My name is Louise Lau, and I did my internship as a Project Coordinator at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce Taipei for one year, from June 2024-2025.
Since I have previously written a half report, you can read more about it here and I will focus more on the second half of my internship in this report.
A bit about my background, I’m originally from Sweden with Chinese heritage and hold a degree in Digital Cultures from Lund University. Through my studies I also spent a transformative year studying at Keio University in Japan, which deepened my passion for East Asia.
At SwedCham Taipei, we are a small team of just two people, the Executive Director and I, which has given me the opportunity to take on a wide range of responsibilities. I’ve been involved in event management, marketing, website maintenance, accounting, and coordinating the Young Professional Network. Working closely with the Executive Director has allowed me to learn directly from their experience and develop a broad skill set.
During my first half of internship, I helped organize major events such as Midsummer, the Welcome Dinner for Exchange Students, the AGM, and our biggest social event, the Crayfish Party 🦞. I also created video materials, did event photography, and completed a separate internship at IKEA Taiwan, where I learned about their sustainability efforts.
I attended the 40th Sweden-Taiwan Joint Business Council Meeting, took part in member visits, and gave presentations on Swedish culture at universities in Taiwan, all while getting to use and improve my Chinese in a professional setting.
Outside of work, I’ve loved exploring Taiwan’s beautiful nature and rich culture, noticing its contrasts and connections with both China and Japan. I even ticked off a few bucket-list experiences like surfing and photographing musicians at the Taipei Gypsy Jazz Festival.
In the second half of my internship, we also organized various networking events such as SwedCham Connect and All-Chambers Taipei Connect, which provided valuable opportunities for networking across different fields.
During my time there, I learned more about how to lead an organization and work with stakeholders by working closely with the executive director. Furthermore, I gained experience in the entire event management process, including finding venues, securing sponsorships, and marketing events.
During my time at SwedCham, we organized two annual general meetings. Through this experience, I learned how to navigate the bureaucracy in Taiwan, particularly when handling official documents. In addition, through frequent visits to the bank and building a good relationship with the staff, I also learned how Taiwan’s banking system works. Taiwan still uses bank books and stamps, which is quite similar to Japan. I would say I gained an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of this system, as well as a deeper appreciation for Taiwanese culture and the importance of stamps. With that said, I now even have my own stamp.
The Young Professional board has organized a variety of events and very happy that we have had the opportunity to collaborate with different member companies.
During this internship, I also served as the chairperson for the Young Professionals. I was very fortunate to have a fantastic YP board, full of fun and kind individuals with diverse and interesting backgrounds, which made our events engaging and helped drive the Young Professionals Network. Throughout my time as chairperson, I developed a lot in my leadership skills and discovered a strong interest in leadership management. This role taught me how to recognize each individual’s strengths and challenge them to step outside of their comfort zones.
Without the YP board, our events at SwedCham would not have been possible. I want to extend a huge thank you to all the individuals who have been building the YP Network with me since day one. I am also glad to see that many continue to stay on the YP board to carry forward its mission!
Alongside planning events and handling other tasks, the SwedCham team also conducted visits to member companies to better understand their needs and explore how SwedCham can support them further. For me, it was interesting to learn more about their businesses in Taiwan.
Towards the end of my internship at SwedCham, we welcomed a summer intern, and I began the handover process to her. We also assisted with the Business Climate Survey Launch event as part of Team Sweden’s efforts.
In the second half of my internship, I had the opportunity to celebrate the Lunar New Year and also spent more time traveling around Taiwan during the holidays. I particularly enjoyed Kaohsiung and decided to visit again, this time exploring XiaoLiu Qiu Island, where I tried scuba diving and saw many cute turtles. Since Taiwan is an island, I have been able to try many water sports, and obtaining a scuba diving certification is now on my bucket list.
Another recommendation is biking from Dadaocheng to Tamsui, the scenery along the way is beautiful. Of course, I cannot forget to recommend exploring the many vibrant night markets.
I would personally describe Taipei as a cozy, small capital. It is vibrant yet close to nature and easily accessible by bike to various locations. The frequent MRT service also makes exploring the city much easier.
Reflecting on my year in Taiwan, I feel very fortunate to have met so many inspiring and amazing people. Like many other interns will say, and I can definitely attest to it. I have grown both professionally and personally. Through this internship, I have gained valuable knowledge and skills, but most importantly, I have built lasting friendships and gained insights into the work I enjoy.
Now that my internship is completed, I have reflected on my experiences and realized that I would love to return to Asia, whether as a tourist or under other circumstances. Life is long and full of journeys. For now, my chapter in Asia has closed, but I look forward to opening another chapter there in the future.
With that said, I warmly recommend this experience to anyone interested in working abroad and exploring a new culture. I especially encourage doing an internship in Taiwan. Given the geopolitical situation, I have learned a lot about navigating different situations. Additionally, Taiwan’s rich history, shaped by its interactions with different countries, makes it an interesting place to learn and grow.
If you want to gain hands-on experience in another country, this is an opportunity you should definitely consider!
Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to Executive Director Pojanath Chao, former CEO Keli Yen, and the Team Sweden colleagues for their guidance and support throughout my internship.
From the bottom of my heart I want to extend my thankfulness to Ulrika Torberger for the support and the Scholarship Fund for Swedish Youth Abroad for making this memorable chapter in Asia possible!
