Living, Learning & Teaching Abroad—Thanks to Whitman!

I have always wanted to do a summer internship abroad, and I was so lucky to have the incredible opportunity to intern in Hong Kong for the summer of my junior year, thanks to the support from the staff at Whitman! It was an unforgettable experience that I wanted to tell you all about it. Spoiler alert: it was absolutely amazing, and I will be doing it again this upcoming summer!

If you’re considering an internship abroad, especially in a vibrant city like Hong Kong, I can’t recommend seeking help from the staff at the Career and Community Engagement Center (CCEC) enough. I’m so grateful for the resources available, including the availability of this internship and the support of the Whitman Internship Grant, which made this opportunity financially possible. This experience wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from my Whitman career advisors and coaches.

I first learned about this opportunity through Whitman’s approved list of internships. I was hesitant to apply at first as it was an English teaching position, and English is not my first language. But my career coaches in the CCEC supported me throughout the entire application process. I was applying while I was studying abroad in Australia, so my career coaches worked with me virtually and by email despite the 19-hour time difference. They helped me finalize my application materials and prepare for my interview. I can’t thank them enough!

Once I learned I got the internship, I applied for the Whitman Internship Grant (WIG) for financial assistance. The WIG supports students who secured unpaid domestic or international internships with stipends to cover the expenses such as housing, flights, and transportation. Whitman is really supportive and encouraging of students who want to make an impact globally. The WIG allowed me to fully immerse myself in the experience. I’m also grateful to the director of the WIG (also in the CCEC), and to my study abroad advisor in the Off-Campus Studies office, who supported me through the logistical processes of navigating my summer internship so that I could fly over directly after my study abroad semester.

Now, you might wonder what my internship entailed! I was an English teacher for a nonprofit program that helps local students improve their language skills. I have always been passionate about working with youth, and this was the perfect fit. I still cherish the thank-you letters my students wrote me that were filled with adorable panda stickers, drawings and imperfect yet heartfelt English. Their thoughtfulness and kindness truly warmed my heart.

Hong Kong itself—where East meets West—lives up to the hype. I instantly fell in love with the city because of the scenery, the food, the public transportation and the people. I spent all my free time exploring every corner of Hong Kong, so much so that my co-workers jokingly called me a local. I still remember every lovely street I have crossed, every breathtaking sunset by the harbor after work and every bakery with the best pastries I have been to. Hong Kong had captured my heart.

The thing that I remember most about the experience is the lifelong friendships I made with the people I met there. My co-workers and I grew close. We supported each other through the highs and lows, celebrated our successes and shared plenty of laughs. Saying goodbye on the last day of the program was emotional for all of us, but I know the friendships we built will last a lifetime. It is still unbelievable to think about how we formed this close connection within just two months. From strangers, we become lifelong friends, and I like to say our friendship was made in “Home Kong.”

Mavie Pham ’25 (she/her) is a Sociology major from Hanoi, Vietnam. In 2024, she lived in 4 countries for at least 2 months at each place: Australia for her study abroad, Hong Kong SAR for her international internship, Vietnam as it’s her hometown and the U.S. to start her senior year at Whitman!