Asia Internship - Culture Immersion Programs in Asia

Hello, my name is Bailey, I’m studying to be a Bioengineer.
With so many people graduating from university, undertaking work experience is one of the best things that you can do to make yourself stand out. But it’s not just about improving your CV, it’s about gaining understanding of how the world works; for that reason I couldn’t recommend doing an internship in China more.

I lived in Chengdu for two months, a city known for Pandas and Spice, but reducing it to just those two does it a great injustice. The City is immense, of a scale I have never seen before. Towers reaching to the sky everywhere you look, surrounded by a bustling sea of people. At first it can seem a bit daunting, but after a while, its energy becomes intoxicating. There is always something to do and see, day or night. From relaxing parks and museums, to a vibrant nightlife; the city has it all. There will be some culture shocks, and at times it may seem intense, but it’s that that makes the experience all the more enriching. You become immersed in the Chinese way of life and get to sample its great culture, in a much more in depth than you would if you were only visiting.That said, with its depth and sheer size, with my time there I think I only scratched the surface.

During my time there I worked in a robotics company that was expanding into the biotech sector. I spent my days researching and helping to design a machine capable of genetically engineering white blood cells from extracted blood, to create CAR-T cells, a modified cell that could be used for example to treat cancer. This project is on exists on the cutting edge of medical research, and it was a great privilege to be able to work on it. I learned not only about the science behind this process, but in the many factors that must be taken into account when designing and building a new product; skills that have undoubtedly made me a better engineer.

It is the Asia internship staff however that really made the experience for me. From the moment I arrived on the plane, I was taken care of, and made to feel among friends. With a city as vast as Chengdu, it could be easy to feel daunted. However, the people working at Asia internship really go out of their way to help you settle in, and help you to make the most of your time in China. They will help set you up with a sim card and metro pass, which allows the city to open up for you and allowing you to explore with ease. There is always someone available to talk to if you have any questions, need a bit of help, or just want to know if someone wants to go out for something to eat. They also help set up great weekend trips and activities, allowing you to do things you would never find on your own. They don’t just treat it as a job, they become your friends.

So to someone who is considering doing an internship I would day this: Do it. It will be one of the most unique and rewarding times of your life. The experience it provides is not only amazing for work in the future, but grants a greater understanding of the country’s incredible culture and way of life. It truly broadens your horizons