Frequently asked internship questions
What does Asia New Zealand Foundation do?
The Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono is New Zealand’s leading authority on Asia. We provide experiences and resources to help New Zealanders build their knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive in Asia.
We work in partnership with influential individuals and organizations in New Zealand and Asia to provide forums, cultural events, international collaborations, school programmes and professional development opportunities.
What is the internship programme all about?
The Foundation’s Business programme has facilitated internships in Asia for over a decade.
Our internships are created to help young New Zealander’s develop a better understanding of the people, place, culture and protocols of their Asian host country. The Foundation’s goal is to assist in the development of the next generation of Asia-savvy leaders.
This will be the first sports-centred programme internship.
How did this internship come about?
In late 2022 the Foundation’s sports adviser travelled to South Korea to meet with and learn more about the sports system. This included spending a day visiting the 2024 Youth Winter Olympics (Gangwon2024) venue and discussing the possibility of an internship.
What are the internship hours?
Interns must be able to commit 40 hours per week for twelve weeks to participate in the internship during November – February.
Can I take time off during my internship?
Interns are entitled to take New Zealand public holidays and might not work on public holidays of the host’s country – each host will advise on this. Any other vacation plan should be discussed with the host and the Foundation prior to the placement.
Do I need to speak the language of the host’s country?
While knowledge of Korean language would be advantageous, it is not a prerequisite for the internship as some English is spoken.
Do I get a certificate at the end of my internship?
The Foundation does not issue certificates of participation at the end of the internship. Interns are encouraged to complete the Foundation’s cultural competency training through an external provider to gain a Global Cultural Competency Certificate as part of the internship experience.
How should interns prepare for the internship?
Once selected, the Foundation will arrange a group induction (sports and business interns) day in Auckland in November. There will also be an opportunity to complete cultural competency training, as noted above.
How will I learn about Asia during the internship?
The Foundation will provide interns with opportunities to strengthen their Asia knowledge, networks and confidence. This could include opportunities to connect with local mentors with Asia business experience or engage with local Asian communities in New Zealand. Regular contact with Asia-based colleagues will also contribute to greater understanding.
What is the Foundation looking for in candidates?
We will first check that applicants have studied a relevant course of study to the level requested in the advertisement and comply with any other specific requirements of the host, which will also be clearly outlined in the internship promotion. High grades are always an advantage, as many Asian cultures prize educational excellence.
Our selection process will then focus on ensuring we identify the right fit for the internship opportunity. We will be looking for an applicant who is open-minded and eager to learn about Asia and the Asian sports environment.
The successful applicant will understand that working across cultures can sometimes bring challenges as well as plenty of opportunities. He/she will be a resilient, self-motivated individual willing to fit into a work environment, which maybe be different from New Zealand.
The knowledge and ability to represent New Zealand to the world, through engagement with your hosts and their stakeholders, is also important. Experiences across Asia and an ability to speak the local language may be an advantage, though not a requirement.
Interest to learn more about Asia and Asian culture is more important!
Who can apply?
Interns must be students or recent graduates (within the last two years) who are interested in pursuing a career involving the Asian region and are willing to engage with the Foundation’s professional development programme.
Only New Zealand citizens or permanent resident status with be considered for the programme.
How does the selection process work?
The Asia New Zealand Foundation will assess all applications, short-list 4-5 applicants to undertake an interview assessment with a three-person panel. The panel will include one person from the Gangwon2024 team.
Once the selection has been made The Foundation will check the applicant’s references, as the final stage in the selection process.
Who sits on the interview panel?
The panel members will comprise at least one Foundation staff member, a representative of Gangwon2024 (as stated above), and/or other external representatives with relevant experience. Interviews may take place in person or online, depending on the location of the applicant and panel members.
What happens after the internship?
We ask all Foundation interns to submit a one-page website article (600 words) during their internship, describing their experience; and a final report (1200-1500 words) within a month after they finish the internship, which will also be shared with the hosts.
We also welcome interns to remain in contact with the Foundation – there are many programmes and events that may be of interest during further career development, including professional development activities and networking events.
