Liew Jia Wen

Graduating Class of 2022
Double Degree in BSocSc (Politics, Law and Economics) and BSc (Economics)

I completed a Short-Term Internship programme (STI) to Ho Chi Minh City in December 2019. The internship that lasted 4 weeks aimed to give us the opportunity to gain exposure in the startup industry in other Southeast Asian countries.

I was attached to OnBrand Corporation, a company that works to provide e-commerce services to businesses and manufacturers, specifically in selling their products on the Amazon Business (B2B) marketplace. As an International Branch Setup Intern, I was tasked to perform market research on the feasibility of international expansion by considering various aspects. This included assessing the probability of getting international businesses as clients, as well as tapping into more markets to sell their current clients’ products. Conducting research for an overseas market was not easy, especially with the language barrier and general unfamiliarity with the working environment. However, it was fulfilling to see how we could apply the skills that we have picked up in SMU in a completely different context!

My colleagues there made the experience especially enjoyable as they tried to make us feel welcome and comfortable by having lunch with us daily and even inviting us to join them for certain activities. On our second day of work, we were even invited to watch the final match of the men’s football at the SEA Games 2019 that was being screened at a popular walking street! The place was packed with most showing up in Vietnam’s national colours and waving the national flag. It was particularly heartening to witness the patriotism and celebration when Vietnam was announced to have won the gold medal.

As part of the programme, we also planned weekend activities, including a Vietnamese cuisine cooking class and visits to several tourist attractions. The cooking class was particularly enjoyable as we got to make a few of the popular Vietnamese dishes that we have always enjoyed! The visits to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the War Remnants Museum were especially illuminating as they gave me a better understanding of Vietnam’s history and culture. During our free days, we could explore the city on our own. On one of our free days, a group of us decided to take a day trip to Mui Ne, a beach resort town known for its beautiful sand dunes and beaches. The wonderful view was definitely worth the 4-hour drive from the city as we were all in awe.  

My STI was one of the most enjoyable and unforgettable experiences that I have had in SMU and I am grateful for having been given the opportunity to embark on this overseas internship. It is a unique experience which differs vastly from a local internship.