Program Overview
Over Summer 2018, I participated in the Fisher College of Business Global Internship Program in Singapore. This was an eight week program that placed me in a full-time, unpaid internship that focused on enhancing global competencies, creating international networks, and building compelling resumes. I was placed in a globally strategic business location which allowed for a meaningful business internship and an extensive cultural experience that can give me a distinct competitive advantage. I went to work Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm and was allowed two days off. I applied for Singapore because I lived here for two years and had a strong desire to go back and live in the beautiful country again.
I worked at Heraeus, a technology company headquartered in Hanau, Germany, formed in 1851. Their ideas are focused on important issues such as the environment, energy, health, mobility and industrial applications. The portfolio ranges from components to coordinated material systems which are used in a wide variety of industries, including the steel, electronics, chemical, automotive and telecommunications industries. I was on the Controlling team supporting the Global Business Unit Heraeus Electronics and worked together with the Controlling Manager and Costing Analysts for three sites in Singapore and Malaysia.
Pre-Departure Reflection
I initially learned about this program from my sorority sisters who already completed the program. Hearing about their experiences in Australia was inspiring and made me want to look into the Global Internship program further. I did some research online as well as met with advisors to learn more about it. Out of all eight countries, Singapore was the only one on my mind as I used to live there and was dying to go back. Living in the United States for eight years without travelling to Asia was hard. I was ready to go back to my favorite country and see what has changed.
During the Spring semester before I left, I took an online course, in advanced field study which helped prepare me culturally, financially, and with all things travel related. The course was designed to ensure that I was fully equipped to intern abroad. I was provided information on Singapore but also took the time to perform individual research on my own. Without a doubt, it prepared me to both work and live abroad. I completed many activities such as the Culture Calculator assignment. It provided me with in-depth tips on how to bridge cultural differences I might face this summer. Relating to group work, it was similar to the US and value individual endeavors and define myself by my own skills, attributes and accomplishments. I made a goal to work on being more group oriented which is commonly seen in Singapore.
Through many quizzes and alumni panel questions I felt ready to go abroad. Luckily, I received a scholarship and my parent’s generous contributions to help pay for this life changing experience. As a frequent flyer, I packed light and was ready to begin my journey. I knew I wasn’t going to be too home sick because both my mom and dad were flying out at separate times to come visit. I knew what to expect when going to Singapore, as I was old enough to remember living there. Safe public transportation, clean gum free streets, amazing food, no language barrier as people spoke English, and amazing culture. What concerned me was that I was going to be working for the first time in my life in a foreign country. I had never worked in a corporate 9-5 job before and was so scared that I wasn’t going to know how to do anything. I also wasn’t expecting to meet Ohio State students that became my friends. They were able to support me through all my concerns and really impacted my experience abroad.
I was also nervous during the placement process as the first company to reach out, KPMG, fell through. I knew I wanted an internship where I could build technical/real world accounting skills, strengthen my corporate writing and presentation skills (i.e. reports, proposals, improvement recommendations), and enhance my project management and collaboration skills through challenging team projects/assignments. I was placed with Heraeus and was very hesitant because I had never heard of them before. However, I kept an open mind and knew it was going to be a great learning experience.
While Abroad Reflection
While abroad, I explored Singapore’s sites, food, and culture by learning something new every day. I made sure to ask people what were the best restaurants to go to and go try them out, took lots of pictures of Singapore’s landscape and sites, and I read about and asked people questions about Singapore’s culture. Being in Singapore again, a lot was the same from what I remembered. Gardens by the Bay opened which was new! Although this time around it was different, as my eyes were more open to everything that was happening around me. For example, I found it interesting that everyone walks and drives on the left side. Also, when I was in Chinatown it was different watching people negotiate prices.
Cultural business differences did exist and I had to adapt so the team was successful. Singapore is highly hierarchical, meaning people are reluctant to challenge authority. I was in an intern position where I just given the work that I needed to do. I do like atmospheres that offer direction and structure, so I needed to learn to be okay with change and risk taking. No day on the job was the same and I had a morning meeting with my manager where he let me know what I needed to accomplish that day. I really focused on communication and building relationships, which everyone appreciated. I exchanged What’s App phone numbers and emails with my co-workers and managers to keep in contact. Similarities between my Singapore team and I included urgency about work (timeliness) as well as strong family values, so talking about our personal life was common at work.
We were conveniently living right by downtown and had quick access to the MRT train lines, shopping malls, restaurants, and bus stations. We did everything from the botanical gardens, marina bay sans hotel, gardens by the bay, merlion, hawker centers, Clarke quay, little india, Chinatown, Buddha Tooth temple, Holland village, Sentosa beach, and so much more. Singapore is a melting pot, so I got to eat everything from Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Singaporean, and Malay food. I definitely went out of my comfort zone and tried new foods.
One of my goals coming in was to travel with other students interning, at least once, while we are not working. My action items included to be social with everyone on the trip and get their contact information. Once everyone settled in we started talking about where we all want to go, and planed all the details of the trip and GO! I wrote a reflection half way through my time abroad stating, “In regard to travelling with OSU students, we have been taking about it but no action has been taken so I don’t think it will happen.” How wrong was I! We ended up going to Thailand for a long weekend and went on an awesome kayaking excursion through Halong Bay and enjoyed relaxing on the beach. We were able to learn about their culture as we made flower arrangements to set off into the water.
After Return Reflection
My overall experience in Singapore was one I wouldn’t trade for anything. It was truly amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I learned a lot about myself and the world through this Global Internship program that has made a life lasting impact. I hope that with this certificate I am able to show employers that I have global knowledge and competencies to work abroad. Singapore was the right location for me, but if I were to do it again, I would love to go back and see Europe, since I lived there as a young kid and don’t have as many memories.
One key takeaway I learned was the importance of preparation. It was really new to me that I needed to understand how business is done differently in different parts of the world. When communicating with others, I had to make a lot of assumptions based on their facial expressions, few words spoken, and body language. They didn’t like that I asked lots of questions as they expected me to understand their style of communicating. In the future, I hope to work internationally or be assigned to global projects. My developmental plan will be to always understand, study, learn, and embrace how business is done in other countries before travelling there. This way I will always be prepared and show others how much I respect their culture and want to build trust with them. I will apply what I’ve learned abroad and through this program so I don’t run into miscommunication situations again. And if it does happen again, I will be understanding and have an open mind so I am able to grow as a person.
Always have a curious mindset! I am the type of person to ask many questions, to see as much as I can, and to never stop learning. Many Americas live in the same place their whole life without seeing the rest of the world. There is so much to explore and I plan to never stop. My final takeaway may seem silly but it is to capture every moment. By taking pictures or self reflecting I am able to always remember the incredible experiences and memories I have made throughout my life. They will always remain a significant part of who I am.
My message for future students who are considering going abroad would be, if you are still debating, to 1000% do it. Regardless of what is in the way – fear or financial obligations– the reward is so worth it. There are many people along the way to support you and want to see you succeed. They will help you overcome any barriers that are in your way. The advisors of this program are excellent and the variety of global opportunities Fisher College of Business has to offer are incredible. Take advantage of one or multiple if you can throughout your time at Ohio State. Go with friends or by yourself, the relationships you build will last and I am so grateful to have made the connections that I did.
Photos
