Learning beyond borders: How Japan Study Abroad trip reshaped two Guelph-Humber students’ understanding of women entrepreneurs and culture

Being at an age where I'm still finding myself, still shaping my aspirations, this experience helped me reflect on who I am and who I want to become, both personally and professionally." — Krystal Zarifa, Business Administration student.

A trip overseas with the University of Guelph-Humber's Study Abroad program gave a pair of students an eye-opening educational experience about women in business in Japan, alongside their classmates.

This Global Learning opportunity taken in 2025 gave Business Administration student Krystal Zarifa and Early Childhood Studies (ECS) graduate Jasmin Benjamin first-hand insights about how female entrepreneurship is reshaping traditional societal norms, while exploring three Japanese cities on an enriching, immersive cultural adventure: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nagoya. 

“The basis of exploring women empowerment in Japanese business is education and understanding… Education is the bridge between cultures, especially within international business, where you need to be educated on the other person's perspective,” Zarifa said, who noted cultural differences between Japanese people and herself as a Canadian of Middle Eastern descent. As an aspiring business professional, she noted the importance of understanding cultural differences when conducting business to ensure smooth communication among everyone involved. 

She and Benjamin visited several female-owned and -operated businesses, notably one called Glänta, a custom ring and handmade jewellery company. During this trip, they examined the evolving role of women in Japanese business, grasping an understanding about the hurdles women face. They analyzed gender inequality in leadership, cultural stereotypes, and systemic barriers women face, like the wage gap and work-life imbalance. This was the focus of their major assignment for this study abroad course.

“It was amazing to observe the significant impact of the Study Abroad trip to Japan on student learning and development. Jasmin and Krystal's insights and initiative truly embody the spirit of global learning and leadership we strive to cultivate,” Business Administration Associate Head Dr. Farkhanda Shamim said, who taught this course. 

And each of these students approached their exploration from the unique lens of their respective programs.

For Zarifa, this was meaningful because she wants to gain a multifaceted understanding of international business norms, and as a woman studying business herself, wants to find ways to uplift and empower other female entrepreneurs.

And for Benjamin, her insights were shaped by her early childhood and education perspectives, specifically about teaching and learning.

“Every international experience that I've been on, I've always tried to bring back different teachings or practices from that specific region back to Canada and implement it into the learning environment. Sometimes it's toys, sometimes it's teaching resources for educators, songs, books, authentic fabrics or instruments, anything like that,” Benjamin said, who has taken multiple study abroad courses through Guelph-Humber. 

Moreover, she wrote a raw and inspirational poem called “Hidden Wisdom.” The poem is about her personal and professional growth during this trip, and how stepping outside her comfort zone and into a completely different culture allowed her to realign her goals as an educator and a lifelong learner, as she discovered a sense of renewed purpose.

Some profound lines from her poem read: “Learning to climb the highest mountain in Japan, that is subjective. Yet, appreciation of the journey is the ultimate objective… For adversity builds wisdom and uncovers the true nature of the heart.”

Dr. Shamim said she was proud of all the students, including Zarifa and Benjamin, and added, “I was impressed by Jasmin’s ability to thoughtfully connect her cultural experiences in Japan to early childhood education in Canada. She reflected deeply on how Japanese principles can support the four foundations of learning – belonging, expression, engagement, and well-being – and how educators can create environments that nurture lifelong curiosity and resilience in young children.”

Exploring Japan also provided the students with an expanded worldview.

“It taught me the importance of independence, cultural humility, and seeing the world through different perspectives,” Zarifa said. 

After returning from this unforgettable trip, Zarifa and Benjamin delivered a guest lecture at Humber Polytechnic, sharing the lessons they learned in Japan with other students.  

“Being at an age where I'm still finding myself, still shaping my aspirations, this experience helped me reflect on who I am and who I want to become, both personally and professionally,” Zarifa said.

Read more about upcoming global learning opportunities at Guelph-Humber here.