating what they think they learnt during their studies abroad, how it affected or will affect their careers, how they perceive the competency of Global Jinzai, and if they identify themselves as Global Jinzai, this research explores the long term positive educational effect of study abroad and if it is beneficial in fostering Global Jinzai.
The results show that their study abroad has positive educational and career effects, especially on intercultural competency, English ability, tough independence, and academic skills and motivation. In comparison with the Global Jinzai definition in 2010, many of their perceptions were found to be similar. Although some of their perceptions of Global Jinzai differed according to their career histories, thematic analysis suggests that it is alike to their own career objectives and they are currently on the path to such careers.