Penn Abroad Ambassador Christine Kang

Program:

• GRIP: KK Fund

Ask me about...

• Having a lot of responsibility as an intern

• Deepening knowledge of investing and finance

• Growing on a personal level when exposed to new environments and challenges of adjusting 

My Experience Abroad:

My internship at KK Fund, a venture fund investing in early-stage startups based in Southeast Asia, proved to be pivotal and extremely enriching to my professional aspirations and personal growth. Even as an intern, I was involved in almost every part of the deal flow, from sourcing promising startups at international conferences to presenting industry research and due diligence in front of an investment committee. I am particularly grateful for the amount of responsibility given to me by my boss, who was a phenomenal mentor and answered my never-ending stream of questions with patience. Exposure to the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem and getting a deep dive into a wide variety of verticals allowed me to grow my business knowledge and gain confidence in pursuing a career in finance, as well as cementing my interest in investing in both early-stage and mature companies.

My experience outside of the office was arguably more valuable to my growth this summer. Due to Singapore's close proximity to other SEA countries, I was able to take weekend trips to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Stepping foot into one vibrant culture after another pushed me to see the world from the perspective of each individual I encountered, each unique in their color and stories. Through these immersive experiences, I've grown to be more courageous and secure in my identity while embracing different perspectives around me at the same time. I am incredibly grateful for this summer of travel and am beyond excited for future adventures that Penn offers.

Other Highlights:

• Eating the best noodle soup of my life at a hawker center in Singapore

• Learning how to motorcycle in Vietnam

• Seeing elephants in Thailand

• Climbing to the top of Batu Caves in Malaysia

• Hanging out with other GRIP students at the top of Marina Bay Sands