Asia Internship - Culture Immersion Programs in Asia
Internships, Volunteering, Full-time Job Placement and More
Laura, student at IE Business School, Spain
There are quite a few things my stay in Chengdu taught me about the world, life, communication and much more.
I learned:
That adapting to different cultures isn’t the easiest thing to do, it requires patience and open-mindedness.
That every fear can be overcome and that cockroaches are not such a big deal (although I’d still rather live without them)
That “everybody laughs the same in every language”
That you can get used to eating rice every day and you’ll probably end up enjoying it
That mastering chopsticks is a talent I’ll be able to brag about when back in Europe
That Chinese tones are super sneaky and can drive someone crazy
That some people in this world are still genuinely happy, caring and generous
That coming to work with a smile and finding someone to give it back to you can turn any bad day into a shining one
That the people who have the least are often the ones giving the most
That collaborating, sharing and giving are harder than competing and receiving but are 100% worth it
That people who believe in their dreams and projects are a model of inspiration
That an – enormous – piece of cheesecake, coffee made with love, flowers, a good book and 包子 (a steamed bun) are enough to solve any bad mood
That having sofas at work is the B E S T T H I N G E V E R
That life in China can sometimes be very frustrating but is overall a marvelous experience
That living fiercely and going against the current is something every single one of us should do, because memories and successes are not created without effort.
And finally that we never say thank you enough so, 谢谢(thank you)
Laura's achievements after her internship in China
To intern in China means having an opportunity to grow personally, but also professionally. Nowadays, job interviews are becoming more and more competitive.
Thus, we all wish to give a little boost to our CV and, later in the process, to stand out during interviews. If you successfully complete an internship in China, it shows the interviewers many things about you: not only are you open-minded and determined to discover new horizons, but you are also capable to adapt to different work-environments and cultures.
Adaptability, is now a key component which companies are looking for.
During my interview for one of the biggest banks in the world, I have been asked many questions regarding my internship abroad; how I had taken the decision to go there; what I had learned, what the biggest challenges had been, etc. When properly answered, your professional experience turns out to be a huge value added to your attractiveness on the marketplace.
Proof on my side: I got the internship and am now working full time in Switzerland.
Laura G., Business Management.