I participated in the GII 6-month Track, where I interned as an Investment Analyst at Openspace Capital and went on an international exchange at the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation. I was motivated by a strong desire to step out of my comfort zone, live independently abroad, and immerse myself in a new academic and professional environment beyond Singapore.
The experience was incredibly fulfilling and rigorous. While clearing SMU modules overseas, I simultaneously worked in a fast-paced VC setting where I attended demo days and investor-facing tech events such as Techsauce and SITE 2025, evaluating startups directly in the seat of an investor and listening to founders pitch their ideas. I was also entrusted with ownership of key research and analysis projects, which strengthened my ability to think critically, assess business models, and communicate investment insights in a professional context.
Beyond technical exposure, the programme significantly deepened my global perspective. Interacting with founders, investors, and classmates from diverse cultural backgrounds helped me better understand regional market dynamics and cultural nuances across Asia’s fast-growing economies. Overall, the GII Track added immense value to both my SMU education and professional development, as it allowed me to integrate academic learning with real-world investment experience while growing more adaptable, independent, and globally minded.
