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Fighting for free market ideals and gaining insights into public policymaking was all part of the experience for three UWA Business School students who completed internships in Hong Kong and Washington DC earlier this year.

The internships, funded by Mannkal Economic Education Foundation , allowed the students to work at various free market think tanks and not-for-profit organisations.

Going out there by yourself, in Hong Kong

Helen Le, a UWA Law/Commerce student, chose to spend her internship at the Lion Rock Institute in Hong Kong.

Over five weeks Helen was mentored by three staff within the institute, researched policy and current affairs, and was able to write and deliver a speech to Hong Kong's Legislative Council (equivalent to Australia's parliament).

Arguing that the restriction on Private Driving Instructor licences should be lifted, Helen presented to a committee meeting, where she received a very positive response.

"Although nerve-racking, this was an invaluable experience," Helen said.

"After I had made my speech, a member of the Legislative Council mentioned an aspect of my speech in his own and posed the same questions I had. It was such an amazing feeling to hear your work being heard and incorporated."

After delivering her speech, Helen was offered another two internships for the coming Summer, including one working at the Legislative Council.

Completing an internship, Helen said, allowed her to put her learning into practice in a real-life setting.

"You're not really yourself until you go out there by yourself and make decisions based on your own thoughts," she explained.

"My biggest advice is to listen to everything the mentors are telling you and ask a lot of questions."

Exploring diverse careers in Washington DC

Kim Phan, a Commerce student, completed her internship at the Atlas Economic Research Foundation (Atlas) in Washington DC. She counts among her highlights visiting the World Bank, meeting leading economists and parliamentarians, and attending seminars and events.

Over six weeks, Kim's experiences included attending a panel discussion on US-China international relations, completing a professional development course in communications, and visiting the American Enterprise Institute, Americans for Tax Reform Foundation, Embassy of Austria, Cato Institute, Library of Congress, Brookings Institution, Georgetown University and George Mason University.

Kim was also able to experience Super Bowl Sunday, go sightseeing in Virginia and shopping in Georgetown, and visit the United States Capitol Building.

The experience, says Kim, encouraged her to explore alternative career paths to those traditionally taken by Economics graduates.

"Your career can be as exciting as what you make of it," Kim said. "There is a very diverse range of opportunities out there, so you can take your degree anywhere and succeed."

Like Kim, Economics student Jiamin Lim worked with Atlas and attended a range of discussions, debates, book launches and other events.

During her final week with Atlas, Jiamin was given the opportunity to write and submit an opinion piece to Atlas' online platform for Francophone Africa, in which she argued that a property rights system would attract foreign investors into developing countries and help alleviate poverty.

Engaging with experts on a range of topics, said Jiamin, allowed her to learn from a different perspective.

"My time at Atlas has added a whole new dimension to my knowledge of how the world works. I have learnt to not accept the dominant discourse and the importance of questioning and listening to others who have opposing views," Jiamin said.

Learn more

Kim completed her internship in February this year, and Jiamin and Helen completed their internships in the mid-year semester break.

More information on the Mannkal Economic Education Foundation's scholarships and bursaries can be found on their website .

Read Helen's blog here and Kim's and Jiamin's blogs here .

Media references

Karen Della Torre (UWA Business School)    (+61 8) 6488 8538
Verity Chia (UWA Business School)             (+61 8) 6488 1346