Tomoyo Fujiwara

Name: Tomoyo Fujiwara
Age: 32
Born: Tokyo
Lived in Scotland: 7 years

Lots of people dream about starting a new life in a favourite holiday destination. Tomoyo Fujiwara made the dream a reality.

"I came to Scotland the first time with my mum, just as a Japanese tourist. I fell in love with it so much that I came back here to go to university," Tomoyo explains.

"It's compulsory to learn English at high school in Japan but my teacher couldn’t actually speak English! We just translated words, so I didn’t know how to communicate or pronounce anything."

Despite this, Tomoyo didn’t think twice about moving to Scotland.

Welcoming

"I came by myself, which was a big jump, but I was quite clear about my decision and I’ve never had any problems.

"In fact, it’s been much better than I thought. I thought there would be some discrimination but Scottish people seem to accept all different people."

Tomoyo's Japanese qualifications weren’t recognised by UK employers, so she applied for a place at university in Edinburgh and went straight into second year.

"Studying here was a really good thing. I went on a work placement in Fife as part of my course and that lead to a job after I graduated. I had the best time there."

Working in the NHS

"I’ve been with the NHS for three years now and I’ve been working at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow since March."

Working in Scotland has turned out to be quite different to working in Japan.

"In Japan the boss is the big person. You have to do what the boss says. Here, if you disagree with a decision, you can discuss things. You’re expected to have an opinion, to think about why you’re doing this or that."

Tomoyo laughs: "That was a struggle for me at first but I’m used to it now."

Work life balance

"The other good thing is that here I finish at 5pm and I’m home by 5.30. In Japan, you’re lucky if you finish by eight o’clock. You just don’t have a social life – you work, eat and sleep.

"Here I can exercise, go to the cinema after work. I enjoy running and skiing…any excuse to get into the Highlands. In fact, I’m running in the Edinburgh Marathon for the third time this year."

Tomoyo may well be benefiting from the improved work-life balance in Scotland but it’s not a one-way street. Her Scottish patients are benefiting from the Japanese approach to diet and nutrition.

Healthy lifestyle

"I’m keen to do anything to help promote healthy eating in Scotland.

"Back home, all children learn about nutrition at school. We do home economics from the age of six. Here, people can grow up not knowing why it’s important for them to eat fruit and vegetables.

"I go back to Japan at least once a year but I’m 50/50 about going back for good.

"I've been away a long time. Things change. Many of my friends have children. I’m really happy here and I can see myself staying forever."

Insider Info:

Tomoyo says: "Edinburgh is still my favourite place in Scotland. It’s so impressive, great shopping, amazing history – and it’s not too big, so you see the whole city on foot."