GII 3-month Track Programme Overview
The Global Innovation Immersion Programme offers a 3 months Track.
Application Process
Eligibility
GII is open to all full-time SMU undergraduates who are returning for at least one semester of study after the programme.
Students should possess an interest in innovation and/or entrepreneurship.
Students should possess maturity to live and work independently in a foreign and fast-paced environment.
Selection Process
The GII selection process involves two rounds:
The first round is initiated by submitting your application and submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Students who pass the first round will be asked to submit content for the second round.
The second round content submissions will involve a pitch in video format and other supporting documents.
Internship Placement
Students who successfully pass the second round of the GII selection process will be shortlisted to be potentially matched with GII host employers.
During the matching phase, student candidates will need to brush up on their interview skills as they will have the opportunity to interview with hiring managers that indicate an interest in them.
Internship offers or placements will be provided to student candidates who demonstrate their value and determination.
Spots are highly limited!
Destinations
Southeast Asia
Electrifying. Rocket Growth. Eclectic Cultures.
Southeast Asia holds tremendous opportunities for the bold, daring and courageous. Each country has its own unique culture, language and people; but the region is united in its rocket growth.
This is where you’ll build and scale your successful startup. This is where you’ll rise to be king of the mountain. This is Southeast Asia.
Cities Offered: Jakarta (Indonesia), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand), Manila (Philippines), Yangon (Myanmar)
China
Competitive. Massive Market. Meaningful Relationships.
China is on track to be the world’s largest economy. A powerhouse to be reckoned with. Knowing how to survive and thrive in China means riding on the dragon and discovering opportunities nowhere else offers.
This is where you’ll forge meaningful relationships. This is where you’ll soar with the dragon that shows no sign of slowing down. This is China.
Cities Offered: Beijing, Shanghai
USA
Risk-Taking. Mature Market. Rich Experiences.
Silicon Valley and the surrounding Bay Area remains as the most influential and highly concentrated place for innovation and investment capital. Global titans like Google, Apple and Facebook make their homes in Silicon Valley, but they too were once budding startups with just a dream and a vision. Countless entrepreneurs are following in their footsteps.
This is where you'll be inspired and challenged. This is where your horizons and perception of what's possible will grow. This is America, the land of opportunity.
Cities Offered: San Francisco, New York City
Rest of the World
We have partners at innovation hotspots all over the world.
GII students have also explored Copenhagen, Fribourg (Switzerland) and Ghent.
Workshops & Training
Any worthwhile and challenging endeavour requires preparation. The GII programme is fully immersive even before you sign an employment contract or step on a plane.
GII candidates and interns are exposed to an array of workshops
and training opportunities. Everything from familiarising you with the nuances of the innovation ecosystem to soft and hard skills to get you ready to excel.
- How to build a business development funnel and lifecycle
- Outreach: Lead generation through digital channels
- Pitching: How to prepare for sales meetings, positioning of company/product, pitch deck construction, execution and sales tactics
- Closing deals: How to get buy-in from potential customers, deal terms, negotiation and closing tactics
- Think algorithmically, frame problems logically, and articulate solutions like a coder
- Basics of python software design
- Reading in tabular data and performing data visualizations
- Develop & plan effective digital marketing campaigns, with a strong focus on marketing return on investment (ROI)
- Gain proficiency in digital marketing tools, including HubSpot, Facebook, Google Analytics
- Drive user and customer acquisition during your internship with your new knowledge of cutting-edge techniques & platforms
- Business analytics
- Gain a clearer understanding of your personal and professional growth goals for an overseas internship journey
- Understand cultural norms pertaining to networking in the GII markets
- Understand what networking is (and isn’t), and the different forms it commonly takes in the startup world
- Learn about best practices pertaining to digital/online personal branding and in-person networking efforts
- Be equipped with the necessary skills for crafting a compelling resume
- On-the-spot writing support
- Interview preparation from industry experts
- Language classes available in Bahasa Indonesia, Thai, Vietnamese and Burmese
- Gain a better understanding of the etiquette and nuances of coffee/tea chats with professionals in China
- Learn Business Chinese that is frequently used in the workplace (e.g. for presentations, meetings and discussions)
- Hands-on training to practice both Chinese speaking and writing skills for interview & internships with Chinese companies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is application competitive? How likely am I to be selected?
Application is selective, as GII looks for students who are innovative, entrepreneurial and confident to embrace the uncertainty and challenges in the startup world. Once you’ve been shortlisted by GII Programme, we’ll match you up with the company and internship of choice. Keep in mind that the company may have additional rounds of interview and screening. We strongly recommend you to put in an application, regardless of what you think your chances are. If you don’t try, you won’t know!
I'm already applying to other internships. Can I apply to GII?
Of course you can! In fact, we encourage you to actively explore options. Keep in mind that GII is not just an overseas internship — it comes with a comprehensive bootcamp training, mentorship & networking opportunities and a host of other privileges that is not typical to internships!
Do I get to choose the companies/ internships?
Yes, we have a diverse range of companies and internship opportunities for you to select from. However, keep in mind that not all opportunities of interest to you may be in the city of choice. You may have to decide which is more important — the city you’re in or the company/internship.
What help/ support is there for me when I'm overseas?
SMU has a structured support system to help you. Your first level of support is the peers around you. They will be closest to you (in physical proximity), so do make friends with them! The second level of support is your host company — we work with host companies to extend support to you in case of emergencies. The third level of support is your in-country mentor. The fourth level of support is the Singapore consulate / embassy in the city.
How much must I pay to participate in GII?
There is no programme fee or application fee associated with GII. If you successfully secure an internship, some expenditures such as travel and living costs may be incurred, if physical overseas internship is allowed. However, there are schemes available such as grants, scholarships, and the internship allowance provided by the hiring company that you can tap on to ensure you don't miss out on this opportunity due to financial constraints.
I'm not sure if I want to be an entrepreneur. Is GII right for me?
Yes! If you are entrepreneurial-minded and love innovation, GII will be a great program for you! GII is designed not just for student entrepreneurs, but for students passionate about innovation and digital transformation. Even if you are not sure about being an entrepreneur, give GII a try. You will not have any regrets!
Will I be alone?
As much as possible, we send at least 3 - 4 students to each city, so you’ll have the opportunity to make new friends.
Will I be given my top choice of city?
We’ll try our best to match you with your top choice of city.
What intern roles have been offered and filled by GII partners in years past?
Some of the more common roles in recent years are: Business Operations, Business Development, Data Analytics, Investment Analyst, Marketing (digital, content, growth), Sales, Software Engineer, UX/UI Research/Design, Project Management, Research Analyst.
What kind of roles are GII interns looking for?
Roles in high demand amongst our student interns include business development, data analytics, digital marketing, finance, and software engineering.
What kind of past work experiences do our students have?
We set the bar considerably high for our student intern candidates. We strive to match companies with students who have already had experience working in a professional environment and/or delivered quality results on significant projects.
How much do we have to pay an intern?
We request that our employers pay our student interns the local market rate for internship allowances. If you’d like to find out what the benchmark is, please contact us at iie-gii@smu.edu.sg.
If I have issues with my intern, what can I do about it?
We put interns through a rigorous assessment, followed by preparation that spans 2 - 3 months prior to the internship. This is usually effective in mitigating most issues. However, should any issues arise, rest assured that you will have access to a dedicated and responsive program manager throughout the entire process.
Can I hire the intern for more than 12 weeks?
If you’re asking this question, we appreciate that you see the value in our students. We seek your understanding that the 12- week period is mapped to the duration of the students’ summer break from their academics. That said, please feel free to extend a return offer to the student for the following summer or upon graduation. Or reach out to us at iie-gii@smu.edu.sg to explore other possibilities.