The Asia Pacific is one of the most important regions globally, as well as one of the largest and most diverse. Whether you’re looking for cultural immersion, delicious food, networking opportunities or challenging professional internships, the Asia Pacific has it all. The region is quite vast, and includes countries such as Japan, China, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and India. Many of the world’s largest and most prominent economies are located in this region, not to mention those that are quickly growing. Today, the region is home to 17 megacities, including Tokyo and Shanghai, and boasts an incredible number of official languages, religions and business cultures.
Nobody can deny that the Chinese economy is of global importance. The rapidly expanding Chinese economy overtook the United States economy in 2014, according to IMF estimates. An internship in China or elsewhere in the Asia Pacific will help young professionals understand China’s growing economic influence and significance in the region and around the world. However, China is not the only major player in the region. As Japan’s economy continues to expand, it is quickly becoming one of the top places for young professionals. Additionally, interning in both Melbourne, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand offer unique opportunities to set yourself apart from the crowd, and develop an international mindset.
Companies around the world are keeping their eye on opportunities in Asian markets, and many have already expanded into Australia. Having worked in either Kong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok or Melbourne will give an up-and-coming professional valuable insight into markets that will likely be of interest to a potential employer. Having an insider’s understanding of regional markets in Asia Pacific will also make a young professional an asset to a company that is looking for business growth opportunities in the region.
Being bilingual is one of the most useful skills a young professional can have in their arsenal. As many industries become more international, the ability to do business in more than one language is highly valued by employers. As an intern in Asia Pacific, you will be exposed to many languages, and have the opportunity to learn or practice Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Thai and many more.
Growth in the Asia Pacific region translates into job opportunities both within the region and outside of it. Many companies are looking to expand into Asia, or increase business with the top economies there. Interning abroad gives you the chance to gain a professional understanding of these markets and improve your career opportunities by having unique insight into the business culture.
As a student or recent graduate looking to intern abroad, you are likely interested in being immersed in a new culture. The Asia Pacific is home to some of the oldest cultures and civilizations in the world. Learning more about the traditions, languages and histories is the very best way to get to know your host country. The region has incredible diversity in food, religion, art and music. This offers a unique opportunity for those who wish to fully immerse themselves.
There are multitudes of delicious gastronomic traditions across all of Asia. Chinese and Thai food is particularly well-known, as they are extremely popular in the United States and the United Kingdom. Bangkok is known globally as a top destination for food lovers, due to the wide variety of delicious street food available at a very low cost. Similarly, if you want to try traditional Chinese food, there’s no better place to do so than Shanghai. Hong Kong and Melbourne are both extremely international cities, full of restaurants serving up dishes from every corner of the world.
Sources:
confuciuschineseacademy.co.uk
http://habitat3.org/wp-content/uploads/Asia-Pacific-Region-Quick-Facts.pdf
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141025151017-1408860-10-key-facts-about-asia-pacific-every-business-manager-should-know/
Photos:
1.Evening over Hong Kong, by Bernard Spragg, CC 1.0
2. Courtesy of The Intern Group