Intern's "unforgettable" Indonesia experience
Victoria University commerce student Kyran Lockwood says the three months he spent interning at KPMG in Jakarta, Indonesia, was an opportunity to step outside of his comfort zone and experience life in a new culture and new work environment.
Kyran: "This internship was truly one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life."
Nothing could have prepared me for the moment I stepped out of Soekarno–Hatta International Airport. The humidity hit instantly, the traffic was relentless, and people were everywhere. I knew right then that this was going to be something special.
Over the New Zealand summer, I joined KPMG Indonesia’s Transfer Pricing team in Jakarta. The role caught my attention because it aligned closely with where I want to take my career, and the chance to live and work in a completely different country and culture was something I had always wanted to do.
What I didn’t anticipate was just how much the experience would shift my perspective, not only professionally but personally.
Going in, I had no real grounding in transfer pricing beyond what I’d picked up in passing. What followed was a steep but genuinely rewarding learning curve that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
It was exciting to finally put my finance and management knowledge to work in a real-world setting, contributing across a variety of projects from day one.
Kyran (back row) with the rest of the KPMG transfer pricing team
At KPMG Indonesia I produced compliant transfer pricing documentation aligned with client operations, performed benchmarking and industry analysis, and collaborated across teams to support client meetings and keep senior staff informed throughout each engagement.
The work I found most fascinating was benchmarking, which involved comparing the prices, profit margins, and financial terms of transactions between related companies against those of completely independent businesses. It sounds technical, and it is, but there is something satisfying about finding the right comparable and making the numbers tell a story.
I was lucky to have a team who were always willing to offer help and guidance, whether it was work-related or simply navigating life outside the office.
On weekends, Kyran would explore Jakarta and further afield — taking in the local sights and culture
Outside the office, Jakarta had plenty to offer. I stayed in an apartment 15 minutes from work in the heart of the business district, close enough to walk in most mornings — most being the key word, because the heat usually had other plans.
Throughout the week I explored different foods, local attractions, and Jakarta’s many, many shopping malls. I counted eleven.
One of the most unexpected highlights was being invited to a traditional Indonesian wedding by one of my coworkers, which also happened to be my very first wedding ever.
Kyran (far left) at the wedding of a colleague
For the occasion, I wore a Batik, a traditional Indonesian shirt, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable nights of the entire trip.
Another highlight was joining a local 7-a-side football team. Twice a week, during rush hour, I would take the train almost two hours outside the city to play competitive matches and tournaments. We even won one.
Everyone I played with was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and those evenings gave me a side of Jakarta I never would have found otherwise.
Joining a local seven-aside football team provided an opportunity to stay fit and make some new friends
On weekends I explored further afield, travelling to the neighbouring cities of Bandung, Temanggung, and Yogyakarta, experiencing places and cultures I genuinely never expected to encounter.
Over the Christmas period I flew to Bali, where I visited the Monkey Temple, took surfing lessons, watched traditional fire dances, and worked my way through as many food options as possible.
Having never solo travelled before, stepping outside my comfort zone was very much part of the deal. Looking back, it was exactly that discomfort that pushed me to get the most out of every moment.
Food deserves its own mention. Over the course of the internship, I worked my way through as much Indonesian cuisine as I could.
My go-tos were Nasi Goreng and Satay, but I also tried snake and lizard, which is genuinely better than you would expect. I would take either over durian fruit any day.
Kyran: "Having never solo travelled before, stepping outside my comfort zone was very much part of the deal"
This internship was truly one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.
Everything I learned and lived through will carry with me both professionally and personally for years to come. I came home with heartfelt connections, countless stories, and a genuine gratitude for every single moment of it.
To anyone considering applying, just go for it. The experience and connections you gain will stay with you long after you return home. It will challenge you, push you outside your comfort zone, and help you grow in ways you simply cannot plan for.
A massive thank you to the Asia New Zealand Foundation and KPMG Indonesia for making this possible.
To everyone in the KPMG Transfer Pricing team, my football teammates, and the new friends made along the way, thank you for sharing everything Indonesia had to offer. I will most definitely be back in Asia very soon.
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.
