Intern gains insights into the "dynamics of a developing economy"

Taylor: "This internship gave me a first-hand look at the dynamics of a developing economy and sparked a deeper interest in Asia."

Arriving in Jakarta, I was immediately struck by the vibrant chaos of the city. What I didn’t anticipate as I stepped off the plane was just how much the next three months would broaden my perspective and teach me personally and professionally.

After completing a semester exchange to Austria during university, I was inspired to live overseas again and gain further international experience, so when I came across the Asia New Zealand Foundation internship with KPMG Indonesia, I applied straight away. Having never been to Asia before I was excited to experience Jakarta’s vibrant culture while developing professionally in an international setting.

With a population twice the size of New Zealand’s, Jakarta is a bustling city full of people and traffic. The warmth and friendliness of people there made the transition easier, and I quickly learnt that a smile goes a long way.

I worked at KPMG Indonesia in their transfer pricing team, which advises large companies on related party transactions. Although I studied finance and economics, transfer pricing was new to me, but I quickly picked it up with support from my colleagues, who were happy to share both their knowledge and culture.

During my first week, I attended a colleague’s wedding. It was an unforgettable experience with over 500 guests, people dancing barefoot on smashed plates and a big stage to greet the couple.

Soon after arriving in Jakarta, Taylor was invited to a colleague's wedding, getting insights into Indonesian culture

Since I didn’t speak Bahasa Indonesian and didn’t know much about transfer pricing, initially there was limited work I could do. To start with, I did benchmarking. This involved researching companies to find out if they are similar to an existing client, so we can compare their prices with our clients' prices.

Another large part of my internship was spent conducting industry analysis. I really enjoyed this part as I got to learn about different sectors in various regions and the Indonesian economy in general. I remember being surprised to learn that while the global steel industry has seen low growth recently, the Indonesian steel industry has been growing rapidly. 

Taylor: "Ultimately, the most memorable part of this whole experience was the people I met."

For accommodation I stayed in an Airbnb apartment. It was perfect as it was a short scooter ride to work, a running track and malls (which I quickly discovered are everywhere in Jakarta).

As a foodie, I loved trying different Indonesian dishes. I had lots of nasi goreng (fried rice), but my favourite food was Nasi Padang, which is rice with a variety of dishes and is eaten with your hands.

I spent Christmas in Bali which involved hiking, snorkelling with turtles, a local cooking class, driving ATV’s and meeting other travellers.

It was interesting to see how different Bali is to Jakarta, with such a heavy influence from tourism. I also did weekend trips to Bandung and Yogyakarta, where I visited Hindu and Buddhist temples and tried my hand at traditional batik painting.

A trip to Yogyakarta where Taylor tried her hand at batik painting was a highlight of her time in Indonesia

Outside of work I joined a social touch rugby club which was a great way to meet people, and through this I made a close-knit group of friends. We had dinners together during the week, spent weekends hiking or running and attended various international events, as many of them worked at embassies.

As a lover of the outdoors, it was quite the adjustment getting used to life in a big city, with traffic everywhere and not as many accessible outdoor spaces.

One of the main roads in Jakarta is closed to cars on Sunday mornings to allow pedestrians to run, walk or bike on it. Despite the early starts to beat the heat, a key highlight of my week was always Sunday morning run club.

On weekends, jogging with her running group provided a chance to get out of the city and explore the countryside

This internship gave me a first-hand look at the dynamics of a developing economy and sparked a deeper interest in Asia, both culturally and economically. I hope to gain further experience involving Asia, whether through travelling, volunteering or working with Asian companies one day.

Ultimately, the most memorable part of this whole experience was the people I met. The friendships I built made Jakarta feel like a second home, and that’s what I’ll cherish most. I’m incredibly grateful for this life-changing opportunity, and I know its impact will stay with me for years 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.