ASEAN Internship Programme (AIP) in Thailand: Learning Through Work and Community
For SMU undergraduates Shannon Yip and Sock Teng, a summer in Thailand offered lessons in adaptability. From non-profit work in rural Chiang Mai to corporate HR in Bangkok, both took on new intern roles and came away with a clearer sense of how they hope to approach their careers.
What does it take to pack your bags and spend a summer working in an unfamiliar country?
For the SMU School of Social Sciences (SOSS) students, Shannon Yip and Sock Teng, it meant embracing the unknown. Through the ASEAN Internship Programme (AIP), both students spent the summer working in settings that were unfamiliar to them. While Shannon immersed herself in non-profit work in the mountains of Chiang Mai, Sock Teng was busy navigating corporate life in the heart of Bangkok. Although their working environments differed, both walked away with the same takeaway: real growth begins when you learn to connect across cultures.
Showing Up for Others in Chiang Mai
Drawn to the non-profit sector, Shannon took up an AIP placement secured through SMU’s Dato’ Kho Hui Meng Career Centre. In rural Chiang Mai, she became the first-ever intern at Care Corner Orphanage Foundation (CCOF). Her responsibilities included running classes, handling media, and being a daily caregiver for the children.
Among her many memories, one home visit in the mountains stayed with her. CCOF was assessing whether to offer two young brothers a place at CCOF, which would mean living away from their family during the school term. Sensing their nervousness, Shannon tried to put them at ease by playing simple games of rock-paper-scissors and sketching tic-tac-toe directly onto the dirt.
When the elder boy began to relax and smile, Shannon saw it as a small but meaningful sign of progress. "That moment reminded me that progress isn't always about grand gestures," Shannon reflects. "Sometimes, the smallest acts leave the deepest impression."
Over the course of 34 remedial lessons, Shannon saw the children gradually become more engaged in learning. Her role, however, extended beyond teaching. When two older girls from CCOF were involved in a motorcycle accident on their way to school, the incident deepened her understanding of the responsibility that came with being a consistent presence in the children’s lives. In Shannon’s words: "Loving and caring for someone isn't just about celebrating the good days - it’s about riding out the tough moments alongside them."
Fostering Connection and Culture in Bangkok
Over in bustling Bangkok, Sock Teng joined the corporate environment as one of the first international HR interns at Thai Asia Pacific (TAP) HQ. Having already been on student exchanges in Seoul, France, and Hanoi, she saw the internship as a fitting way to round off her university experience and gain regional work experience before starting her career.
At TAP, her responsibilities included analysing AI adoption, working with sales and headcount data, and developing an all-in-one Manager Toolkit—projects that directly supported business operations. Yet, some of the more rewarding moments happened outside the spreadsheets, when she ran conversational English sessions for her Thai colleagues.
"Teaching colleagues from a different background helped me better understand Thai culture and even politics through our chats," Sock Teng shares. "Seeing them grow more confident and hearing that they genuinely enjoyed my practical teaching style was incredibly fulfilling."
When the workday ended, Sock Teng also made time to experience life in Bangkok and step out of her comfort zone. She sparred at a local boxing gym, tried new street food, and went on weekend road trips with fellow SMU interns, forming genuine friendships along the way.
Lessons to Take Forward
Back in Singapore, Shannon and Sock Teng felt more confident about finding their footing in unfamiliar environments.
Living and working in Chiang Mai taught Shannon that people can still connect meaningfully, even when they do not speak the same language fluently. "Relationships can be built in so many ways beyond language," she notes. Her biggest takeaway? "Be comfortable with not knowing. Ask questions and don’t be afraid of making mistakes along the way - that’s really how you grow."
Living and working in Chiang Mai taught Shannon that people can still connect meaningfully, even when they cannot communicate fluently in the same language. “Relationships can be built in so many ways beyond language,” she notes. Her biggest takeaway? “Be comfortable with not knowing. Ask questions and don’t be afraid of making mistakes along the way - that’s really how you grow.”
Sock Teng similarly encourages other students to remain open to unfamiliar experiences: "Say 'yes' to opportunities outside the office—whether it’s trying a new sport, tasting unfamiliar food, or traveling somewhere new. It’s when you step outside your comfort zone that an overseas internship becomes truly unforgettable."
Discover the ASEAN Internship Programme (AIP)
The ASEAN Internship Programme (AIP), gave Shannon and Sock Teng the opportunity to work in Thailand while learning to navigate unfamiliar settings and connect with those around them. Although their internships unfolded differently, both returned to Singapore more confident about finding their footing in new environments.
Find out more about the ASEAN Internship Programme Opportunities available to SMU students.
