Thai Cooking Class
NAME: Yzu-Han Chen
MAJOR: Business Admin/Mgmt Information Systems
PROGRAM: Global Internships – The Intern Group – Internship in Thailand Summer 2025
EMAIL: tzu-han.chen@sjsu.edu
BIO:
I am Tzu-Han Chen, currently a senior at San Jose State University, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems. I am an international student from Taiwan and came to SJSU looking for a better education and more opportunities in the future. To dive into the internship in the summer with The Intern Group in Thailand. Overall, it is a really comprehensive and challenging working experience, it allows me to meet many other international professionals who are like me, and this is the reason that I chose to intern abroad. I want to use this experience to meet more people in the professional field. In addition, I try to learn as much as I can about my future career choice by working in the real world business.
GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?
Before I went on to my internship in Thailand. The goal I set for myself is really limited, because I just want to learn how to work in a professional environment, and make some friends. Since I have never expected that it would be an experience that would change my point of view on myself and my career goal. (I think it will be a key advice to future global Spartans too, because I think if I have a clear goal before I went, I would likely learn more than I can)
PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?
After the internship, I have more clearer about that I want to become a business analyst in the future, which makes me more understanding of what classes I would need to put my focus on. In addition, after the internship, I have a goal that I would want to work around the world in the future. Try to have different kinds of jobs around the world. Since, every country has different business model and different things that people can try to learn as much as they can.
ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?
It was a comprehensive and challenging working experience that gave me the opportunity to work and collaborate hands-on with international professionals and learn various business analysis skills. During my internship at Anglo-Thai Legal, I contributed to various projects that helped the company function and expand. I have done reports to evaluate the firm’s CRM system and develop recommendations for improving client relationship management and supporting employee efficiency. Additionally, I assisted the ATL in conducting a client satisfaction survey to identify areas for business improvement. Moreover, I have made a plan for Anglo-Thai Legal to collaborate internationally with the Asian Exporters’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AECCI).
CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience? Actually, during my time in Thailand, I would need to work with different interns and professionals from different countries. Thereby, it was a rewarding opportunity working with interns from different countries, such as the US, the UK, China, and Thailand. This further enhances my communication skills, global thinking, and cross-cultural collaboration. Besides all the professional skills that I have learned during my internship.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?
Besides work, the other interns and I had chances to explore the city of Bangkok and experience Thai culture. Not only did we take classes together in cooking and Muay Thai, but we also visited different temples to learn about the culture. These allow me to learn more about the culture of Thailand and enhance my global mindset.
FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future?
Studying and interning abroad has contributed to a predominant ability to adapt in diverse environments. As an International student growing up in Taiwan, I covet to learn in a global environment. After graduating from Senior High School in my hometown, not only have I applied to study in the United States at San Jose State University, but also gained a year of experience studying in the United Kingdom at the University of Bristol prior to that. It was challenging at first to adapt to different cultures and work with people from various backgrounds, yet the transformative experience also equipped me with a global perspective as I strived to. This transformed into a motivation to pursue further and an aspiration to make impactful changes, which propels me to apply for opportunities abroad with the honor of interning in the big city of Bangkok in Thailand during this summer. It was an exceptionally rewarding experience, an opportunity that enabled me to apply my knowledge in an area of specialty which is unfamiliar to me and contribute to the growth of the business. In addition to that, I came to realize that I have developed the capability to embrace and enjoy within distinct environments and cultures, and among all, I was able to find myself in yet another way and improve. Thus, to sum up my experience studying and interning abroad, it has rewarded me with the ability to work and flourish in a worldwide setting, but most importantly, it has kindled my ambition to become a global professional who makes meaningful contributions.
TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans?
I would try to advise the future Global Spartans to open up their heart and minds, step out of their comfort zone, and try to have an internship in a country that they have never been to before. As an example, I have actually learned a lot during my time in Thailand. I have made a lot of professional relationships with students across the globe. This internship has change my view of the global community and I strongly beleive that everyone should have a chance to engage into different community and also work professionally.