GRIP: Engineering Research in Singapore The first aspect of daily life that surprised me was the subway system. I had heard about its efficiency before arriving, but experiencing it in person was different. The stations were spotless, the trains quiet, and the timing precise. At first, I thought I had lucked out, since each time…
GRIP: GAO Capital in Singapore When I got off the plane, I was immediately struck by the immense heat in Singapore. The air was thick and humid, wrapping around me like a thick blanket. Within minutes, I was drenched in sweat, even from just walking a few blocks. At first, it was a bit overwhelming.…
GRIP: GAO Capital in Singapore Dear Anjelica, You are not here to merely experience the summer of 2025. You are here to forge something from it. The city you live in will not bend to you. The people you work with will not always care about your comfort. The markets will not stop moving when…
GRIP: Eurolife FHH in Athens, Greece Yasu! It is hard to believe that my time at Eurolife FFH is coming to an end, and I am extremely grateful for the support everyone on the Strategy Team at Eurolife has provided me. Every morning, my coworkers and I greet each other with a lively “Kalimera!” and…
GRIP: Sustainable Development in Monteverde, Costa Rica As a student, you are always told that the proper response to gracias (thank you) is de nada (you’re welcome). It’s drilled into your head as a phrase of respect, a phrase of gratitude. However, in Monteverde –and in all of Costa Rica– the proper response to gracias…
GRIP: FinTech in Medellín, Colombia When I landed in Medellín for my GRIP internship, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew I’d be working with a large construction and real estate company, but the day-to-day reality ended up being much more dynamic and hands-on than I imagined. Within my first week, I found…
GRIP: Business in Sydney, Australia If you told me back at Penn that my Google Calendar would be fuller on weekends in July than it ever was during the semester, I would’ve laughed out loud. Just like I would’ve never imagined myself celebrating Christmas with scarves, mulled wine, and the most Christmassy German treat, Stollen,…
Contact Ask Me About… As I’m already studying in a country that isn’t my own as an international student, people could ask why I’d choose to go abroad again. For me, each new environment pushes me to re-learn how I operate, from the way I approach assignments, to how I communicate in group settings, to…
Contact Ask Me About… Starting with GRIP: Power Up Gambia, my first-ever summer internship was also my first time working in Africa. What made this experience unique was learning how to navigate a completely new culture while carrying out my first professional role. I was adapting to new work expectations, living in a rural setting,…
GRIP: Business Development in Singapore One of my most profound realisations I had over my two months interning in Singapore was definitely one akin to culture shock, but perhaps not in the way you might be expecting. Everyone’s heard of the term ‘workplace culture’: how important it is, how prevalent it is. I’ll admit I…