This summer, the mymizu team was excited to welcome Eva, an intern from the U.S., who joined our tech team! Eva worked on the mymizu app, contributing to research, design, and app development. Here, she shares her experience of learning new skills—like mobile app development—and exploring Japan for the first time.

Interview with Eva

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? (Your background, where you're from, what you're studying, and any hobbies or interests.)

I'm a rising senior at Indiana University in Bloomington, where I grew up. I'm majoring in Informatics with a focus in Human-Centered Computing, and I am also minoring in Japanese language and culture. I am passionate about integrating technology into everyday life in order to improve access to healthcare and sustainability. Alongside my studies, I work part-time as a waitress at a local restaurant called Samira. Outside of work and school, I lead the book club Classics Community at IU, where we explore diverse literary voices, including writers from various cultural backgrounds and LGBTQ+ authors. In my free time, I love exploring nature through hiking and kayaking, as well as spending time with my friends.

Internship Experience

What initially drew you to intern with mymizu?

Working alongside mymizu CTO Lawrie in Tokyo!

My initial interview with Lawrie really opened my eyes to mymizu's mission and values. I found myself inspired by their commitment to sustainability and reducing single-use plastic waste, especially as there is such a large consumption of plastics in Japan due to the abundance of vending machines and convenience stores. As someone passionate about using technology to drive positive change, I was excited by the opportunity to use the skills I have learned in college for a cause I really care about. Additionally, the opportunity to work on the app's design was very appealing to me. I was intrigued by the blend of creativity and technical problem-solving that comes with app development, and I saw this internship as a chance to both strengthen my coding skills and contribute to a meaningful project that aligns with my values.

What specific projects or tasks have you been working on during your internship?

A prototype of the feedback mechanism Eva worked on during her internship

Throughout my internship, I focused on a few key projects that were both challenging and rewarding. During my first couple of weeks, I took it upon myself to gather and analyze user feedback to identify areas where the app could be improved. Based on this feedback, as well as ideas from mymizu team members, I designed the interface for the app's feedback feature, iterating on it over a few weeks to ensure that it was user-friendly and aligned with the overall design aesthetic. Finally, I worked on implementing this feature into the app's code using React Native, which allowed me to blend my design work with hands-on coding experience.

Can you describe any particular challenges you faced and how you overcame them? I understand you had no experience with mobile app development before you arrived, for example!

Coming into this internship, I had some experience with web development and mobile app prototyping from my college projects, but I had never developed code for a mobile app. While React Native shares some similarities with CSS, many small differences caused challenges for me when adapting my web development knowledge to mobile app development. It was very helpful to work alongside Lawrie, who was able to provide guidance and help me when I was stuck. I also got more comfortable following tutorials and finding solutions independently, which helped improve my troubleshooting skills.

Is there a specific moment or experience with the team that stands out to you?

I think I really benefited from the team meetings in which I was able to share my work in progress and receive real-time feedback. It was super interesting to be able to consider several different people's ideas and figure out how they could be implemented into my designs, and it was definitely helpful to receive suggestions on areas I was struggling with. The prevalent sense of teamwork and shared purpose within the organization made these meetings a highlight of my experience.

How was your experience coming to Japan for the first time? Did anything surprise you (especially from a sustainability perspective!)?

Coming to Japan was a lot of fun, though sometimes I found myself a bit overwhelmed by how busy everything always was. I got homesick at some points, but Lawrie and the team were very supportive, and I am grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in another culture and an environment that is completely different to what I am used to.

From a sustainability perspective, I was surprised by the sheer quantity of vending machines and convenience stores throughout the city. In my Japanese courses, we have had units focused on these elements, but seeing them in person was still a bit shocking. This experience highlighted the importance of organizations such as mymizu, and their efforts to promote more sustainable habits when plastic bottles are the norm.

Personal Growth

What skills or knowledge have you gained or improved upon during your internship?

During my internship at mymizu, I have significantly expanded my technical skills in mobile app development. Through hands-on coding and troubleshooting, I gained a deeper understanding of how to translate design concepts into functional features within a mobile app. Additionally, I've improved my ability to ask the right questions when I'm facing challenges and to actively seek out feedback on my work. Not only have I grown as a developer, but I have also garnered a more collaborative and iterative attitude around problem-solving.

Future Aspirations

Has this internship influenced your future career goals or aspirations? If so, how?

Working with mymizu has reinforced my desire to pursue a career where I can use technology to drive positive social change. The experience of working on an app with a clear sustainability mission has really highlighted for me the impact that design and technology can have on global issues. Furthermore, this experience has shown me how simple and small changes can have significant outcomes. Moving forward, I hope to maintain my connection with mymizu and to explore other roles that align with my values and allow me to contribute to meaningful projects that benefit society and our planet.

Final Thoughts

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience with mymizu?

I found working with mymizu to be very rewarding. Besides technical skills, this internship has given me a deeper appreciation for the importance of community and collaboration in tackling global issues. I'm leaving this experience with both a stronger skillset and a renewed commitment to using my technological skills for good.

A closing note from mymizu co-founder Mariko

It was inspiring to witness Eva join our team this summer and leverage her fast-developing technical skills to enhance the mymizu platform and expand our impact. As a mission-driven organization that harnesses the power of technology and community to drive systemic change, we are fortunate to have team members and contributors like Eva who contribute to building a product that anyone, anywhere in the world can engage with to make a difference. And as a student still, it was wonderful to see Eva progress from identifying challenges to conducting research, gathering feedback on design concepts, and then—despite having little mobile app development experience—actually implementing some of those designs.

Thank you Eva for all your hard work! From the whole mymizu team!! 🐳

mymizu Internship Interview Blog: Spotlight on Eva