Former Interns' Experiences

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The research project with UNSW and the University of Waterloo was easily my favorite part of the job.

I spent much of the internship reaching out to senior executives across Indonesia, coordinating interviews, and helping move the research project forward. In the beginning, getting busy executives to respond felt almost impossible, and I quickly realized how much there was to learn. Through a lot of trial and error, feedback, and persistence, I gradually became more comfortable with the process and started to understand what worked. Looking back, it was incredibly rewarding to see that progress and to know that I had been able to contribute to the success of the project.

I also really enjoyed the events hosted by NordCham. They gave me the chance to meet people I would probably never have spoken to otherwise. As a student, having conversations with CEOs, country managers, ambassadors, and entrepreneurs gave me a much better understanding of what international business actually looks like outside the classroom.

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The most obvious skill I developed was outreach.

When I started, very few people replied to my emails or LinkedIn messages. Looking back at some of those first messages, I completely understand why. Over time, with a lot of feedback and even more experimentation, I learned how to write messages that people actually wanted to answer.

Some of the biggest lessons, however, came from Magnus.

One idea that has really stayed with me is not to spend too much time wondering whether every task is your dream job. Instead, focus on doing whatever is in front of you as well as you possibly can. If people know they can rely on you, they'll trust you with bigger responsibilities, and those responsibilities eventually create opportunities you couldn't have planned for in advance.

That completely changed how I think about work. I used to think motivation came first. Now I think pride in your work comes first, and motivation often follows.

“How will this come across?”

The question Magnus would often ask

Another lesson that has stuck with me is something Magnus would often ask: "How will this come across?"

Whether you're writing an email, pitching an idea, or giving feedback, it's easy to think about what you want to say. It's much harder, and much more valuable, to think about how the other person is likely to receive it. I'm still working on that, but it's probably one of the most useful communication lessons I've learned.

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Before arriving in Indonesia, people often told me that business here is relationship-driven. I understood the words, but I don't think I really understood what they meant until I experienced it myself.

Over the past six months, I realised that relationships aren't just something that helps business move faster, they're often the reason business happens in the first place. Building trust takes time, but once that trust exists, conversations become much easier and opportunities begin to appear.

Another thing that stood out was the importance of patience. In Sweden, we're often used to things moving quickly. Indonesia works at a different pace, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Following up isn't seen as pushy in the same way it might be elsewhere. In fact, it's often expected. Some of the interviews and meetings I eventually coordinated only happened after several follow-ups.

One quote I've heard during my time here has really stuck with me: "In retail, the three most important things are location, location, location. In Indonesia, the three most important things are local partner, local partner, local partner."

After spending six months here, I understand exactly why people say that. If I were ever involved in expanding a business into Indonesia, finding the right local partner would probably be the very first thing I'd focus on.

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The internship becomes so much more rewarding when you actively look for opportunities instead of waiting for them to come to you. Go to the networking events, introduce yourself to people, ask questions, and volunteer for projects that seem a little intimidating. Those are usually the ones you'll learn the most from.

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I'd recommend this internship to anyone who's curious and enjoys taking initiative. If you're the kind of person who likes meeting new people, solving problems, and learning by doing, you'll get an enormous amount out of your time here.

Looking back, it's hard to believe how much happened in just six months. I came to Jakarta hoping to gain some international work experience. I left with new skills, lifelong friendships, a much better understanding of how business works in Indonesia, and plenty of memories that I'll carry with me for a long time.

Last word

“Pride in your work comes first, and motivation often follows.”

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One of my favorite events during the internship was a discussion featuring the Chief Economist of Danantara. It offered a unique perspective on Indonesia's economic and political landscape directly from the government side, while also clarifying Danantara's role within it. The audience asked thoughtful, challenging questions, which led to a genuinely engaging discussion. Since the event was held under the Chatham House Rule, I can't share the details, but many participants left deep in thought, and we later received messages describing it as one of our best events. I was proud to have been part of organizing it.

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Living and working in Indonesia also taught me just how different business culture can be.

Coming from Finland, I was used to efficiency being the highest priority. Meetings are expected to have a clear purpose, and building trust often happens alongside doing business. In Indonesia, I found that relationships come first. Trust is built gradually, and investing time in getting to know people is an essential part of doing business rather than something separate from it.

Communication was another eye-opening experience. Indonesia is a much higher-context culture than the Nordics. Messages are often communicated more subtly, and saying a direct "no" is usually avoided. Instead, responses like "Let's circle back to it closer to the date" may actually mean no. At first, I remember thinking that everyone was simply incredibly agreeable. Eventually I realized that I was the foreigner who hadn't yet learned to recognize the more nuanced ways people communicate. It was a humbling lesson in cultural awareness.

Networking also carries a different weight. Business cards are exchanged enthusiastically because relationships are genuinely valuable. Success often depends not only on what you know, but also on who can help you navigate unfamiliar systems and regulations. Especially for Nordic companies entering Indonesia, having trustworthy local partners is almost essential.

“Let’s circle back to it closer to the date.”

Sometimes, that means no

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Beyond cultural differences, I also gained a much better understanding of what makes an organization function effectively.

One thing that impressed me about NordCham was its commitment to documenting knowledge. Instead of relying only on individual experience, successful processes and lessons learned were recorded so future employees could build on them. It sounds simple, but it's something many organizations underestimate. Whenever something works particularly well, or doesn't work at all, that knowledge should be preserved so others don't have to solve the same problems again. We benefit enormously from the people who thought before us, but only if we actually make use of what they learned.

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The internship also completely changed how I think about international business. Before, the global business community felt almost impossibly large. It was easy to think, "How could I ever connect with someone on the other side of the world?" In reality, it's often much simpler than it seems. Sometimes all it takes is finding someone's contact information and sending a message.

I saw this firsthand when we began strengthening relationships with other Finnish chambers around the Asia-Pacific region. Many of us initially assumed there wouldn't be enough value to justify the effort, but after reaching out we discovered that organizations operating in completely different countries were facing remarkably similar challenges from recovering after COVID-19 to navigating geopolitical uncertainty and changing markets. It reminded me that the world is much smaller than we often imagine.

Perhaps the biggest professional lesson I learned was that progress often comes from simply having the courage to ask. Whether it's following up on an email, asking for help, requesting a meeting, or proposing an idea, being proactive opens far more doors than staying silent. People can't say yes to opportunities they never hear about. I realized that confidence isn't about having all the answers, but the willingness to reach out.

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If I could give one piece of advice to the next NordCham intern, it would be this: be curious.

This internship gives you access to people with decades of experience in business, diplomacy, politics, and international trade. How much you learn depends largely on how willing you are to engage. Ask questions. Attend events. Join the social gatherings, even if you don't always feel social that day. Some of the most valuable conversations happen outside formal meetings, and you never know which connection might shape your future career.

Don't be afraid to make your own judgments, either. At NordCham, interns are encouraged to think independently and explain the reasoning behind their ideas. That's an incredibly valuable skill to develop, because in professional life it's rarely enough to simply have a good idea, but also being able to communicate why it works.

I would especially recommend this internship to someone who is open-minded and genuinely interested in cultural exchange. Success in Indonesia requires adaptability, curiosity, and respect for different ways of working. If you're interested in international business, economics, politics, or simply understanding how people work across cultures, you'll find yourself constantly learning.

Looking back, I leave this internship with much more than practical experience. I leave with a broader perspective on business, a deeper appreciation for cultural differences, and the confidence to keep reaching out, asking questions, and embracing opportunities wherever they appear. Sometimes the world really is at your fingertips. You just have to be willing to make the first move.

Last word

“Sometimes the world really is at your fingertips. You just have to be willing to make the first move.”

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Tack

Så stort tack till alla de fantastiska vännerna som har gjort den här resan så otrolig och stort tack till NordCham och Stipendiefonden för svensk utlandsungdom som har gjort denna resa möjlig!

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Jag insåg redan då vilken fantastisk gemenskap, förtroende och utmaning jag får uppleva på Nordiska Handelskammaren. Efter detta har vi anordnat otaligt många spännande event tillsammans.

I mitt sista halvår har jag hjälpt till att arbeta för nordiska företags intressen i Indonesien. Detta genom att samarbeta närmare med lokala myndigheter. Där har min roll varit att boka samt koordinera event/möten med lokala myndigheter. Förutom lärdomar som att skriva ett officiellt brev för audience har jag fått ställa mig själv frågor som: Var parkerar man deras poliseskort? Hur lyfter man nordiska företags problem på ett respektfullt sätt? Hur förhandlar man till så mycket tid för Q&A som möjligt? (fanns en tendens till långrandiga tal)

“Var parkerar man deras poliseskort?”

En av frågorna jag fick ställa mig själv

Några exempel på samarbete var genom Ministry of Immigration och Foreign Affairs men mest uppskattade var ett event med Ministry of Industry. Där företag fick möjligheter att lyfta problem de har med vissa industri/importregler och hitta kontakter för hjälp för att tolka komplexa regulationer.

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Förutom events har min huvuduppgift varit att varje vecka sammanställa marknadsanalyser från våra samarbetspartners. Det har varit spännande att sammanställa experternas syn på en marknad som är svårnavigerad ur ett regulatoriskt perspektiv.

Det är en lärorik period där jag tar med mig erfarenheter från komplexiteten i en gigantisk marknad där politiken ställer utmaningar på företagen och hur viktigt det är att koordinera och samarbeta med olika stakeholders. Att få använda dessa insikter till att skriva marknadsanalyser och ordna insiktsfulla event.

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Tack

Det är alla kollegor, samarbetspartners, vänner och bekanta som gjort detta år fantastiskt.