Internship Experience - Hwa Chong International

Nabilah Tai
Jul 15
2 min read

Updated: Jul 18

In June 2025, we had two batches of students from Hwa Chong International School for our Young Changemaker Programme. Each individual brought their own unique strengths, and energy to the team, and we couldn't be more grateful.

Batch 1, Matthew & Tomi

Our first pair of interns hit the ground running with a strong focus on digital storytelling and content creation.

Matthew, along with Temasek Junior College students, took charge of the social media marketing to curate engaging content for our social media platforms. From brainstorming reel concepts to executing them, his contribution helped to amplify our outreach. His understanding of what resonates with Gen Z audiences brought a creative spin to our marketing efforts. Check out the vidoes on our Instagram!

Tomi, on the other hand, played a pivotal role in refreshing our website visuals. He was not only behind the camera, but also took the initiative in directing scenes to ensure they reflected our brand values authentically. His attention to detail and creative direction helped us capture the spirit of our work in a whole new light.

The highlight of their week was attending a Today at Apple workshop at Orchard, where they learned how to use Procreate on iPad. Through experimentation with brushes, colours and textures, each student created a self-portrait reflecting their personality and imagination.

Batch 2, Qixuan & Ziyuan

Our second batch of students continued the momentum with a focus on creative skills. As part of their experience, they delivered a presentation on Empathy Mapping, exploring how understanding the emotions, needs and behaviours of others can shape more inclusive initiatives.

In addition, they supported our team by assisting with database clean-up, a task that might seem mundane, but is crucial to the long-term efficiency of our operations.

A Standout Moment

Four people pose in a lecture hall, smiling and giving thumbs up. A seating chart is displayed on a projector screen behind them. — *Tomi, Jhananya, Nabilah, Pedro (from left to right)*

Among our interns, one moment that truly stood out was when Tomi volunteered to support our team at the AIESEC Social Science Challenge Networking Day, a weekend event that brought together changemakers and social impact leaders. His willingness to step up outside of his internship hours, contribute meaningfully, and represent the organisation speaks volumes about his character and leadership potential.

A Grateful Reflection

"Throughout the internship, I faced challenges like unfamiliar tasks and tight deadlines, but I learned to adapt quickly and stay open to feedback. This experience not only gave me practical skills but also helped me grow personally. I left the internship feeling more capable and motivated." - Qixuan

"There were times when things didn’t go as planned, but I learned how to stay calm, find solutions, and support my teammates. I now understand better how real-world work differs from school, and I feel more prepared for future challenges." - Ziyuan

What began as a short internship experience turned into a journey of shared learning, creativity, and purpose. We were deeply inspired by the ideas and energy these four young individuals brought to the table, and the experience reminded us of the importance of mentorship, hands-on opportunities, and trusting youth with real responsibilities.

To the HCIS interns, thank you for your contributions! You’ve left a mark on our team, and we hope this experience has sparked something meaningful in your journey ahead.