With the completion of the visa application process, all 70 students of the 2015 Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) now have the time to reflect on all their achievements and lessons learned in preparation for their summer overseas in New York City from May through August.

"Time consuming, exasperating, and demanding are words that come to mind when I'm thinking of the intense application process," said Daniel Chia, a second year student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) majoring in Economics and minoring in Business. "But the rigors of going through the administrative process have made an immense contribution to my development as a person."

Established in 2007, CCIP receives well over 1000 applications annually, making it one of the most competitive overseas internship programs available to students in Asia. The program is reputed for its intense and challenging application process, designed to ensure that only the most determined and persistent of students participate in the program, as well as to train them to be more detail-oriented and solution-driven in preparation for their internships in the summer.

Vince Miao, a second year Economics and Finance student at University of Hong Kong (HKU), said, "Though the internship has not officially begun, I already felt I have attended a few months of training from daily chats via the Whatsapp group to the weekly Skype briefings. The program is so organized and helps me keep track and schedule work more efficiently."

During the summer, CCIP participants engage in cross-cultural activities and intern at a range of small- and medium-sized host organizations in the Greater New York City area.

"I anticipate many learning points and new ideas that come from being immersed in an entirely different culture," said Clarissa Eyu, a first year Communications and New Media student at National University of Singapore (NUS). "The second or third years have a good idea of what their field of study is like, but I have much more to learn, having gone through only a year's worth of rudimentary learning in my area of study."

Kelly Shun, a second year Business and Administration at HKU said, "I simply don't know how to show my excitement and happiness with the upcoming experience full of uncertainties. On the other hand, I am also worried if will I get along with others, and because I have never interned in law firms before I'm afraid I can't meet their high standard.”

Overall, though, students agree that the internship program would be an experience that would challenge and push them to grow.

"I think I'll pick up on a lot of interpersonal skills, such as communicating with colleagues and potential clients, as well as my friends from CCIP," said Xin Yi Liew, another student from HKU majoring in Journalism and Media Study. "Through this internship, I hope to learn about independence. Being so far from home, I will have to be responsible for all my actions and decisions. I also hope I'll learn to be more proactive in both work and social activities.”

"The online briefings and regular updates provided by the program have been a great source of guidance in keeping track of my progress during my time as an applicant and now as a participant," Chia said. "I'm prepared to go to New York and make the most of it."