[473 Interview] From Buddhist Studies to the Tesla:

   Ji Hwan-bi, a 2016 entrant of Dongguk University’s Department of Buddhist Studies, has built a distinctive and inspiring path that bridges the humanities with global industry. From her undergraduate studies and an exchange program in the Netherlands to her experiences living abroad, she has explored how scholarly learning can inform personal growth and professional development. Her story is one of bold transitions from studying Buddhist philosophy to building a career in data science and finding her place at Tesla in the Netherlands. The Dongguk Post explores how her diverse academic background and international mindset laid the foundation for her personal growth and professional achievements.

Q: Please introduce yourself briefly. 

   Hello, my name is Ji Hwan-bi, and I am a 2016 entrant of Dongguk University’s Department of Buddhist Studies. I currently live in Tilburg, the Netherlands, and work at Tesla.

Q: What was your motivation for enrolling in the Department of Buddhist Studies at Dongguk University? 

   I was born and raised in a Buddhist household, so Buddhism has always been a natural part of my life. I felt that Buddhism offered not just a religious belief but also wisdom and practical teachings for life, and I wanted to study it more deeply from an academic perspective. I was also presented with an excellent opportunity for a scholarship, which led me to the Department of Buddhist Studies.

Q: Could you share any particularly memorable experience as a student in the Department of Buddhist Studies?

   The Department of Buddhist Studies is a relatively small department, so the relationships between students were very close-knit. It felt like an intimate community, and I was very satisfied with my university life, studying and participating in activities together. We were exposed to various subjects, including Buddhist theory, practice, culture, and history. The most memorable course was “Administration of Religious Affairs” taught by Professor Cho Ki-ryong. I found this class particularly engaging because it showed how Buddhist principles are applied in real-life temple management, giving me practical insights beyond theory.

Q: Why did you participate in an exchange program to the Netherlands?

   I was double majoring in Media and Communication, and one of the partner schools available for exchange was in the Netherlands. I had a strong desire to gain new academic and cultural experiences by interacting with students from different countries. When this great opportunity presented itself, I decided to take it and join the exchange program in the Netherlands.

Q: What were the most memorable aspects of academics or cultural differences as an exchange student in the Netherlands?

   My time as an exchange student was one of the most enjoyable and meaningful experiences of my life. Being with other Dongguk University students was a great source of support, and I had a lot of fun interacting with local students. Academically, the host university emphasized practical, hands-on education, so it was fun to work on projects connected with actual companies. Unlike in Korea, where grades are largely based on exams, here assessment focused more on practical work and group projects, which I found to be the biggest difference. Culturally, the Netherlands’ highly developed cycling culture was unique. I went everywhere by bike. I was also deeply impressed by the multicultural society where various races and cultures live in harmony.

Q: What efforts did you make to improve your English in order to live, study, and work in the Netherlands?

   Extensive exposure to English helped me overcome my fear of speaking. I attended elementary school in India for about three years, which made me comfortable with English. However, studying in Korea later limited my practice with native speakers, revealing the importance of real-life language exposure. To improve, I watched various English media without subtitles to get used to different accents.

Q: How did your overseas experience help you grow, and how has it influenced your career?

   Ultimately, my positive experiences as an exchange student inspired me to pursue life abroad. At the end of 2019, I came to Tilburg again for a working holiday. However, the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide while I was there, and I was only able to complete about three months of my stay. This left me with a sense of regret about not being able to fully experience life abroad. So, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in the Netherlands, which eventually and naturally led to employment in the country.

Q: Why did you decide to pursue a master’s degree in Data Science, even though your undergraduate major is not related to this field?

   I decided to make a bold shift away from my undergraduate major after spending a semester in the Netherlands as an exchange student. Experiencing their academic system made me realize that the Data Science field had strong prospects. The university I attended in Tilburg was particularly renowned in the social sciences, and I was constantly exposed to terms like big data and data analysis. I thought that if I worked hard, I could earn a master’s degree in a year. So I graduated and enrolled in a master’s program. 

   This exposure convinced me that data analysis would become increasingly important in the future. My specific focus was big data analytics, which involves planning new initiatives by leveraging large volumes of data. I believed this specialization had promising career prospects.

Q: How has your Data Science master’s helped you in your career?

   Data Science, as the name suggests, involves scientifically analyzing large amounts of data. It is about predicting the future based on past data. It is very useful in practical fields like logistics, management, and planning. The main focus of my studies was learning how to utilize data and extract valuable insights from it. These experiences have been very helpful in solving problems and making decisions in real work situations.

Q: Why did you choose to work at Tesla in the Netherlands?

   Korean companies have many Korean employees and maintain traditional corporate cultures such as company dinners and strict hierarchical relationships. Because of this, I was looking for a company with a more flexible and open culture. Fortunately, Tesla is located near Tilburg, where I studied, so I also wanted to work in a familiar environment. Ultimately, compared to my previous salary and working conditions, Tesla offered a better compensation package and work environment. After I proposed the terms that matched my expectations, Tesla approved them, allowing me to join under the conditions I desired.

Q: What steps did you go through during the Tesla recruitment process?

   Since there is no formal entrance exam system here, I did not join Tesla right away. I first completed an internship at a cosmetics logistics company. This experience was later recognized when I joined the local subsidiary of Hyundai Glovis. While working there, I gained valuable professional experience, which allowed me to apply to companies offering better conditions. After going through the interview process, I eventually joined Tesla.

   It was not only directly applying what I learned that helped me get hired at Tesla, but rather the work experience I gained at another company where I developed the ability to apply and adapt that knowledge that played a bigger role.

Q: What is your current role at Tesla, and what do you do at Tesla?

   I am currently working at Tesla as an EMEA Service Remanufacturing Production Planner. I leveraged my background in Data Science to apply for a role related to demand forecasting. I coordinate schedules for product manufacturing and repairs, set performance goals, and communicate them to the field teams while managing the overall process. Because repair status, warehouse conditions, and logistics movements are all linked through a global schedule, I do not only focus on my own tasks but create plans that align with other related activities.

   Additionally, I handle producing our branch’s newsletter. Although it is a hassle, I find it rewarding to share news and keep everyone informed.

Q: What was the most difficult challenge you faced during the job application process at Tesla?

   The most difficult part was enduring the lengthy hiring process. The entire interview process (from the first interview to the final one) took about four months, and the most challenging part was managing my patience and overcoming anxiety.

Q: What do you find to be the pros and cons of working at Tesla?

   One of the best things about working at Tesla is the relatively high annual salary. However, since my direct manager is based at the U.S. headquarters, I sometimes have to attend meetings after working hours due to the time difference. In Europe, employees take vacations quite freely, so I must also consider producers’ schedules and other factors. This requires frequent meetings with our U.S. headquarters. However, the flexibility to adjust my working hours makes up for that.

Q: Do you have any advice for those who are considering working abroad?

   Do not hesitate—go for it! The issues you worry about now might not resolve themselves later, so seize the opportunity and move forward without regrets.