From Singapore to Sweden: SMU Student’s Journey in Sustainability, Innovation, and Growth
SMU Business student Claire Soh made history as the first participant of the Global Innovation Immersion (GII) programme to intern in Sweden. This opportunity arose when PlasticFri, the startup she interned with, was selected as a finalist in the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition, organised by the SMU Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Claire shares how this internship helped her grow professionally, embrace independence, and become more receptive to working abroad.
I have always wanted to gain a global experience as part of my university journey, so it felt like a natural fit to sign up for the Global Innovation Immersion (GII). This unique initiative places interns in high-growth startups, venture capital firms, incubators, and accelerators across the globe.
I chose to intern at PlasticFri (pronounced “Plastic Free”) in Stockholm, Sweden. Their mission of developing sustainable, compostable products perfectly aligned with my values, and the role in business development and strategy played to my strengths. Additionally, the opportunity to explore the Scandinavian region and immerse myself in Swedish culture was irresistible.
A global internship experience full of professional and personal growth
PlasticFri is a greentech firm that transforms agricultural waste, wood fibers, and non-edible plants into eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bags and paper cups. These products are compostable, leaving no microplastics behind, and do not compete with the food supply chain.
However, the main barrier to adopting sustainable products is cost. PlasticFri is tackling this challenge by scaling production to make their offerings as affordable as traditional plastics.
This mission deeply resonated with me, and I was excited to contribute to their efforts. During my internship from May to August 2024, I focused on business development and strategy, primarily on PlasticFri’s expansion into the Singapore market. This included conducting market research and identifying potential distributors.
Hands-on learning: Leading a project for Singapore
What I loved most about working at a startup was the autonomy and responsibility I was entrusted with. Even as an intern, I led a project to introduce PlasticFri’s products to Singapore. This included analysing market conditions, crafting strategies, and even engaging with potential partners.
Personal growth in a new culture
Throughout the internship, I also developed my interpersonal and networking skills, which made it easier to connect with people in the workplace. I used to be quite shy, but the warm and friendly atmosphere allowed me to open up. Additionally, presenting every Friday helped sharpen my presentation skills and boosted my confidence.
On a personal level, the experience made me much more independent, as it was my first time living alone. Though daunting at first, I learnt to cook, maintain my apartment, do my own laundry, and handle grocery shopping – all skills I’m now proud to have developed.
Life in Sweden was a fascinating contrast to life in Singapore. Now that I’m back, what I miss most is Sweden’s stunning nature and the simple pleasure of walking to work without breaking a sweat – thanks to the mild 20 degree Celsius temperature. Every day, I enjoyed a 30-minute walk to the office, passing two lakes where ducks swam by. There were plenty of opportunities to immerse myself in nature, which I really appreciated.
I also relished in Sweden’s slower pace of life. During the summer, the days felt endless, with the sun setting around 10pm. At the peak of summer, during Midsummer, I experienced up to 22 hours of daylight each day!
Reflections and future aspirations
My experience in Sweden has made me more open to the idea of working abroad. I used to dismiss the thought of living alone overseas as it seemed daunting. But now that I've experienced it firsthand, I’ve realised how exciting and rewarding it can be. I look forward to exploring more cultures and continuing to grow more independent along the way.
Claire’s journey was made possible by the SMU Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship through their Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition.
Are you ready to take your learning beyond borders? Explore the Global Innovation Immersion (GII) programme or participate in the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition. Your next adventure awaits!
