Gaining Experience in a Global Workplace: Immersing in Thai Culture and Business with the ASEAN Internship Experience (AIP)
The ASEAN Internship Programme (AIP) offers SMU students the opportunity to expand their professional and cultural horizons beyond Singapore. Through AIP, Beverline Goh and Low Wei En interned in Bangkok, where they gained firsthand experience in their respective fields and honed their intercultural skills. Outside of work, they immersed themselves in Thai culture, exploring the city and its surroundings.
For SMU students Beverline Goh and Low Wei En, the ASEAN Internship Programme (AIP) provided an invaluable opportunity to broaden their professional and cultural horizons beyond Singapore. Both students embarked on internships in Bangkok, where they gained firsthand experience in their respective fields, while navigating Thailand’s unique cultural landscape.
Hands-on experience in the digital marketing industry at Paper & Page and Marketyze
Beverline, an SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business student, interned at Paper & Page, a digital marketing agency in Bangkok. There, she worked on SEO content creation and campaign analysis, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the digital marketing industry.
This internship aligned perfectly with her aspirations of working in a dynamic international environment. She also had the opportunity to experience Thai workplace culture, where the values of sanuk (fun) and sabaai (relaxation) are integral. She learnt how fostering a harmonious, enjoyable work atmosphere can lead to higher employee satisfaction and productivity.
Meanwhile, Wei En, an Information Systems student from the SMU School of Computing and Information Systems, took on the role of a Business Process Automation Intern at digital marketing company Marketyze. Initially, Wei En had reservations about interning in Bangkok, particularly regarding differences between the IT industries in Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries. However, the support from both SMU and Marketyze gave him the confidence to take on the opportunity.
At Marketyze, Wei En was responsible for improving data management systems and creating visualisations for reports. As his role expanded, so did his technical skills, giving him a deeper understanding of how data and technology can improve business outcomes.
Exploring Bangkok and beyond
Beyond the office, both students embraced the opportunity to explore Thailand. Beverline spent her weekends visiting temples and exploring the outskirts of Bangkok, immersing herself in local culture and enjoying moments of tranquillity away from the city’s hustle. She also bonded with colleagues over lunch, explored local cafés, and attended concerts, fully experiencing Bangkok’s vibrant entertainment scene.
Initially hesitant to venture beyond his immediate surroundings due to the short duration of his internship and his more reserved nature, Wei En was encouraged by his colleagues to step out of his comfort zone. He participated in activities such as Muay Thai and bouldering, which helped him relax and strengthen his bonds with the team. Over time, Wei En grew more open to embracing the balance between work and leisure – a concept he believes Singaporeans could learn from their Thai counterparts.
An avenue for personal and professional growth
Both Beverline and Wei En emerged from their internships with a deeper understanding of Thailand’s culture and business environment.
For Beverline, the experience reinforced the importance of work-life balance, cultural sensitivity, and relationship-building in international marketing. She believes the skills she gained will greatly benefit her future career.
“Interning at Paper & Page in Bangkok was an invaluable experience. The agency’s innovative approach to digital marketing allowed me to collaborate with a talented team on diverse projects, enhancing my skills in SEO, content creation, and campaign performance analysis.
“This internship not only honed my professional skills, but also gave me a deeper understanding of the Thai business environment and culture, for which I am deeply thankful.”
Wei En’s also experienced significant professional growth during his internship. Initially focused on data management, he quickly expanded his role at Marketyze, taking on more complex projects including fixing dashboards and contributing to the launch of a new service for the company.
He credits the supportive and collaborative environment at Marketyze for fostering his self-motivation and helping him deliver impactful results.
“Through the AIP, I was given the opportunity to embrace challenges and face uncertainty head-on, while collaborating with my supportive colleagues.
“Joining Marketyze was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The environment was filled with like-minded, caring people, and I was given the opportunity to learn as much as I wanted, delivering results that matched my ambitions. To me, this is what an internship should be about.”
Ready to take the leap beyond Singapore?
The ASEAN Internship Programme (AIP) offers SMU students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures while gaining professional insights across the ASEAN region. This overseas internship not only fulfils two crucial graduation requirements – global exposure and internship – but also paves the way for personal and career growth.
Interested in learning more about AIP? Explore available internships here today and take the first step toward an exciting and transformative experience!
