what it was like interning overseas 🌍
during winter break, I went to Vietnam to intern at a lifestyle app company called WisePass. 💜 they worked with bars to sponsor alcohol and give members a discount!
hence, I went to bars almost every night and my friends kept wondering WHY IS LEENA BECOMING AN ALCOHOLIC. But no it was my job haha. 🍷
More importantly, everyone was asking me WHY I WAS EVEN IN VIETNAM 🇻🇳 AND HOW DID I GET THIS INTERNSHIP.
So let me break it down for ya and y’all can go become ✨globalised citizens ✨ too!
I signed up through my school email in university. There’s actually plenty of opportunities but people don’t seem to read their emails lol. In NTU, there’s a whole Career Office to help you with that. For me, there was a third party organisation that helped linked students all over the world with internships and that’s what I signed up for and met friends from other countries as well interning in HCMC. I interned with 2 lovely Māori girls and lived with 2 lovely Australians. #internationalfriendshitdifferent
I got to plan my own weekend trips out of the city to explore lovely places like Da Lát and MuiNe and do loads of 🛍️ haha but more importantly, I had the time to slow down and meet the people I lived with.
Some of the most important things I learnt was
1. To rest and recoup. Meeting new people everyday is exhilarating but exhausting as well. By the second week, all I wanted to do was hide in my room and watch Netflix. A tip from me will be not to plan a trip every weekend! Space them out and remember to rest. 👯♀️
2. You will miss familiarity. Sometimes you will feel alone. Instead of just binge watching shows, I tried my best to continue doing my hobbies in Vietnam like photography and crocheting! That helped me feel productive while still being in my comfort zone sometimes. 🧶
Let me know if you want to know more about my experience!
Interning overseas presents an array of experiences that can change your life perspective. During my internship with WisePass in Vietnam, I quickly learned how to navigate cultural differences while immersing myself in a vibrant city. Whether it's bar hopping or exploring hidden gems like Da Lát and MuiNe, every moment offered learning opportunities. One of the first lessons I encountered was the importance of balancing work and rest. Interning often comes with a demanding schedule, and it can be tempting to fill your weekends with trips. However, it's crucial to give yourself time to recharge. I found solace in personal hobbies like photography and crocheting, which allowed me to sustain my creativity while remaining calm in a foreign environment. The process of finding an internship doesn't have to be daunting. Many universities, like NTU, provide career offices that connect students with global opportunities. I signed up through a third-party organization, which was pivotal in ensuring that I found an internship that suited my interests and skill set. Additionally, connecting with friends from around the world enriched my experience immensely, highlighting the power of networking in today’s globalized society. So if you're considering an internship abroad, embrace the adventure and stay open to learning from every encounter, because the journey itself can be as rewarding as any new skill acquired!
See more comments