SINGAPORE – In September 2025, mass communication student Abby Lee began a five-month internship in Bangkok that would leave a lasting mark on her professional and personal growth.
The 20-year-old, who worked at a Thai influencer agency, said she grew her professional network there, with a supervisor’s guidance.
Ms Lee, who landed the opportunity through Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) Global Entrepreneurial Internship Programme, is now setting her sights on Europe as she prepares for university.
“The culture in Europe is different from cultures in South-east Asia, so if I were given the opportunity, I would definitely go,” said the third-year student.
The self-described film enthusiast is particularly drawn to Ireland – the setting of one of her favourite films, The Banshees Of Inisherin – and admires its strong sense of culture and tradition.
Ms Lee is part of a growing pool of students from institutes of higher learning (IHL) pursuing opportunities in ASEAN-China-India (ACI), alongside traditionally popular destinations like English-speaking countries or places in Europe.
These include exchange programmes, internships and community service trips.
During Budget 2020, the Education Ministry announced its aim for 70 per cent of all IHL students to gain some form of overseas exposure by 2028, with 70 per cent of these opportunities based in the ACI region.
Local institutions told The Straits Times that demand for overseas stints – including those in the region – has risen in recent years, driven in part by pent-up interest after the pandemic.
China, Indonesia and Vietnam are the top regional destinations for some universities, while polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) report a surge in Asia-bound student trips.
A Singapore Management University (SMU) spokesperson said many students join two to three overseas stints.
“While Europe has long been a preferred choice, we have seen strong and growing interest in North Asia and ASEAN in recent years,” she said.
Overseas exposure has been a graduation requirement for SMU since 2018.
“This reflects a clear shift in student mindset. They are not choosing between regions but seeking complementary exposure – gaining perspectives from both established Western contexts and fast-growing Asian markets to better prepare for global and regional careers,” she added.
Singapore Polytechnic’s deputy principal (development) Tan Yen Yen, who has observed a similar trend, said: “The dual exposure results in graduates who are comfortable in Western environments whilst understanding Asian markets and cultural nuances – essential qualities for Singapore’s position in the global economy.”
In the years ahead, the IHLs plan to expand regional opportunities and encourage even more students to take up such stints – in line with the national 70-70 target – to tap Asia’s growing economy.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) offers more than 7,000 overseas immersion opportunities across 55 countries each year. Of these, more than 3,300 are in ACI, said its vice-provost of undergraduate education, Professor Gan Chee Lip.
Students are encouraged to plan for both short- and long-term exposure.
