Language is a powerful tool that shapes society and the ever-evolving world of today. It can open doors, bridge cultures and transcend barriers. For Shion Britten, the ability to speak multiple languages has led to amazing experiences and opportunities — including a five-month internship abroad.
Shion, a third-year honors electrical and computer engineering student, recently returned from an internship with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation in Kawasaki, Japan. “I’m half American and half Japanese, so growing up, I was raised bilingual. I attended Japanese school on the weekends until I was a senior in high school, so it was a big part of my life,” he explains.
At Oregon State University, Shion continues to practice his fluency and engage with his cultural roots through leadership roles in the Japanese Language Club. “It allows me to continue developing my skills while staying connected to the culture,” he says.
Before arriving at OSU, Shion attended Southridge High School in Beaverton, Oregon, where his interest in electrical and computer engineering was sparked by his physics classes. He also pursued baseball, which taught him teamwork and dedication — values that have carried into his academic and professional life.
Shion’s love of baseball came full circle during his time in Japan. “I went to a couple of live baseball games in Japan with my family,” he says. “There’s a big baseball culture there, so that was nice to experience.” These outings were part of how Shion embraced the balance of work and leisure during his internship. While staying with family members around Tokyo, he spent his “weekdays immersed in work” and his weekends “reconnecting with relatives and enjoying cultural experiences.”
As a college student now, Shion enjoys taking challenging and invigorating math and science classes. He “particularly enjoyed the matrix algebra and series 254 and 255 with David Wing.” Reflecting on his experience in the Honors College, he says that honors classes have positively impacted his educational journey. “I met fellow honors engineering students during my first year. As a class we had similar academic goals, which made it easier to connect and form friendships early on.”
At Mitsubishi Fuso, Shion’s work “mainly consisted of technical knowledge specific to automobiles and industries,” he says. “I also worked on validation testing on robotics found in vehicle functions — for example, garbage truck lids.”
Aside from classes, Shion enjoys not only reading the Monday Message but also contributing to it as a student writer. Each week, he helps put together the weekly update for the Honors College, and he has also written articles for the college, activities that reflect his interest and commitment to giving back to the honors community.
Immersed in a cosmopolitan and diverse work setting during his internship, Shion’s bilingual abilities proved to be a significant asset. "The German parent company, Daimler trucks, brought in a lot of German and foreign employees, so I wasn’t conversing in Japanese all the time. I found myself sometimes translating between languages during meetings,” he recalls. “It was nice to have the advantage of knowing both Japanese and English during my time there.”
The internship also helped him clarify his career goals. While he is open to working with automobiles, Shion envisions a broader path in fields like medical technologies or innovations that improve daily life. “I’d like to work in a field that contributes positively to society,” he says. “If given the opportunity, I can see myself working in Japan one day.”
He hopes to explore the topic of applied magnetics research and computing for his honors thesis, explaining that his time abroad gave him “a deeper understanding of the field of automobiles,” and equipped him “with skills that I can now apply to other areas of research, like my thesis.”
Shion is focused on making the most of his remaining time at OSU. “Working abroad helped me reflect on the opportunities that I’ll miss after graduating — like undergraduate research, taking colloquia classes or studying with friends,” he says. “While things may seem challenging now, I know that I will look back fondly on all of it. I’m very appreciative of the opportunities available to me at OSU and within the Honors College.”
For students interested in pursuing similar opportunities, Shion recommends looking at the Office of Global Opportunities and the people around you. "Take advantage of school resources, especially within your college,” he advises, “talk to people who have gotten prior internships!”
By Mandy Eng, HC Student Writer