Clarence Ng Kai Lun

Graduating Class of 2022
Majoring in Politics, Law and Economics

I did a winter internship in Cambodia with Meridian International Holdings in December 2019. The experience changed my perspective on the country’s developing economy.

The internship stint allowed me to collaborate with people from different parts of the world, largely from China, Hongkong, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Working in a cross-cultural environment sharpened my adaptability and motivated me to improve my communication abilities.

During the programme, I had the opportunity to learn more about Khmer culture. We visited a local market and attended a cooking class on traditional Khmer cuisine. One of the planned activities also included a visit to a prison complex and killing field, where I learned more about Cambodia’s dark history during the Khmer Rouge’s reign and how it continues to shape the Cambodian society today.

The experience made me realise that behind the less ‘glamorous’ façade of these developing Southeast Asian countries lies a tremendous opportunity for young Singaporeans like myself to develop professional competencies and strive to become a future leader in the region.