We chat with two Grade 11 students at Stamford American School Hong Kong about their recent involvement in the school’s marketing internship in Hong Kong, and what they gained from this work experience programme.
Evelyn C, a student at Stamford American School Hong Kong
Tell us about yourself!
I’m Evelyn – I enjoy basketball and ice skating, and I’m also a proud member of my high school volleyball team. My passion for art and graphic design runs deep, but what truly drives me is cooking.
Business management is my favourite subject at school, as it fuels my ambition to become an entrepreneur. I dream of merging my love for cooking with my artistic talents to launch my own restaurant that promotes a healthy, sustainable diet while emphasising the importance of eco-friendly eating practices.
What was your marketing internship like?
It was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to engage with various marketing elements. I learned about the “seven Ps” of marketing strategy and had the opportunity to design promotional materials such as posters and social media content. I also developed skills in drafting messages and articles with specific purposes and gained valuable tips for creating effective visual materials.
It’s been a fun-filled journey overall, but not without challenges – especially when it comes to delivering effective messaging and graphics with limited wording and resources. Event logistics also present difficulties – considering various factors and preparing contingency plans.
I’ve learned much from my mentor, especially growing my communication, writing and collaboration skills. I think doing an internship in Hong Kong is worth it because of the experience and knowledge you gain from professionals. It’s been an inspiration and set me on the right track for my entrepreneurship goal.
Have these internship experiences or your other experiences at school inspired you to pursue marketing? Or will you follow another career path?
Marketing, particularly digital marketing, has always been on my mind as I nurture my goal of launching my own eco-friendly restaurant brand. I have a deep passion for food, viewing it as a cultural exchange that connects us as global citizens. Through culinary experiences, we connect on emotional levels – I still remember my excitement at trying sushi at the age of three!
I showcased my passion during my Grade 10 Sophomore project by creating a cookbook that highlighted various cuisines and included elements of my artistic abilities. And I also worked as a summer intern for a food delivery company, gaining firsthand experience in the logistics of running an F&B business – menu creation, food production, effective packaging and pricing strategies.
What do you like the most about being a Stamford student?
Interacting and connecting with others closely. It’s a small campus and a close community, which lets me get to know other students better. In addition, throughout the years at Stamford, I’ve learned to be resilient and focus on my personal growth.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the year ahead?
As a Senior in high school, I hope to embrace all the opportunities our school expansion presents, enjoy my last year at Stamford, and prepare myself for future pathways and careers.
Do you have a favourite memory from your time so far at Stamford?
One from the past year was my CAS project, where I created and sold phone charms within the school community. I designed the products, promoted the campaign and raised money for charity. The positive feedback and overwhelming number of orders from students and staff brought me great satisfaction and sparked my passion to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams.
Another was my overseas trip to Beijing for a volleyball tournament. It was my first visit to Beijing and not only did I compete in the tournament, but I also had the chance to experience northern Chinese cuisine. The restaurant’s décor, flavours and atmosphere all left a lasting impression on me.
Stamford American student, Shlok P
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Shlok and my hobbies include playing football – I play for the Hong Kong Football Club and also the school’s U16 and U20 teams, where I captain both teams. I’m also really interested in business as I come from a business family – ever since I was young, my dad has been teaching me how to properly run a business and that’s what really sparked my interest in it. Business is also my favourite subject in school – most of the syllabus we cover feels like common sense to me at this point. However, I also find it an interesting and intriguing subject, as so many factors go into making a good business.
What was your marketing internship like?
It was very interesting as I had the opportunity to work with and learn from the professionals in the industry. One of the key reasons I applied for the internship was because, outside of school, my friend and I run an SMMA (social media marketing agency) which has been very successful, and I thought that I could use the knowledge I learned there and apply it to my marketing internship at Stamford. I love how we can use our perspective as students to help promote the school and show outsiders our view on the school.
Do you think doing an internship in Hong Kong is worth it?
I gained a lot from this internship as we went in-depth into how a proper marketing team functions. Also, I learned so many other extra steps to make your work truly great. I got to spend time with an actual marketing team and learn about how they function, how each person has their own role in the team, and how this majorly affects the entire project as a whole.
It was completely worth it to be a part of this internship here at Stamford – it’s been one of the highlights of being a student here.
What do you like the most about being a student at Stamford?
The overall experience of being at this school has been great. I’ve been at Stamford since the first day it opened and I’ve seen the community grow so much.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the year ahead?
I’m excited about the upcoming events we will be organising, such as house tournaments and sports day. And I’m particularly eager to see how the school community evolves along with the journey that lies ahead of me. I believe these experiences will enrich my personal and academic growth, and I look forward to actively participating in shaping our collective future.
What is your favourite memory from your time so far at Stamford?
Being the lead in our musical, Shrek, as I got to perform for all of my teachers and schoolmates. The preparations for the show took months and once I was up on stage it was all worth it. I could hear the laughter from all of the audience and we were shown so much love for it. To this day, kids walk by in school and recognise me as Shrek and talk to me about the show and ask me questions.
About the marketing internship in Hong Kong
This initiative at Stamford allows two Grade 11 students the unique opportunity of bridging classroom learning with real-world work experience in the dynamic field of marketing. Selected via interview, the two interns collaborate on real projects, develop teamwork and communication skills, and gain industry insights during weekly sessions.
The work experience programme fosters essential soft skills like teamwork, problem-solving and effective communication. According to the school, whether the interns are exploring marketing as a potential career path or simply eager to expand their horizons, they leave the programme with practical experience and a deeper understanding of how marketing shapes the world around us.
25 Man Fuk Road, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon
2500 8688 | sais.edu.hk
This article featuring a school’s work experience programme first appeared in Expat Living March 2025. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
