What happens when you take up an internship beyond the comforts of home? For three SMU students, the ASEAN Internship Programme (AIP) offered lessons that reshaped their career aspirations. Across Bali, Jakarta, and Lombok, each city/region in Indonesia revealed its own character, challenges, and lessons, shaping a summer of growth for them.

Beyond the tourist lens: Lessons about sustainability and impact in Bali

For Fauzan Aziem from the SMU School of Economics (SOE), interning at sustainability company su-re.co revealed a different side of Bali. He was struck by the contrasts of the island: luxury restaurants next to $2 warungs (street food stalls), with tourists enjoying the island’s offerings while locals contend with limited opportunities. 
 

Yet what kept him grounded was the impact-driven work culture. “I’ve done so much meaningful work during this internship,” he says, reflecting on the ownership he had in projects and the community spirit of his small team.
 

Bali became more than a holiday destination for Fauzan — it was a classroom of cultural complexity and a reminder of why sustainability matters.

Finding balance and belonging in Jakarta

Through the AIP in Jakarta, Koh Xin Yin Dawn from the SMU School of Social Sciences (SOSS) found a second home in the bustling city. 
 

With limited knowledge of the local language, Dawn was initially anxious about living and working in an unfamiliar city and feared she might be lonely. Instead, she found warmth and community at STORE2GO, an e-commerce enabler agency.
 

“I was greeted with smiles and laughter on my first day. Over time, we exchanged cultural norms, and I got to improve my Bahasa Indonesia,” she recalls.
 

Jakarta taught her about balance — something she hadn’t expected from a bustling capital. “Unlike Singapore’s hustle culture, I was surprised by the Indonesian culture — how the locals strike a good work-life balance.”
 

Simple meals after work and evening jogs with colleagues became cherished memories of a city that showed her how to work hard and live fully.

Building adaptability and resilience in Lombok

Drawn by a passion for climate action and marine conservation, Lim Shu Sen, Joel from the SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) chose to embark on an internship with Indonesia Biru Foundation in Lombok.
 

His role combined underwater work — diving to restore coral reefs and identify fish species — with responsibilities in partnership and outreach. 
 

What surprised him the most was the trust and mentorship he received. “My teammates, who are trained marine biologists, embraced the coral and fish ID workshops I led, and generously guided me along the way,” he shares.
 

Residing on a quieter side of the island also tested his independence. “Living away from urban comforts has toughened me up — I’m less fazed by injuries, insects, and solitude,” Joel reflects. 
 

For him, Lombok wasn’t just a place to work — it was a training ground for resilience and adaptability, providing clarity about a future in sustainability.