I wrote this summer internship report a few weeks ago, and I thought it would be cool to share my wonderful experience with my friends and family. I spent my summer bouncing between Taipei and Shanghai as an intern at Pamir Law Firm. Here’s my summer:
Pamir was nothing of my expectations. Who knew that a law internship would teach me so much about marketing, corruption, life skills (dating lessons and real self-defense!), and who knew that a law internship would bring me closer to my family and make me appreciate them in ways I have before. Also, who knew that the Pamir index (amount of kg gained while working at Pamir) was a real thing?!
My primary individual task this summer was creating a marketing slideshow for an investor immigration project the firm just launched. Myriad Chinese families are looking to move abroad for capital preservation and to seek a better future and opportunity for their children. When Nick (my boss) first handed me the task, I thought it’d be really easy. After all, I’ve done countless slideshows throughout my compulsory education and in college, what can be so hard? The first time I got feedback from Nick, he basically told me to dispose my presentation and create a completely new one. After taking his suggestions, I thought I had a better sense of direction. But I soon began to feel hopeless the second and third time I got feedback from Nick. Nothing seemed right. I created no less than 10 versions of the presentation. But in the process, unknowingly, I began to develop a valuable skill and understanding that I’ve applied to my life since: psychology. My first few drafts were very academically-based, like the ones I have been making at school, lots of data, facts, and texts. Nick taught me the importance of understanding my audience and in this particular case, the art of storytelling. I learned to not only put myself in the shoes of my audience, but also to interact with the audience through text and images only.
Another project I took on involved a technology slideshow for an upcoming international conference Nick is attending. I, along with the other interns, conducted research on how technology in China will change both China and the world, which included China’s development in advanced manufacturing, e-commerce and e-banking, and major e-companies like Alibaba and Tencent. We began the research in Taiwan, but for me, the real-time shock came when I actually went to Shanghai and witnessed everything I researched: virtual wallets, ubiquitous bike share, ninja-speed delivery system (food, mail, packages), and the fact that everything was within reach through one app. It was interesting to see a recurring theme of new vs. old, and Nick constantly reminded us of the two worlds China encompassed. World one comprises of the younger generation, who are the leaders and followers of these new trends and this “new China.” So imaginably, world two includes a generation who are struggling but working diligently to catch up to the new, world two is also the “cash” generation, the generation that can’t even grab on taxi on the road because they don’t have the Didi taxi app (not mentioning any names *ahem ahem Nick*). This split on technology seems to be the microcosm for China’s society. China is a developing country with one side that is very advanced, wealthy, and global, but yet another side that’s still struggling to catch up with higher standards of living, the impossible housing costs, and the constantly changing societal trends influenced by technology.
The very interesting and valuable nature of this internship program comes from witnessing these developments and social problems. Nick makes an active effort to help us see the our research and projects real-time, and he’s done this by designing this cross-strait internship that allows us to make observations from both sides, taking us to various historical sites, conferences, talks, and other events on his own time, introducing us to his buddies that come from all socioeconomic levels and backgrounds so we can gain valuable insights from very different perspectives.
But aside from all the work aspects, Nick’s hospitality and our lovely colleagues were really what made this internship extra special. I often ask myself what I’ve done to deserve a boss that not only cares about me like his family, but also counsels me on my relationship with my parents. Discussions with Nick on the immigration project and family life has also made me realize the sacrifices my parents made to give my sister and I the better opportunity, and that awareness and newly-learned appreciation molded me into a new daughter, someone who can forgive conflicts and mistakes. It’s still a work in process, but at least I know I’m much happier about my relationship with my parents now.
Last but not least, actually, this is the most important part: FOOD! Nick took us to the most amazing restaurants and treated us to the best food I’ve had in my life. From the crispy and juicy duck dish at the French restaurant in Shanghai to the two lunches we had on Taoyuan street (monster wontons and killer beef noodle soup, don’t ask us why we had two lunches, the Pamir piggies were hungry!), there’s no doubt I’ve had some of the best food in my life in these two food paradises. No wonder I’ve put on quite a few pounds since working at Pamir, and I guess that’s my biggest complaint, but Nick did warn us that the firm is not responsible for weight gain, a disclaimer noted on the welcome letter, so I guess I can’t blame them…
Thank you Nick for your friendship, mentorship, guidance, and all the amazing food you’ve treated me too. Thank you for sharing your incredible stories, constantly coming out of your way to help me, and always helping me become a better person than I was yesterday. I am eternally grateful for everything you’ve done for me, and I can’t wait to reunite with the Pamir family soon!
feifeiadventures 