Two University of Queensland students interned at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in the heart of Sydney’s CBD over the summer break.
Leigh Ferguson and Danika Maxwell secured two of three eight-week internships offered to Australian and New Zealand students each year.
Final-year Journalism student Leigh Ferguson joined the public relations team, while final-year Bachelor of Economics student Danika Maxwell worked with the project and research team.
“This experience has been absolutely invaluable to my future career path, whether it be in journalism or public relations,” Leigh said.
“Having done a lot of travel, international politics is something I’ve always been very interested in, and I would now perhaps like to pursue a career in political journalism or even work as a foreign diplomat.”
Leigh said the internship gave her a greater understanding of governmental structure and media as a whole.
Danika worked with the Project and Research department, researching and preparing briefs and creating policy summaries.
She said the experience improved her international awareness, and cemented her enthusiasm for a policy-based career.
Danika said Chinese New Year festivities had been a highlight of her internship, and she had attended the official launch of celebrations in Sydney.
As a requirement of the internship, Leigh and Danika worked with their New Zealand counterpart on a youth strategy for the Hong Kong Economics and Trade Office, to promote Hong Kong to a youth audience.
“It’s been a great to know that we are contributing to a bigger project to share and provide great opportunities abroad for Aussie and Kiwi youth,” Leigh said.
Danika said she encouraged other University of Queensland students to apply for future Hong Kong Economics and Trade Office internships.
“It’s a great experience as it’s a unique organisation and role – something you wouldn’t find anywhere else.”
Media: UQ communications Kate Bishop, 3346 7887 or k.bishop3@uq.edu.au.
