5 Important Things I Gained From My Internship in Asia

Quick answer: This intern, an American MBA student who did a business development internship in Thailand, says the experience gave them five things: confidence, broad exposure to the field, cross-cultural awareness, lasting Thai friendships and travel memories. They also say it confirmed that business development was the career they wanted.

When I was in the last semester of my MBA degree, I did a business development internship in Thailand that lasted over 4 months. My aim was to become a business development manager, which is a competitive and high-profile position. My MBA was a good start toward this career, but I knew it would not be enough without work experience. Since I was already studying in the US, my home country, I thought I should at least go abroad for an internship.

When I found Asia Internship Program and learned about their business development internships in Asia, I was immediately drawn to what they offered: a chance to live abroad independently for a couple of months and gain work experience in my field of interest. I browsed their internship offerings, which were spread across many locations in Asia. Thailand seemed the best to me, given its business environment. I got in touch with Asia Internship Program to learn more about the internship. After a few weeks of back and forth communication and processing, my internship was ready for me and I was ready for it. That is how I spent the summer of my last MBA semester in Thailand.

After the internship and my MBA, I secured a job as Junior Business Development Manager in a renowned firm back home in the United States. I am thriving in my job and company, and I think this has a lot to do with what I learned and gained from my internship in Asia. Among the many professional and life experiences, here are the most important ones:

1. Confidence to Be Myself and Succeed

Interning abroad is challenging, in the way that it pushes you to test your own limits. It was the first time I was away from home for so long, and I was a bundle of nerves at the start. But since the internship lasted over 4 months, I had plenty of time to get over the nervousness and discover a new confidence within myself. During my internship, I found myself becoming more confident in my own abilities than ever before. I started feeling that if I could handle something as testing as this, there was no job in the world that I could not do.

2. Comprehensive Field Exposure

The number one thing I hoped to get out of my internship was a broader outlook, extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of business development. I was more than satisfied with what the internship delivered. The daily assignments and various training sessions gave me great opportunities to explore the field from closer quarters. The internship gave me enough time to figure out what interests me most in this field, what areas I am good at, what areas I need to improve in, what kind of career growth I should plan for myself, and what my life as a business development manager would look like. Doing an internship in Thailand was like taking a test drive in the career field of business development. It enabled me to confirm that this is the profession I want to pursue.

3. Cross-Cultural Awareness

Before my internship, I had little awareness of cultures other than the ones I was used to seeing in America, let alone Asian culture. I had been living in a bubble, and I realized it when I arrived in Thailand. Living and working in Thailand taught me a lot about the country's business as well as its traditional cultural practices. It was fascinating to learn. My curiosity about cultures across the world has increased so much since my internship. When you are working in a field like business development, it is important to have global exposure and perspective. I would never have gotten that if I had not signed up for this internship.

4. Lovely Thai Friends for Life

A place is as good as its people, something I learned during my internship in Thailand. Thailand is a great country, and one of the biggest factors in its greatness is its exceptionally warm and friendly people. Before coming to Thailand, I had heard that it is the Land of Smiles, but I never imagined that the country would live up to this reputation so truly. Everyone I met, from colleagues at work to people on public transport, was helpful, kind, patient and smiling. Thais are easy to befriend, and I made many friends. Someday I hope to go back to Thailand and catch up with all of them in person.

5. Wonderful Travel Memories

This was an unexpected surprise from my internship. I came with a singular focus on work, but I did not expect to also do a lot of traveling and have fun and adventure. During the 4 months of my internship, I managed time here and there to visit the iconic temples, frolic at the pristine beaches, dive into enchanting island waters, shop at the local markets, eat the tasty Thai street food, and so much more. I expected my internship to help me grow professionally, but it also showed me the pleasures of travel and adventure.

FAQs

Can I do a business development internship in Thailand?

Yes. Business development is one of the popular fields in Bangkok and Phuket. You need to be 18 or over for an in-person internship, and you do not need to be a current student: students, recent graduates and young professionals can all apply.

Do I need to speak Thai?

No. Host companies work in English, so you need good English rather than Thai. Learning a few Thai phrases still makes daily life easier.

Are internships in Thailand paid?

Most international internships in Thailand are unpaid. Budget for food, local transport and personal spending on top of your program fee.

How long does it take to arrange an internship in Thailand?

Placement takes about 8 weeks from your deposit, so it is best to apply with a start date at least 12 weeks away, or use AIPx Fast Track if it is closer.

Is a placement assured?

We only accept you when we're confident we can place you. If we accept you and can't find you a placement, you get your full $500 deposit back. Every applicant starts with a free call with a career advisor, and we look for the best match for you.

Want to see what an internship in Thailand involves? Read about our internships in Thailand, explore Thailand's top industries and learn about business etiquette and introductions in Thailand before you go.