Global Engagement

UEFers Share Stories of Personal Growth from International Internship Experiences

04/10/2026

On the afternoon of March 23, the UEF Center of Corporate Partnerships successfully organized a wrap-up ceremony for the international internship programs in the USA, Japan, and Indonesia. The event marked a memorable journey of experience on the students' path toward global integration and professional development.

This was not only an occasion to review the achieved results but also an open space for students to directly share authentic stories from their international working environments.

In a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, a group of students who participated in internships across three countries shared realistic perspectives on their journeys. They included: Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Bao (Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management) who interned in the USA; Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Uyen (Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management) who interned in Japan; and three students from the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Finance and Accounting — Ms. Vu Thi Minh Hanh, Ms. Tran Truong Thanh Trang, and Ms. Vo Thị Ha Phuong — who interned in Indonesia. From the initial moments of being overwhelmed in a new environment to gradually adapting and confidently taking on tasks, every story clearly demonstrated growth through each experience.

Personal shared experiences provided many useful insights for students intending to participate in international internships.

One of the topics that garnered significant interest was the income and cost of living in each country. The students candidly discussed internship stipends, the ability to cover daily living expenses, and how to balance finances to both ensure a quality experience and maintain personal savings. Additionally, building a network of relationships—from international colleagues to multinational friends—was highlighted as an "invisible" but extremely valuable asset for their future careers.

Furthermore, students shared the challenges they encountered throughout their internships. These included work pressure, language barriers, differences in working styles, and initial culture shock. However, these very difficulties became precious "raw materials" that helped the students hone their adaptability, independent thinking, and problem-solving skills in a multicultural environment.

UEF students grow through international internship experiences.

The cultural differences between countries were also vividly portrayed through each story. While the American working environment emphasizes proactivity, creativity, and direct communication, Japan stands out for its discipline, standards, and high sense of responsibility. Meanwhile, Indonesia offers a close and friendly feeling, yet possesses its own unique characteristics in corporate culture and operational methods. These experiences help students better understand the world and learn how to adjust themselves to suit specific environments.

In particular, personal stories—from moments when things "didn't go as planned" or bouts of homesickness to the joy of completing a job well or being recognized—contributed to a vivid picture of the international internship journey. For UEFers, this was a journey of both learning a profession and discovering themselves while expanding their own limits.

UEFers show great interest in international internship programs.

The wrap-up ceremony concluded but also opened up many new expectations for future generations of students. With the University's companionship, international internship programs continue to serve as a bridge helping UEF students access the global working environment, accumulate practical experience, and stay ready to make breakthroughs in their future career paths.

Center of Information and Communication