During my internship, I had the opportunity to work across multiple departments, taking on a variety of responsibilities that honed my skills in education and student affairs. My primary role was as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for three English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes. In this capacity, I supported students during in-class activities, especially in improving their writing skills as a native English speaker. Additionally, I assisted the teachers in designing, administering, and grading various assignments and tests. A highlight of this role was independently creating a series of assignments, which included assigning short books for students to read and developing corresponding tests to assess their comprehension and engagement. 

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Beyond my teaching responsibilities, I worked with the Student Affairs department, where I contributed to the planning and execution of special events such as Halloween, Teacher’s Day, and Christmas celebrations. My tasks included brainstorming event ideas, assisting with preparations like shopping and decorating, and ensuring the events ran smoothly by coordinating activities during the events themselves. I was also assigned event specific roles at MOU ceremonies with partners like Marriott International, Vancouver Island University, and recruiting events at The Canadian International School. 

Another significant aspect of my internship was drafting numerous emails and creating content for a monthly newsletter distributed to students and staff. This newsletter served to inform the campus community about upcoming events, career workshops, ceremonies, Q&A sessions, and important reminders. I also conducted classroom visits to promote these initiatives, provide additional details, and collect student feedback through surveys after events like workshops and outings. In addition to these responsibilities, I participated in weekly meetings with directors of education, where we discussed challenges, proposed solutions, and planned key actions for the coming weeks. I also worked on project-specific tasks assigned by the Director of Education, such as organizing syllabus content in Excel for new course offerings and preparing documents for course equivalency agreements with universities establishing student transfer partnerships.

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This internship has significantly contributed to my area of study and future career plans by offering a practical application of my academic knowledge while expanding my skill set in meaningful ways. Each role I took on during the internship allowed me to collect data, analyze responses, and recommend improvements for operational processes and coursework. These activities provided hands-on experience in problem-solving and decision-making, critical skills in my field. A notable aspect of this internship was navigating cross-cultural differences and challenges. This experience has enhanced my ability to anticipate and manage similar challenges in my career, equipping me with the adaptability and cultural sensitivity required in today's global business environment. 

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Representing a major university affiliated with the larger EQuest education system also required me to maintain a high level of professionalism, further strengthening my professional demeanor and communication skills. Before starting this internship, I was curious about the Non-Profit/NGO sector, which is outside my primary area of study. Choosing to intern in this sector allowed me to explore its operations and compare them with the traditional business environment I have studied extensively. I gained valuable insights into the similarities and differences between these fields, enabling me to understand how my business knowledge could create value in both contexts. This cross-sector perspective has broadened my career possibilities and inspired me to think
about versatile applications of my expertise. Additionally, the structure of my role and the activities I participated in—such as meetings, conferences, and educational sessions—aligned closely with the dynamics of the business world. Collaborating with teams, delegating tasks across departments, and leveraging individual strengths to achieve collective goals were integral parts of my internship. These experiences gave me my first real-world exposure to managing projects and working in diverse teams, skills that are vital for my career development. 

Overall, this internship bridged the gap between theory and practice, prepared me for future challenges, and affirmed my commitment to contributing meaningfully to both traditional business and the Non-Profit/NGO sectors. 

Carisela Ramirez

GlobalWorks Internship In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Fall 2024