Beyond the numbers: My Malaysia internship experience

Te Puni: "...though the spreadsheets may fade from memory, the lessons, the people, and the flavours of Malaysia will stay with me for a long time to come."

When I first stepped out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the wave of 30-plus degree heat and 80 percent humidity hit me before anything else.

I was there to begin a three-month internship with PwC Malaysia’s Assurance & Audit team—an exciting next step for a New Zealand business student eager to broaden his understanding of the global business landscape. What I didn’t expect was how much this experience would shape my perspective, not only on auditing, but on collaboration, adaptability and culture itself.

Joining the Kuala Lumpur office, I was placed within the TCCP (Technology, Communications and Consumer Products) team.

Over the course of my internship, I was fortunate to work across a diverse range of projects and collaborate with different departments throughout the office.

While confidentiality prevents me from mentioning specific clients, I can safely say that each engagement brought something new—a different challenge, a new system to master, and a deeper understanding of how complex and dynamic the world of assurance really is.

The technical side of auditing was only half the challenge. Coming from a background of primarily Western-cultured workplaces, I quickly realised that adjusting to the business environment in Southeast Asia would require just as much learning.

Navigating professional communication styles, understanding unspoken workplace etiquette, and recognising the nuances of collaboration were all part of the journey.

Thankfully, the PwC team was incredibly supportive—senior associates and managers alike took time to guide me through not only the work itself, but the cultural norms that shape how business is done in Malaysia.

Contrary to popular belief, audit and assurance are far from solitary professions. The process is deeply collaborative—whether it’s coordinating with team members, working alongside senior associates and managers, or engaging directly with clients to understand their financial information and internal controls.

Being part of that process gave me a much clearer appreciation for the role external auditors play in building trust in business. It also taught me how to communicate more effectively within a team and approach problems through a shared, structured lens.

By the end of my internship, I had not only improved my technical skills but also developed a much more holistic understanding of what good teamwork looks like in a professional setting.

Te Puni:"[The internship] was a crash course in adaptability, cross-cultural understanding, and professional growth."

Of course, life in Malaysia wasn’t all work.

Beyond the spreadsheets and audit files lay a cultural landscape that was as rich and diverse as any I had experienced.

Malaysia’s population is made up of vibrant Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indigenous communities—each bringing their own traditions, festivals, and cuisines to the table.

I learned quickly that “team lunch” could mean anything from Indian banana leaf curry to Chinese-style chicken rice, or my personal favourite, a hearty plate of Nasi Lemak. Every dish told a story: from the fiery sambal to the fragrant coconut rice, each flavour seemed to reflect a piece of the nation’s identity.

Outside the office, I took every opportunity to explore. Walking down the bustling Jonker Street Market in Melaka—surrounded by the aroma of street food and the glow of neon lights—felt like stepping into a living tapestry of Malaysian life. Sampling Baba Nyonya cuisine and discovering the local favourite, gula melaka (palm sugar), were just a few of the highlights.

During my stay, I was also lucky enough to witness Malaysia’s Independence Day celebrations—a moment that brought together people of all backgrounds in a shared sense of pride and unity.

Towards the end of my internship, PwC hosted a large reception for interns, bringing together over 200 interns from across the firm. It was an impressive event, filled with learning sessions, games, and networking opportunities.

Beyond the fun, it showcased how much emphasis PwC places on community and growth—qualities that I came to deeply appreciate during my time there.

Looking back, my PwC Malaysia experience was far more than just an internship. It was a crash course in adaptability, cross-cultural understanding, and professional growth. I left Kuala Lumpur not only with sharper analytical skills and a deeper appreciation for audit and assurance, but also with a lasting admiration for the culture and people who had welcomed me so warmly.

The experience has equipped me to navigate diverse business environments with greater confidence — whether in Southeast Asia or anywhere else in the world. And though the spreadsheets may fade from memory, the lessons, the people, and the flavours of Malaysia will stay with me for a long time to come.

The Foundation's Business Programme supports New Zealand companies to better understand Asia so they can make the most of opportunities in the region. It also supports to grow the next generation of Asia-savvy business leaders.

Our internship programme helps interns build a better understanding of the people, place and culture of their Asian host country, while developing industry-specific skills that will benefit them as they progress in their careers.