Students experience business in Bangkok
A group of talented UNSW Business School students have returned from Bangkok, where they experienced a taster for life and business overseas.
Published on the 22 Aug 2017
Have you dreamed of the bustle of Thailand, the rush of Hong Kong or the emerging markets of Myanmar? A group of talented UNSW Business School students have done just that. They recently returned from Bangkok, experiencing a taster for life and business overseas.
For the last three years, as part of the Global Business Practicum, we've placed students in placements abroad. Students can work in far flung locations such as Jakarta, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Yangon or Israel.
The practicum increases students' knowledge of Asia and gives them cross-cultural understanding. It improves their communication skills in a real working environment. It also builds upon several graduate attributes including problem solving, adaptability and resilience.
This year, 26 students spent 3 weeks working for international companies such as Blackmores, Novotel, Baker Tilly, AustCham and Minor Group. Students also experienced the innovative start-up market. The companies involved were Santora Nakama, Frank.co.th and Orami.
The students got valuable time outside the placement. They attended language classes and explored the local cultural landmarks. They also met students and lecturers from Chulalongkorn University.
Kai Muir, worked for Orami with two fellow students to help prepare a Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) analysis of their magazine. Kai is in his final year of his undergraduate degree in Business Commerce and Business Science. He will be starting his new role with PWC on their graduate program.
"The practicum in Bangkok gave us the rare opportunity to dive straight in and immerse ourselves in the life of a local Thai business person. Working Monday to Friday on real, impactful projects, for a company that expected deliverables that they can implement, was both challenging and rewarding. I learned how to be adaptable and apply my communication skills – which will all be useful in the future."
This summer the Business School will offer undergraduate students the chance to work for tourism microbusinesses in Myanmar, corporations and start-ups in Israel, Hong Kong, China and Indonesia.
Applications for the next intake of students close on Sunday 27 August. For more information please contact Emily Cohen. For the practicum in Israel please contact Leanne Piggott.