After working 3 years as a Software Engineer in my home country I moved to Australia to pursue my dream of becoming a Business System Analyst and knew that doing an internship will be the greatest opportunity to pursue my dreams. Past few months have been really challenging for all of us due to the global pandemic. My experience of working in a fresh Software company partnered with Real Estate is quite unique. Through the internship I got the opportunity to learn how the Real Estate market is performing and what agents and tenants expect. As a BSA I was able to improve my skills in planning and writing user stories, writing test scenarios, handling confluence pages, managing communication with my team, planning process flows and swim lane diagrams and how to cope with frequently changing user requirements. Working remotely half way through was quite challenging but, through maintaining frequent communications and engaging actively with the team helped me to overcome the challenges.  The offered organization was ideal to start my career as a BSA and the whole team which I belonged to was so supportive and respectful throughout the internship.

1. Why did you choose to complete an Internship?

I chose to complete an Internship instead of doing a thesis for the following two reasons:

- My previous work experience is in music education, so I needed IT related work experience for my future career.

- My nationality is Chinese, so I wanted to know and experience the different working culture.

2. What have you learned the most during your internship?

I learned a lot of key points regarding communication skills, such as having empathy with your clients and being confident when you are talking to people even though English is not your mother tongue.

3. What benefits do you feel AI contributed to your internship and time in Australia?

AI provided great guidance during the application process which provided me with confidence in finding an internship position.

4. What advice would you give future interns?

Try to find examples of things you’ve done in the past that demonstrate your professional skills. I think this makes it easier for employers to match your abilities to criteria.

5. What do you enjoy most about Australia?

I enjoy travelling to different beautiful places in Australia. I enjoy hanging out in beaches. I like water sports in Australia like kayaking, paddle board, jet ski etc.

1. Why did you choose to complete an Internship?

Internship is a stepping stone to enter into the world of corporate culture and experience the working culture of the country. From the start of my Master's degree, I decided that I will choose an Internship in the final term. Because Internship comes with a bunch of benefits such as Getting to know the working culture, meeting with people who are working on real projects and understanding of how project is being developed from scratch. For me specifically as a web developer, it is important to work on real project to understand the client's requirements, negotiation and post completion project documentation and presentation. So Internship is the best way to experience the real world project before actually dive into the corporate world market.

2. What have you learned the most during your internship?

My learning experience at Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ) has been diverse. I have learned mostly two important aspects:

1. Technical knowledge as I got to work on the WMQ website and

2. Communication of technical knowledge to non-tech people (clients).

3. What benefits do you feel AI contributed to your internship and time in Australia?

AI helped in getting me placed in such a big non-profit organisation and helped me by being there as a point of communication during any difficulties every time. The regular checks on how I am doing and continuous support been a great help to me.

4. What advice would you give future interns?

I would say, don't rely about everything on the Internship Organisation. We must take initiative by ourselves and keep your communication clear without any hesitations. Try to show your creativity and the ideas you are having without having a fear of what others will say.

5. What do you enjoy most about Australia?

I enjoy travelling and wandering to different places. Australia has been blessed with fantastic natural places. I love to go to beaches and just inhale all the fresh air. Australia is full of diverse people from different countries and I love meeting new people and knowing their cultures.

"I have made a lifetime of beautiful memories, met good and interesting friends and acquaintances along the way. that have taught me invaluable lessons both in my professional and personal life. Have gained invaluable connections that I can always count on, in future.  

Honestly it was seeing the beach for the first time, amazing view. I will have that picture for the rest of my
life."

"Australia is a good place to live, learn and enjoy life. People are friendly and always helpful. Personally, now I am more confident. Professionally, received good training and improved my technical knowledge. Academically, got a chance to design my career. I have received good training, learned a lot and made some awesome friends."

"I found I am capable to participate in the program in the beginning of Term 3, first year, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to extend my learning and working experiences in Australia. My English improved a lot during the time working with local people. I had IELTS 6.5 before the internship, and now I got 7.

Thanks to AI, I could work with this company in Brisbane which is an excellent place for working. Everyone here are nice and friendly, and they are willing to help me with anything. And I got a paid job because of the internship program.

My advice for future interns i: do your best during the internship, perhaps you'll get a formal job because you have a good working attitude."

"Australian internships gave me a great platform to learn and to gain knowledge. I admire the way they are quick in response, treat the interns’ requirements as their top priority and make things as easy as a cake walk. This program has helped me progress a lot. Beyond that, I know I have a clear vision and improved focus now. I'd like to add that Australian Internships delivers much better experience and exposure than I expected. 
I'm learning new technology and new hacks for IT-networking. Working with the Directors straightway and sitting in meetings give me the experience that is incomparable. Apart from Academics, it is important to have an open mind-set and awareness to understand and grasp new things, new cultures, different people, foods and their slang. Believe every morning when I wake up, I feel inspired and all boosted because I know I'm living another day and I'm going to learn something new today."

“Interning here was a huge boost for my academic and professional life. I was able to work with state of the art technology and people from all around the world with all kinds of academic backgrounds. 
The experience I gained solving exciting challenges related to Computer Vision and Software Development, and the huge amount of contacts I made, will certainly make a difference in my future.”

"My university offered me to intern abroad in Australia as a part of my studies. Being on my own half way across the world and having to mature as an individual made this experience unique and special. I believe that I have become much more professionally diverse with a new outlook on how international businesses operate.

I would definitely recommend it as the experience really taught me about not only Australian cultures but also cultures from all over the world through the people I met."