I first came to Japan over five years ago while living in Seoul. I was visiting a friend in Kyoto and was amazed by the culture, beauty and tradition steeped in the city, as well as the amazing quality of food and emphasis on service. After visiting Kyoto, I made it a professional goal to work in Japan.

“People or guests may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” This has always inspired me to work in the hospitality industry, knowing that I could make the difference in a guest’s stay. Especially now, people are looking more and more for unique and rare experiences, and as hoteliers we have the opportunity to create truly memorable visits.

One of my proudest achievements was attaining my first-class honors degree in hospitality management back in the U.K. Through a lot of hard work and support, I was able to excel in my degree, and achieve the honor of being top of my class, which has helped me form a good base for my career.

Currently, my Japanese is at a basic level, so I am trying to improve my ability to better communicate with my associates and partner. In terms of life goals, I want to experience and build my understanding of different cultures to help develop myself as a whole.

Travel! Japan has so many beautiful places to visit. Within even one hour of Tokyo, you can find local places that are very affordable. Japan has so much heritage, culture and natural beauty — don’t miss the opportunity to visit and try local delicacies. Some of my best memories from Japan have been traveling around the country and discovering new regions.