Broad Peak Global Engagement Internship Fund – making dreams come true

Over the summer of 2016, four students went on meaningful internship experiences around the world through the Broad Peak Global Engagement Internship Grant, established by Singapore-based investment firm Broad Peak Investment Advisers Pte Ltd and supported by the College’s Centre for International & Professional Experience (CIPE). The grant supports students who embark on international internships or on local internships that require international travel in fields such as arts and culture, human rights, and urban planning.

The inaugural recipients of the Broad Peak Global Engagement Internship Grant were Martin Vasev, Sarah Novak, Jillane Buryn (all from the Class of 2018) and Tan Yan Ru (Class of 2019).

Martin (middle) is pictured with other interns at the American Foreign Service Association. Image provided by Martin Vasev.

Martin committed three months to working at the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) in Washington DC, where he helped prepare research papers and policy briefings on various political and economic issues. Some of his assignments also brought him to other institutions, such as the United States Congress and the United States Institute of Peace.

The internship piqued Martin’s interest in working for the Foreign Service in the future. “I could not be happier with the location of the internship – at the epicentre of international politics and economics,” he shared.

Sarah is pictured at her Committee on Foreign Affairs office at the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA). Image provided by Sarah Novak. 

Similarly, Sarah also spent her summer in Washington DC pursuing her interest in politics and international affairs. She spent two months working for the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA), an international think tank responsible for coordinating over 90 state-level councils that run a whole range of events related to politics and international relations, all over the United States.

“I am very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to intern with WACA as it has given me valuable experience about working intimately with policymakers and leading thinkers in the international affairs realm, where I hope to eventually pursue a career,” Sarah reflected.

Yan Ru (far right) is pictured with representatives from Caring for Cambodia. Image provided by Tan Yan Ru. 

Tan Yan Ru, who is on the Double Degree programme in law and Liberal Arts, interned with Caring for Cambodia in the area of gender equity, allowing her to be based in Siem Reap for two months. “I chose this internship because I knew I would be doing corporate law internships for the next few years and I wanted to do something completely different whilst I could,” she shared. “I specifically chose an NGO because I wanted to remind myself that there was a greater community that I could serve.”

Yan Ru’s stint in Cambodia has helped cement her passion for women’s rights and motivated her to further this cause back home. Since her return from Siem Reap, she has helped found Soroptimist International of Singapore Orchid, an organisation that promotes women’s rights in Singapore.

Jillane and other interns from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection pose for a group photo in Padua, Venice. Image by Jillane Buryn 

Meanwhile, Jillane Buryn embarked on an internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy. This programme immerses interns in Venice’s cultural life while providing practical experience in the area of museum operations as well as familiarity with an important modern art collection.

“I found an internship that both fitted my skill set and challenged me in a way that made me want to work as hard as possible,” Jillane reflected. “This internship taught me that there are things that I can be good at, can work hard at, and that challenge me every step of the way, leaving me feeling full instead of empty.”

For these students, the Broad Peak Global Engagement Internship Grant has gone a long way in supporting their dreams. Broad Peak Investment Advisers Pte Ltd was particularly keen in supporting students in the aspect of international travel, as the company felt that this would have significant impact on student experiences at Yale-NUS.

“It was very interesting to hear about the students’ experiences when I met with them,” said Mr Chandra Sinnathuray, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Broad Peak Investment Advisers Pte Ltd. “The College and the students have come up with some excellent projects to apply the grant towards. I am pleased that Broad Peak is able to support the students in these pursuits.”