Intern 'embraces the unfamiliar' in Vietnam

Gavin: "Little did I know just how transformative this internship would be..."

I don’t think I fully grasped what I was getting myself into when I took the leap to spend my summer in Vietnam. Though, the second I stepped out of Tan Son Nhat Airport and was met with the pandemonium of motorbikes, pouring rain, locals shouting “Grab” at me, and the 30-degree sticky heat hitting my face, I knew I was in for the adventure of a lifetime.

Over the New Zealand university summer break, I worked in KPMG Vietnam’s Strategy group in Ho Chi Minh City, alongside my fellow Foundation intern Duncan Mutch, who interned in the Complex Transactions Team.

I was initially drawn to this position because it aligned closely with my own professional interests, and I knew that having the opportunity to experience work culture in an Asian setting would set me up well in my future career.

Little did I know just how transformative this internship would be, and that it would become so much more than just another line on my CV.

Coming from a Health Sciences background, I was especially intrigued by the projects I worked on, as our partner was also the firm's Head of Healthcare.

I had the opportunity to contribute to strategy projects ranging from medical tourism to healthcare financing in Vietnam, as well as work across other industries from real estate to retail. It was incredibly rewarding to practise my hard skills in Excel and PowerPoint, and even pick up new ones in Power BI [Microsoft’s business intelligence and data visualization platform].

One project I contributed significantly to was centred on work with the UK Government. As part of this project, I helped develop a pack outlining Vietnam’s macroeconomic, healthcare, and digital health landscape. This ultimately contributed to a UK Government investment mission pack used to support outreach to over 200 health and life sciences firms across the UK.

This piece of work especially piqued my interest. I found it fascinating to research health trends and statistics specific to the Vietnamese market and to compare and contrast these with what I have seen in New Zealand and learnt during my degree.

Gavin contributed to a range of projects from medical tourism to healthcare financing

The city itself bustles with life late into the a.m. Coming from little old Auckland, I never imagined a place could have this much energy. Finishing work at 5 p.m. was only the beginning of my day, and I often found myself going on adventures after work; a new shopping spot one night, a new food stop the next.

One of the most rewarding parts of the internship was the people I met. I connected with interns and staff from Vietnam, Australia, the United States, and Europe, and I am still in contact with many of them. These relationships were not only enjoyable but also valuable from a professional perspective.

I don’t think I could have been luckier with the local interns in my team. They were all raised in Vietnam; however, most study at universities overseas. Working (stressing) alongside them, laughing with them, and learning with them every day truly made this internship unlike any other, and I will miss them dearly.

Gavin: "By the end of my internship, I knew my way around Vietnamese cuisine, having tried all the staple dishes on offer."

During Christmas, New Year’s, and on weekends, Duncan and I were able to fit in several trips to explore the country and even others in Asia. From the vast sand dunes of Mui Ne to the foggy, mystical mountains of Sa Pa, being bored was never an option.

My trip to Mui Ne was especially memorable, as it was a spontaneous weekend getaway. It was the perfect escape to warm beaches, and I got really lucky with the tour I booked, which took me from walking through the rust-red waters of the Fairy Stream (Suối Tiên ) to a fishing village, and on to both the White and Red Sand Dunes.

During weekends and holiday breaks, Gavin and Duncan travelled beyond Ho Chi Minh City to explore the wider region

By the end of my internship, I knew my way around Vietnamese cuisine, having tried all the staple dishes on offer. I grew particularly fond of a dish called Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm, which consists of rice noodle blocks, meats and vegetables dipped in shrimp paste, which is definitely not for the faint of heart. Pho is just the beginning!

On my last day of work, all of us interns went out to have Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm because they knew it was my favourite Vietnamese meal.

It was such a special and laugh-filled night, we reminisced about all the fun we had over the past couple of months, joked about the quality of the restaurant (we didn’t have great luck finding good Mắm Tôm restaurants near the office) and talked about when we might see each other again. It was definitely a bittersweet night, and one I will always remember.

Gavin: "I don’t think I could have been luckier with the fellow interns in my team."

This internship was one of the most meaningful experiences of my university journey. It allowed me to grow both professionally and personally, while also giving me a much broader perspective on global business and culture.

I returned to New Zealand with increased confidence, stronger communication skills, and a clearer idea of what I want from my future career.

More than anything, this experience reinforced the value of stepping outside comfort zones and embracing unfamiliar environments. The combination of technical learning, cultural immersion, and international networking made it truly unforgettable.

Working and immersing myself in Vietnam has been a tremendously valuable experience, one I will remember for the rest of my life.

I arrived with a suitcase and have left with countless new memories, friendships, skills, and ambitions.

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.