#44: Here's What A Startup Internship In Indonesia Taught Me
How interning at a rapidly growing startup in Jakarta challenged Sofia’s assumptions and shaped her entrepreneurial mindset
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When it comes to internship destinations in Southeast Asia, Indonesia might not be the first country that comes to mind.
But beyond the usual picks, its fast-growing startup scene offers a unique and dynamic environment for students eager to dive into the world of entrepreneurship.
In recent years, Indonesia has recorded a 10% increase in the number of startups, with over 2,000 active ventures — and Jakarta remains the heartbeat of this buzzing ecosystem.
With its innovative spirit and ever-expanding market, Indonesia provides an excellent backdrop for hands-on learning and real-world exposure.
In today’s newsletter, we explore Sofia’s experience interning in Jakarta, Indonesia.
A third-year Chemical Engineering student from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), she’s currently in NTU’s Overseas Entrepreneurship Program (OEP) for six months, following in the footsteps of Ronaldo and Jean.
The program aims to develop an entrepreneurial mindset in students through hands-on experience in startup ecosystems across Southeast Asia and beyond.
From navigating a fast-paced work culture to contributing to key business decisions, Sofia’s journey offers a glimpse into what it’s like to grow alongside one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting startup ecosystems.
Q: Why did you choose to intern in Indonesia?
I chose Indonesia because of its rapidly growing market and vibrant business scene, especially in the startup ecosystem.
Indonesia has a strong entrepreneurial landscape, and I wanted to immerse myself in its culture, work alongside local professionals, and understand how businesses operate.
While Indonesia’s fast-paced dynamism is somewhat similar to Singapore’s, the sheer scale of the market—both in terms of population and geography—offers a vastly different perspective.
Rather than opting for popular destinations like Europe or the US, I wanted to experience an economy closer to home. This means that I could build connections in Southeast Asia, develop cross-cultural communication skills, and gain insights that are highly relevant to Singapore’s regional business strategies.
I was also inspired and impressed by a friend of mine who completed her OEP in Thailand, especially by how much she had grown personally and professionally.
She shared how the internship allowed her to hone valuable skills such as adaptability, problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication—things that are crucial in today’s globalized business world.
Hearing about the challenges she faced, from navigating a new work culture to taking on responsibilities beyond her comfort zone, made me realize the immense learning opportunities that come with interning in a Southeast Asian country.
Her stories of working in a fast-paced environment, collaborating with diverse teams, and gaining hands-on exposure to real business operations inspired me to step out of my comfort zone as well.
I witnessed how her experience helped shape her entrepreneurial mindset, broaden her perspectives, and push her to become more independent.
That conversation played a big role in my decision to pursue my own OEP in Indonesia, as I wanted to challenge myself in a similar way and gain a deeper understanding of how businesses operate in different parts of Southeast Asia.
Q: Tell us more about your internship!
I am currently interning at Fit Hub as an Operations Excellence Intern.
Fit Hub is Indonesia’s largest gym startup chain and I work under my supervisor who connects different business functions. He focuses on sales, gym operations, marketing and expansion strategies. Because of him, I get to sit in on big meetings where important decisions are made.
Simply put, I analyze data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
My job involves finding innovative ways to reduce costs while maximizing sales and profitability. By working closely with different departments, I get to see many high-level strategic decision-making and also the on-the-ground execution that drives business growth.
Q: What are your impressions of Indonesia before the internship? Did it change in any way?
Honestly, I thought the work pace in Indonesia would be slower, more relaxed, and less intense than in Singapore. My friends and family shared the same sentiment.
Aside from that, since OEP mainly places interns in startups, I also expected a smaller-scale, casual, and flexible work culture compared to larger companies.
But my experience quickly proved me wrong.
I had to learn the ropes fast. A fellow intern described my department as “the eye of the tornado” because we were heavily involved in what is happening throughout the company. Although the working environment is fast-paced, my colleagues made the whole learning experience much more enjoyable.
After working with them for a couple of months now, I am grateful that I am learning a lot about the inner workings of a business. I feel inspired and eager to learn about the thought process behind a growing startup.
And I have no regrets about interning in Indonesia so far. I am grateful to OEP for helping me during this process!
Q: What are some challenges and takeaways you’ve faced?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was adapting to the company’s culture and work routines.
Every workplace has its way of doing things, and it takes time to understand these nuances. Learning to navigate company norms, expectations, and work ethics was an important part of my adjustment.
Another challenge was picking up new skills quickly.
As I major in Chemical Engineering, I knew very little about business and sales optimization, which meant that I had to learn things on the go without much formal training.
Despite these challenges, I’ve learned to have an open mind.
Being in a new work environment means stepping out of my comfort zone. Staying curious, asking the right questions, and taking initiative have been key to my learning and growing.
I also learned to balance independence and collaboration.
While it’s important to seek guidance, I learned the value of problem-solving on my own first before reaching out for help. This balance helped me become more resourceful and efficient.
I believe that being overseas alone has also pushed me to be more vigilant, adventurous and courageous in day-to-day life.
Q: How did your internship help you grow an entrepreneurial mindset?
My internship helped me develop an entrepreneurial mindset in many ways.
Working in a startup means that I have to constantly find ways to improve processes, cut costs, and drive growth. There are no fixed structures to rely on, so I have to think creatively and propose solutions. Watching my supervisors and coworkers come up with unexpected but effective ways to solve problems is impressive and pushed me to think more like an entrepreneur.
The startup company I’m in operates in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. I learned to adapt quickly, pick up new skills on the go, and work with limited resources—qualities that I believe are essential for any entrepreneur navigating uncertainty.
Being part of a rapidly growing business in Indonesia also gave me a deeper understanding of customer behavior, market trends, and the challenges of scaling a company. Sitting in meetings where these topics were discussed helped me to see how businesses identify opportunities and respond to market demands.
Overall, this experience taught me to think beyond just doing a job—it made me approach problems with a strategic mindset, take risks, and be proactive in creating value, all of which are core to entrepreneurship.
Q: Why should students consider an internship in Southeast Asia?
Interning in a rapidly developing economy comes with unique challenges, shifting market conditions, and diverse business strategies that you might not encounter in Singapore.
This hands-on experience broadens your perspective and enhances your adaptability in a global business environment.
Southeast Asia also offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to popular internship destinations like Europe or the U.S. This makes it a budget-friendly choice while still offering valuable learning experiences. It allows interns to maximize both professional growth and cultural exposure.
While Singapore is advanced in many areas, the region’s emerging economies are evolving rapidly. Experiencing this firsthand provides invaluable insights into market trends, business opportunities, and future economic developments that could shape global industries.
After spending time in Indonesia, I’ve come to appreciate Singapore’s strengths while also recognizing what Indonesia excels in—its creativity, adaptability, and strong entrepreneurial mindset.
This experience has given me a more balanced perspective, allowing me to see both the strengths and gaps in each country’s approach to business and innovation.
OEP prioritizes placements in startups, allowing students to be part of something transformative.
Rather than just observing, students actively contribute to a company’s growth, gaining first-hand exposure to strategic decision-making processes and the inner workings of a fast-paced business environment.
It’s amazing how much one can gain from an internship.
Unlike a typical internship, where tasks might be more routine or observational, Sofia’s experience provided direct exposure to high-level decision-making and strategic discussions
The opportunity to sit in on key meetings, contribute to meaningful projects, and witness how businesses scale in a fast-moving market is invaluable.
Beyond professional growth, an overseas internship builds adaptability, cross-cultural understanding, and resilience. In Indonesia—a country known for its innovation and entrepreneurial spirit—these lessons become even more impactful.
Sofia’s internship in Jakarta was made possible through NTU’s Overseas Entrepreneurship Program (OEP), which offers NTU students the chance to gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience in global innovation hubs.
Students intern at tech startups, work closely with founders, and build valuable business connections—all while receiving funding of up to S$10,000. They get to acquire a global perspective with the skills needed to launch their business ventures.
For those considering an overseas internship, do check out Indonesia! With its entrepreneurial energy and rapidly growing economy, it presents an invaluable opportunity for learning and professional growth.
This edition is brought to you by Nanyang Technological University’s Overseas Entrepreneurship Program.
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