After 5 years in tech, I wanted something new. An internship on a tea farm in Japan was the wake-up call I needed.

Cherie Luo

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cherie Luo, a content creator and entrepreneur. Luo spent 5 years working in tech in Silicon Valley. She graduated from Stanford Graduate School of Business in June. Business Insider has verified her employment and education history. The following has been edited for length and clarity.