In my department, I was the younger worker and the only intern. An average 8:00 am - 5:00 pm day at work looked like eating breakfast before work, then working on my tasks, and I can't forget to say good morning to my co-worker in the cubicle next to me. We were the only two in our office space, while the rest of the department was a couple of rooms over. Then, I had an hour-long lunch where I would join my co-workers in my department at the company's cafeteria, then a short nap at my desk (which is a part of the work culture in Taiwan) before getting back to work. Once 5:00 pm hit, I would pack my things and run to catch my train back to my district to go back to my campus. On Fridays, I worked from home, this was my life for four months.
My tasks included conducting a survey of pharmaceutical markets in different countries and researching potential business partnerships with companies in those markets. I learned more about international trade by shadowing some of my co-workers. They also helped me practice my Chinese, and I helped them practice their English. I observed it was common to give snacks to co-workers, whenever I went somewhere for the weekend, I always remembered to bring back snacks to hand out to my co-workers.
There were times when days would blend into each other, but some of my favorite memories were touring the company, talking with my co-workers, the leak in the ceiling, and the lovely going away part they had for me. I concluded my time at TBC with a presentation to the General Manager of TBC, the Manager of IBDD, the Vice President of NCU, and another representative of NCU. Being an intern for a Taiwanese company was a wonderful experience for international professional growth and cultural learning.
