One of my main motivations for choosing to join the National University of Singapore (NUS) was the opportunity to participate in the NUS Overseas College (NOC) programme. With its promise of immersive experiences abroad through credit-bearing internships and part-time courses with leading universities, the programme was a no-brainer for someone eager to embrace experiential learning and practical, real-world experiences.
Initially, I envisioned myself applying for one of the longer-term NOC options, which typically require at least 70 Modular Credits (MCs) and are highly competitive — especially for destinations like Silicon Valley. However, during orientation week as a freshman, I discovered something new: a three-month NOC programme designed specifically for first-year students. This short-term stint seemed like the perfect springboard, providing a “Greenlane” opportunity that could secure a slot in the longer-term programmes later on.
Why an Overseas Internship?
When weighing my options, the prospect of interning at established MNCs in Singapore, with their attractive salaries and structured environments, was certainly tempting. But something about venturing overseas felt more compelling. An overseas internship offered not just professional growth but also an adventure that would challenge and transform me.
Living and working in an unfamiliar country introduces an element of unpredictability — a spark for growth that can’t be replicated in a local setting. In today’s globalized world, soft skills such as adaptability, international experience, and cross-cultural communication are invaluable. These skills allow you to navigate diverse environments and foster connections across cultures, which is essential for personal and professional development.
From an entrepreneurial standpoint, working overseas pushed me to think beyond conventional solutions, adapting approaches to meet the unique needs of a different environment. Whether it was customising a product to suit regional demands or rethinking strategies to align with the local market, these experiences equipped me with a problem-solving toolkit that I believe will be beneficial in the future.
My Time in Vietnam
Vietnam was my first choice amongst the other South East Asia (SEA) countries. I enjoyed its rich history, vibrant streets, and burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem. I believe that it was the perfect time to venture into Vietnam to learn its societal norms, traditions, and ways of thinking.
I was a software engineering intern with a focus on exploring how Large Language Models (LLMs) could be harnessed for the compliance field. With the rapid pace at which new models and LLM-related tools are being developed, I realized early on that the detailed proofs-of-concept (POCs) I worked on would likely become outdated within months.
Instead, the true value of my internship lay in the foundational knowledge I gained. I developed a deep understanding of the use cases for LLMs in the finance and compliance industry, explored the business domain intricacies, and honed my technical expertise in developing LLM apps. I delved into advanced optimisation techniques, such as Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Agentic frameworks, while also learning the critical components necessary to build a production-ready LLM application (Text Splitting/Chunking, Embeddings, Indexing, VectorDBs, Guardrails, Retrievers, Evaluations, Responses Synthesis, Query/Response Caching, etc.).
These experiences not only enriched my technical skills but also gave me valuable insights into the intersection of AI and compliance, an area poised for transformative innovation.
Reflecting on my time in Hanoi, I realise that this journey was about so much more than completing a 3-month internship. It was about stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing the unfamiliar. It was about forming meaningful connections, understanding diverse perspectives, and gaining insights that will guide me in both my personal and professional life.
For anyone considering the NOC programme – in particular the 3-month programme as a fresher, I can confidently say: take the leap. The rewards – both personal and professional – are boundless.